Team News Riveting
New Delhi, May 10
In a significant shift in its stance on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, India has hardened its posture and declared that any future terrorist attack on its soil will be treated and responded to as an act of war.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. Besides Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, the armed forces chiefs, and other senior officials were present in the meeting.
By declaring terrorism an act of war, India aims to send a strong message to Pakistan and its proxies, which has been backing terrorism from its soil. Since the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s creation, Pakistan has pursued proxy wars against India, showing no restraint. Sources said the situation would be handled differently going forward, noting that terrorism will be considered a breach of sovereignty and addressed accordingly
The announcement comes amid intense hostilities with Pakistan, where both nations have been engaged in an escalating military conflict.
In the early hours of Saturday, India responded to a series of attacks launched by Pakistan by destroying six Pakistani airbases. The targeted airbases include Murid Airbase, Rafiqui Airbase, Nur Khan (Chaklala) Airbase, Rahimyar, Sukkur (Bholari), and Chunian Airbase. These precision strikes were carried out by Indian fighter jets, hitting Pakistani military targets, including radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army confirmed the successful operation, known as Operation Sindoor, during a joint press briefing with Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs officials. The Indian Air Force launched retaliatory strikes after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, using high-speed missiles, drones, and fighter aircraft.
Pakistan’s attacks targeted military bases, including those in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, and even included strikes on hospitals and school premises at airbases in Srinagar, Awantipura, and Udhampur. “The Pakistan military has shown an irresponsible tendency by targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools in airbases,” said Colonel Qureshi.
The Indian armed forces swiftly repelled the attacks, with limited damage reported to Indian Air Force stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhuj, and Bathinda. Despite the damage, Indian forces successfully neutralized the threats using precision ammunition and air-launched weapons. Indian officials also noted that Pakistan had been observed moving troops into forward areas along the border, further escalating tensions.
“Pakistan continues its provocations, using drones, long-range weapons, and fighter aircraft to target military installations,” said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh while briefing media persons. In a show of resolve, India has vowed to continue responding decisively to any future aggression, with the policy shift marking a critical moment in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. As intermittent firing continues along the Line of Control (LoC), both countries are on high alert, with diplomatic and military tensions mounting.
Pakistan Army has been observed to be moving its troops towards forward areas, indicating an offensive intent to further escalation. Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness, and all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded proportionately. Indian armed forces reiterated their commitment to non-escalation, provided the Pakistan side reciprocates,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, officials on Saturday confirmed that the first strike of ‘Operation Sindoor’ eliminated five high-value terrorists, including two brothers-in-law of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. Among terrorists neutralised in Indian response after the April 22 Pahalgam attack is Mudassar Khadian Khas alias Mudassar aliasAbu Jundal, affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Toiba and in-charge of Markaz Taiba, Muridke, which was destroyed in the Indian strikes.
