“Be prepared for war, if you want peace, which flows from the barrel of the gun.”— A military quote.
At Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022, in his one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Putin: “I know that today’s era is not of war and we have spoken to you many times on the phone that democracy, diplomacy and dialogue are such things that touch the world …”
Both leaders had met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) summit meeting of member states. The above advisory remark of Prime Minister Modi came in the wake of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The cause of the war was Ukraine seeking NATO membership, which was considered by Russia as a direct security threat.
It is believed that Vladimir Putin had politely told the Indian Prime Minister: “We want all of this to end as soon as possible. We will keep you abreast of what is happening there.” It was like telling Narendra Modi that Peace was NOT an option when your national existence was at stake. In other words, it was to say: War is a Harsh Reality of Geopolitics. It is the confabulations of geopolitics that push a nation into military conflict, or war.
Cut to April 22, 2025! Pahalgam carnage takes place, where Pakistan-backed terrorists gunned down 28 tourists in the name of religion. The next day, April 23, Narendra Modi thundered from Madhubani district in Bihar, “Today, from the soil of Bihar, I want to say to the whole world that India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist, supporter and conspirator. We’ll pursue them to the end of the Earth. They will be punished beyond their imagination.” It was a direct call to initiate a war, but in its variable forms, from kinetic to non-kinetic means. All the same, a bugle for war was sounded.
Nine Terrorist Training Camps Hit
Exactly 15 days after the Pahalgam incident, precisely on May 7, 2025, India launched its ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terrorist training camps in Pakistan both across the LoC (Line of Control) and IB (International Border). Five of these camps were in PoK across LoC and four were in Pakistan. Operation Sindoor drew its name from vermillion which married Hindu brides put on their parted hair. It was significant to give the message to these Islamist terrorists and also to Pakistan that ‘Hindus’ would not be cowed down by brutal killings of Hindu husbands. India will strike at the perpetrators of terrorism at whichever corner of the earth they hide.
What is significant about Operation Sindoor is that the strike hit at terrorist camps deep inside Pakistan, such as Bahawalpur, Sialkot and Muridke. It is telling Pakistan that it cannot hide anymore under ‘nuclear threat blackmail’ after carrying out dastardly acts of terror. India carried out Operation Sindoor with deep thinking and tremendous deliberations. It has achieved an element of surprise by announcing ‘mock drills’ two days before the D Day. Pakistan was still expecting it a week after the mock drill practice.
India launched its ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terrorist training camps in Pakistan both across the LoC (Line of Control) and IB (International Border). Five of these camps were in PoK across LoC and four were in Pakistan
Also, Operation Sindoor exposed Pakistan’s air defence system. It is alleged that Pakistan has a Chinese-made HQ9 Air Defence System. But it was found wanting. It may be noted that India tested this air defence system three years ago (March 2022), when a BRAHMOS missile, without payload, had penetrated Pakistan air space accidentally. Pakistan must think twice before retaliation as it will be a call to escalation, with dangerous consequences.
Pakistan is already globally isolated. It has no backers other than Türkiye. India took measures to brief most of the world leaders. President Vladimir Putin has openly supported India in its right to punish the perpetrators of terrorism — which he knew was Pakistan. He also knew that Prime Minister Modi was bent upon engaging Pakistan in a military conflict. In his heart, President Putin would have said, “Mr Modi! Isn’t it an era of war, when your own security and integrity were threatened?”
A Geopolitical Lesson of History
It is the geopolitical lesson of history that those who make lofty statements are the ones, who breach the underlying principle of morally and ethically correct norms. In simple words, when one is playing a ‘geopolitical game’, it is inadvisable to advise others as to “how to play”.
Nations act and react in their best interests. A simple question on the Pahalgam carnage was how India would punish the backers of the perpetrators of the terrorist act. TRF (The Resistance Front), who had claimed responsibility, is a Pakistan-based adjunct of LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba). It is undoubtedly the creation of the Pakistan Army for two objectives:
Nations act and react in their best interests. A simple question on the Pahalgam carnage was how India would punish the backers of the perpetrators of the terrorist act. TRF (The Resistance Front), who had claimed responsibility, is a Pakistan-based adjunct of LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba)
First, discouraging tourists from visiting Kashmir, with an aim to damage the economy of J&K would disallow the psychological shift taking place in Kashmiri Muslim minds. Prosperity is the antithesis of religious stranglehold.
Secondly, triggering Hindu-Muslim riots in India and generating hatred against Kashmir and its Muslim population. This was the theme behind Gen Asim Munir’s address to overseas Pakistanis on April 16, 2025. He was telling Kashmiris that Hindu tourists were not acceptable as Hindus and Muslims cannot live together. Besides, he was indirectly asking Indian Muslims (some 200 million) to seek ‘Another Pakistan’ within India.
Focus on General Asim Munir’s Head
These are dangerous thoughts for the existence and integrity of India. Terrorist organisations of Pakistan were mere ‘pawns’ of the Pakistani army and its chief, who were a threat to India. It has been a long-term existential threat to India. If India has to bring to justice the perpetrators of Pahalgam, it ought to focus on General Asim Munir and his head.
Operation Sindoor is also India’s demonstration of the capability of its military power. It is learnt that the main weapons used in Operation Sindoor were UAVs or what they call high-tech drones. Strangely, India has now demonstrated the lethality, accuracy and range of its UAVs. This operation is a technology demonstration too. India is now boasting and swarming with BVR (Beyond Visual Range)/Stand-off weapon systems, which can take on any adversary without crossing borders.
The ball is now in Pakistan’s court whether to escalate or de-escalate the situation. If it decides to escalate, it should know about the consequences. This would mean a ‘full-scale war’. India, then, has other options as well. Durand Line too would be set in flames with support to Pakhtoons and Baloch. India would openly support the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF)
Ball is in Pakistan’s Court Now
The ball is now in Pakistan’s court whether to escalate or de-escalate the situation. If it decides to escalate, it should know about the consequences. This would mean a ‘full-scale war’. India, then, has other options as well. Durand Line too would be set in flames with support to Pakhtoons and Baloch. India would openly support the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF). In fact, TTP has heartily welcomed India’s Operation Sindoor. In other words, Pakistan would be endangering its current form and existence, if it escalates the war.
If it is a full-blown war, then nuclear exchange cannot be ruled out. Both India and Pakistan ought to know the consequences of a nuclear exchange. Ironically, emotionally charged and religiously blinded people do not see logic. Pakistan’s military establishment is a carbon copy of religious and emotional blindness. They are not bothered about the consequences of nuclear threats, even if they were wiped out from this earth. They think of ‘72 Hoors’.
Keeping the War Under Nuke Threshold
Therefore, India should not take the nuclear threat lightly. It implies India should adopt a policy, to keep the war under the ‘Nuclear threshold’. It would mean doing what they say in Hindi: साँप भी मर जाए, लाठी भी न टूटे, which means achieving the desired result without using any force or resources. However, it does not mean preventing India from exercising its nuclear option. India should make it known to the world that it would use its full might if Pakistan even contemplates using low-yield nuclear devices.
This is the war India has to fight with full might but with caution. Hydra head of terrorism must be destroyed before it can bite India. And, lest you ignore, your existence is under question
At the same time, India must control the conflict in such a manner that it was manageable with conventional weapons, which demanded dismantling the Pakistani army and screening General Zia Ul Haque inducted religious bigots, as army officers. General Asim Munir is one such person. To do so, India needs to extensively use Non-Kinetic means both within and outside Pakistan. The services of a political outfit, the PTI of Imran Khan, who is currently in jail, can be effectively used.
Hydra Head of Terror Must be Destroyed
India-Pakistan enmity/animosity sustains itself because of the Pakistan Army. The day it was cut to size, not only India but the whole world would have a sigh of relief. Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the USA, Hasan Haqqani, blames the Pakistan Army for this enmity and Kashmir issue. He maintains that the Pakistan Army got a 33% share of the British Indian Army, which was excessive in terms of 17% population and 19% geography. Further, according to him, Kashmir was a pretext to control and rule over Pakistan. Therefore, India’s target should be the Pakistan Army and its ‘Mulla dominated’ cadres. It must be made to explode from within.
Finally, Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu said long ago that the acme of skill lay in carving out victory without firing a bullet and it was NO victory if it was achieved at the cost of massive loss of life and material. So, this is the war India has to fight with full might but with caution. Hydra head of terrorism must be destroyed before it can bite India. And, lest you ignore, your existence is under question — poisonous fangs are waiting to sting your body politics.
-An ex-NDA and Wellington Staff College graduate, Col Rajinder Singh is a renowned author and security analyst. He has authored four books, two individually and two in collaboration. His best-selling books are Kashmir – A Different Perspective and The ULFA Insurgency. The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
