​Strokes of justice: on ‘Operation Sindoor’ and after

India carried out precision military strikes across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir early on Wednesday. Targets included Bahawalpur, the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Muridke, a nerve centre of the Lashkar-e-Taiba — terrorist outfits bred by Pakistan to target India. India said the strikes were to destroy the camps used to train terrorists and to “pre-empt as well as deter” more such cross-border attacks following the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 people were killed by terrorists who identified the targets by their religion. India’s military strikes were “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible”, the government said. In 2019, India had carried out surgical strikes in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in north Pakistan, after the Pulwama terrorist attack. The response this time has been sharper and more resolute. Muridke and Bahawalpur are in Punjab, the heartland of Pakistan’s ruling elite, that has been playing the double game on terrorism. Pakistan has, for decades, used terrorism as a low-cost instrument of war against India, under an umbrella of nuclear blackmail. India has been trying to figure out an appropriate response to this. With Balakot, and now Operation Sindoor, the point is clear — India can have an overt military response in the event of a terrorist attack against it, apart from economic and diplomatic measures. India has also underscored the point that there were no civilian, economic or military targets on Wednesday.

Overt military action in response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism marks a change in India’s strategy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. How this will change Pakistan’s behaviour remains uncertain. The strikes destroyed terrorist bases, but that setback may not be long term, considering the perennial supply of radicalised youths in Pakistan. Pakistan has not only raised terrorists who target India but also harboured Osama bin Laden, the most wanted terrorist for the West, even while it was claiming to be an ally in the war on terror. Pakistan’s character will have to change if it is to behave differently. India has reached out to other countries, and world powers must use their considerable leverage to coerce Pakistan to act responsibly. The retaliatory strikes apart, the investigation into Pahalgam should continue in full vigour and be taken to its logical conclusion. India should also watch out for escalatory moves by Pakistan and be prepared to respond militarily and diplomatically. The Centre on Wednesday pointed out that the terrorists wanted to disturb normalcy in Kashmir and create communal rift in the country. All political parties have supported the military operation. While strengthening the domestic political consensus on the issue, the Centre should also ensure that elements who try to create communal strife and play into the hands of Pakistan are restrained. Any missteps will carry a great risk.