Since that time India has greatly increased the military tensions in its South Asian neighborhood. It previously conducted airstrikes against what it terms “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and in Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Which is why these strikes reportedly on militant sites have received such a quick and strong condemnation from Pakistan. The crisis quickly spiraled out of control, with each nation trading assertions of provocation and counterattack, threatening to destabilize the entire region.
As Indian officials stated, these airstrikes were an important and necessary step in the fight against terrorism coming from over the border. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif asserted that the country has “befittingly retaliated against Indian aggression.” In his statements, Asif emphasized that Pakistan’s forces and citizens are “fully prepared” to confront any threats posed by India.
The conflict escalated further when Pakistan announced that it had downed five Indian aircraft in the dog-fights. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed these reports, stating, “So far, I can confirm you that five Indian aircraft including three Rafale, one SU-30 and one MiG-29 have been shot down, and one Heron drone has been shot down.” He went on to specify that these were defensive actions and only after Indian aircraft had crossed into and bombed Pakistani territory.
Claims of Civilian Casualties
India has insisted its airstrikes targeted only terrorist facilities, but Pakistan has challenged that claim. According to Pakistani officials, the attacks have caused civilian casualties, promising that sacred religious sites such as mosques would not be targeted. Attaullah Tarar, a spokesperson for the Pakistani government, condemned India’s actions, stating, “India has carried out cowardly attacks on innocent civilians and mosques within Pakistan, challenging the honour and pride of this nation.”
Tarar’s comments were indicative of a greater feeling in Pakistan that a strong response was needed. He stated, “The entire nation stands united in prayers and solidarity with our brave officers and soldiers.” Furthermore, he warned that Pakistan reserves the right to respond decisively, asserting, “The enemy will never be allowed to achieve its malicious aims.”
In the face of new Indian military strikes and Pakistan military counterstrikes, Asif made a full-throated call for dialogue. He announced that Pakistan would “certainly” participate in dialogue with India when the acts of aggression end. He further commented on the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, which regulates water sharing between the two countries. Asif accused India of violating the treaty and stressed that Pakistan’s leadership aims to manage the conflict without escalating it to a nuclear level.
Regional Stability Concerns
Regional experts have warned about the consequences of this violent escalation on regional stability. As Raji Pillai Rajagopalan noted here, Pakistan’s leadership has exhibited extraordinary maturity. To be sure, they’ve done a remarkable job of keeping the conflict limited and staving off much worse violence. He further stressed that both countries had a common interest in stopping the confrontation from getting to a nuclear stage.
The Indus Water Treaty, which is pivotal in regulating water resources between India and Pakistan, has come under scrutiny amid the heightened tensions. This important treaty was put on hold by India last April in the wake of a fatal terror attack in India-administered Kashmir. Pakistan responded by suspending it as well. The treaty is as groundbreaking as it is important. It explicitly maps out how the two nations can make the most of the rivers washing through them.
As noted by Amitabh Mattoo, a leading analyst of South Asian affairs, the immediate Pakistan responses are crucial. He said this against the backdrop of what is now over a year of military hostilities and bellicose rhetoric from both sides. He stated, “So much will depend on Pakistan’s response,” implying that the direction of future relations between the two nations hangs in the balance.
A Call for Preparedness
With passions still running high, Pakistani officials are still busy consolidating public support for their ongoing military operations. Tarar stated emphatically, “Now, be prepared. This nation will hold the enemy accountable for every single drop of its martyrs’ blood.” The sentiment of unity among Pakistani citizens involved with the emergency relief efforts seems to be an important part of influencing their government’s reaction.
Indian officials continue to assert that their extremely lethal military campaign is self-justified and proportional, as punishment against the terrorism. Tattoo noted that “Because India has done what it wanted to do — punish the terrorists,” reiterating India’s claims about the rationale behind its airstrikes.
Yet the reality of the situation has created a negative feedback loop. Both countries are clearly prepared to continue with increased military confrontation but both appear open to the possibility of dialogue — albeit under some mutually agreeable preconditions. As Asif stated succinctly about India’s actions, “If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension. But as long as we are under attack and under fire, we have to defend ourselves.”
