Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has stated that after the Pahalgam terror attack, the nation is calling for military action against Pakistan, and some form of visible military response is now inevitable. The tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the attack, which resulted in the killing of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.
Describing the situation as part of a "long pattern" that has been unfolding over the past 25 years, Tharoor pointed out that Pakistan continuously denies any responsibility for terror attacks in India, even though it is known to train and arm terrorists across the border.
He explained, "It’s very clear that there is a pattern: people are encouraged, trained, armed, and often guided from across the border. Then Pakistan denies all responsibility. Eventually, responsibility is established and proven, including by foreign intelligence agencies."
The former diplomat recalled past instances when India retaliated against Pakistan after major terror attacks, including the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack. He speculated that this time, Pakistan might face a more severe response from India.
"After Uri, the government conducted a surgical strike across the border, and after Pulwama, there was the Balakot airstrike. Today, I think we are going to see more than that. It is clear that we have a range of options—diplomatic, economic, intelligence-sharing, covert, and overt actions. Some visible military response is unavoidable," said Tharoor. He added, "The nation is demanding it and expecting it. No one knows what it will be, where it will be, or when it will be, but I am convinced there will be some response."
Tharoor also addressed Pakistan Peoples Party chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's controversial statement, where he had said "blood will flow" in response to India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty.
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"This is just inflammatory rhetoric. Pakistanis must understand they simply cannot kill Indians with impunity. We don’t want to do anything to Pakistanis. But if they do something to us, then they must be prepared for a response. If blood is going to flow, it will possibly flow more on their side than ours," Tharoor asserted.
The deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday, often referred to as "Mini Switzerland" for its scenic beauty, marked the deadliest strike since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Preliminary investigations have pointed to a terror group associated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba being behind the attack.
Relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated further, with both countries taking retaliatory actions. India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, while Pakistan, accused of being a "global epicenter of terrorism," has ended all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement.
Tensions along the Line of Control have escalated, with Pakistan regularly violating the ceasefire, contributing to the further strain in relations between the two neighbouring countries.
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