South Asia on edge after ‘missile diplomacy, nuclear brinkmanship’
Pakistan, India stand on the brink of all-out war
COMMENT
May 7, 2025
SINCE the brutal killing of 26 Hindus in the scenic Pahalgam region last month, India has yet to produce credible evidence implicating Pakistan in the attack. Nevertheless, it has consistently pointed the finger at Islamabad while showing no willingness to engage in an international investigation — an option repeatedly proposed by Pakistan.
In a dramatic escalation, the early hours of Wednesday saw New Delhi launch missile strikes on what it termed "militant camps" situated in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, purportedly in retaliation for the killings in Occupied Kashmir. This action was particularly reckless, given that both countries possess nuclear arsenals.
Inciting armed conflict under the shadow of nuclear deterrence is the hallmark of a demagogue, not the conduct of a responsible statesman. In contrast, Pakistan has maintained a consistent and public position: it would not initiate hostilities but would respond with greater force if provoked.
According to official sources, Indian missiles struck multiple locations across Punjab and Azad Kashmir — including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad — in the early hours of Wednesday. Approximately two dozen civilians were killed in the strikes, and critical infrastructure, including mosques and a hydroelectric facility, sustained damage.
Pakistan responded swiftly and decisively. In a rapid and coordinated counteroffensive, Pakistani forces inflicted significant damage on Indian targets. Hostilities commenced around 1am, and by 3am a federal minister had announced that a brigade headquarters, several forward posts, and at least three Indian aircraft had been destroyed. Within another three hours, it was confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had shot down a total of five Indian jets and an unmanned aerial vehicle.
However, a key concern remains: Pakistan’s air defence systems were unable to intercept all incoming missiles. Strengthening these capabilities should be a strategic priority once the present hostilities subside.
National Security Committee’s response
Following the initial exchange of fire, Pakistan’s National Security Committee convened to assess the situation. After thorough deliberations, it authorised the armed forces to carry out proportional responses to India’s unprovoked aggression against civilian targets.
In a strongly-worded statement, the committee condemned the Indian strikes as “unprovoked, cowardly, and unlawful acts of war,” reaffirming Pakistan’s inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The Prime Minister, Defence Minister, military chiefs, and other senior officials called on the international community to hold India accountable for what they described as a deliberate escalation with destabilising regional implications.
The committee confirmed that the PAF had successfully downed five Indian fighter jets and one drone during defensive operations. It also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to respond decisively to any future acts of aggression.
The tone and content of the committee’s statement suggest that another round of hostilities may be imminent. So, the spectre of war continues to loom over the subcontinent.
We can only hope — and pray — that the two sides do not allow tensions to spiral into an all-out war. As has been underscored repeatedly, both India and Pakistan possess substantial nuclear stockpiles. In such a scenario, there should be no justification for the use of even a single nuclear weapon.