Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, May 10: India has issued a stern warning to Pakistan that any future terror attack on Indian soil will be considered an Act of War, sources said on Saturday.
The warning is significant as Pakistan has been launching drone and missile attacks on military installations and civilian areas in northern India for the last three nights and continued even after day-break on Saturday. Nearly all of them have been intercepted by the robust Indian air defence network.
Any act of terror which would be considered a declaration of war would include bombings, firing, flight hijacking, and cyber, biological or chemical attacks. These include attacks on government buildings, military camps and institutions.
With this decision, the Government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to draw red lines against terror incidents and makes clear its intention to firmly respond to the perpetrators and conspirators, in what is seen as a message to Pakistan – a country linked to various terrorist groups involved in targeting Indians.
The hardline posture marks a significant shift in India’s counter-terror doctrine. New Delhi has made it clear that it will not hesitate to respond militarily to any attack, anywhere in India. This huge messaging by the Narendra Modi government comes after Pakistan sought de-escalation in tension with India after being heavily pounded by the Indian Armed Forces in response to Islamabad’s brazen drone and missile strikes over three consecutive nights, starting May 7.
Sources revealed that Islamabad has conveyed interest in a Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level meeting with India to explore ways to lower tensions. India’s warning was not an escalation, but a clear red line drawn in response to Pakistan’s repeated acts of aggression.
An Act of War is defined as any armed assault or use of force that threatens a nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, or the safety of its people. The development implies that any future terrorist attack in India by Pakistan will be seen as waging a war.
Pakistan seems to have lowered down its war cry after all its efforts to cause any damage to India were foiled by the Indian defence forces. Pakistan launched ‘Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos,’ which was swiftly neutralised by the Indian military through coordinated strikes on major cities and multiple airbases across Pakistan.
After the US engaged both India and Pakistan on Friday night for de-escalation, Pakistan foreign minister Ishaq Dar said his country would “consider stopping here” if India halted its military action. He also expressed hope for future dialogue, following calls for restraint from several international players.
Yet, Indian intelligence suggests that even as Pakistan speaks of peace, it continues to fuel unrest through proxy terror activity. Signals have reportedly been sent to terrorists operating in Kashmir to launch fresh attacks, possibly to divert the attention of Indian forces engaged along the northern and western borders. “Desperate Pakistan is also goading for a fidayeen attack to distract security forces,” sources said.
The current crisis began when India launched “Operation Sindoor” in the early hours of May 7, avenging the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. In retaliation, the Pakistani military attempted to strike Indian cities and military bases using drones and missiles the same night. The Indian Army and Air Force responded with precision strikes deep inside Pakistan, targeting sites in Islamabad, Lahore, and Sialkot.
On May 9 night, Pakistan fired several armed drones and six ballistic missiles into the Indian territory. One of the Fatah-II missiles was reportedly aimed at New Delhi, but was shot down in Haryana’s Sirsa, saving hundreds of lives in the country. In response, India hit Pakistan’s air force bases in Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Rafiqi Airbase in Punjab’s Shorkot, and Murid Airbase in Punjab’s Chakwal, striking a huge blow to the Pakistani military.
The role of the Pakistani army in supporting terrorists to launch attacks against India became even more evident on May 7 when they stood up in defence of terror infrastructure hit by the Indian missiles as part of “Operation Sindoor.”
Indian military and intelligence sources pointed to irrefutable evidence that elements within the Pakistan Army, particularly those connected to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), were providing logistical support, safe havens, training, and financial backing to terrorist groups operating in PoK. The proximity of some of the terrorist camps to known military installations and cantonments reinforced suspicions that they were being deliberately shielded, sources said.
In several cases, terrorists were seen using Pakistani army infrastructure as cover or enjoying unfettered access to restricted zones, they said, adding that despite repeated international appeals, the Pakistani establishment had done little to dismantle these networks – a passive tolerance that, in India’s view, amounted to active collaboration.
India has sought not only to destroy physical infrastructure but also to internationally expose the duality of the Pakistan Army, which presented itself as a responsible actor on global platforms while covertly nurturing violent non-State actors, sources said.
