Commodore Raghu R Nair, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh & Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Hours before the ceasefire was announced, India had warned that any future terrorist attack would be treated as an ‘Act of War’ and responded to accordingly

India has drawn a decisive red line in its long-standing conflict with Pakistan, declaring that any future terrorist attack on Indian soil will henceforth be treated as an act of war. This stern warning, delivered in the wake of Operation Sindoor and a series of intense cross-border hostilities, marks a fundamental shift in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine and rules of engagement with its nuclear-armed neighbour.

India made it clear to the world: it will not seek anyone’s permission to defend its people. The Indian response served as a global signal — terrorists and their masterminds will find no safe haven. Hours before the ceasefire was announced, India had warned that any future terrorist attack would be treated as an Act of War and responded to accordingly — a direct message to Pakistan to rein in its actions going forward.

The current crisis was triggered by a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 civilians and reignited tensions rooted in decades of animosity between the two nations. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist camps and military infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These strikes reportedly hit at least six Pakistani cities, resulting in significant casualties and damage to military assets.

Pakistan responded to India’s strikes with a barrage of drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military and civilian infrastructure, including attempts to strike major Indian cities and airbases. Notably, one missile aimed at New Delhi was intercepted and destroyed over Haryana, averting a potential mass casualty event. In turn, India’s military conducted precision strikes on several key Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan, Rafiqi, and Murid, crippling Pakistan’s offensive capabilities.

Despite diplomatic efforts and a US-mediated ceasefire agreement announced on May 10, hostilities persisted, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire and continuing cross-border attacks. Indian officials asserted that Pakistan repeatedly breached the new understanding, prompting India to remain on high alert and ready to defend its sovereignty.

On May 10, the Indian government formally announced a major shift in its security posture: any future act of terror originating from Pakistani soil will be considered an act of war, warranting a direct and potentially military response. This redefined doctrine is intended to deter Pakistan-based terror groups and their state sponsors by signalling that India will no longer differentiate between proxy attacks and conventional military aggression.

A top government official stated, “Any future act of terror in India will be considered an act of war against the country and will be responded to accordingly,” underscoring a readiness to invoke self-defence provisions under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The escalation has led to the downgrading of diplomatic relations, the closure of schools and colleges in border states, and heightened security across northern India. Pakistan’s foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, indicated a willingness to de-escalate if India halted further military action, but warned that any new strikes would provoke a response. Meanwhile, Indian intelligence reports suggest that Pakistan continues to support proxy terror activities in Kashmir, potentially preparing for new attacks to distract Indian forces.

The severity of the recent conflict-the most intense in nearly three decades-has raised international alarm, especially given the nuclear capabilities of both countries. The United States and other global actors have called for restraint, mediating ceasefire talks and urging both sides to avoid further escalation.

India’s declaration that future terror attacks will be treated as acts of war fundamentally alters the strategic calculus in South Asia. This hardline stance is a direct response to repeated provocations and is intended to deter further cross-border terrorism by holding the Pakistani state accountable for actions by groups operating from its territory. As both sides maintain high alert and continue to trade accusations, the risk of further escalation remains, with the region and the world closely watching for the next move.

Agencies