India to treat any future act of terrorism as an act of war

In a major strategic move, India will now treat any future act of terrorism on its soil as an Act of War - a clear warning to adversaries, particularly Pakistan, in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and the unfolding Operation Sindoor.

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This landmark decision, taken at the highest levels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, signals a new threshold in India’s national security doctrine, top government sources said.

The reclassification of terror from a “proxy threat” to an “act of war” reflects both the changing nature of conflict and the government's resolve to adopt a zero-tolerance policy.

The decision to label future acts of terror as acts of war effectively closes the door on the “strategic restraint” approach India has maintained for decades.

"This is not just a security shift-it is a signal to the world that India will no longer absorb terror strikes as isolated events," sources said.

The message is unambiguous: India will retaliate against terror not as law enforcement but with military force.

With this doctrinal shift, India has raised the cost of cross-border terrorism dramatically-politically, diplomatically, and militarily.

This new policy doctrine will likely redefine India’s response matrix not just against Pakistan-backed terror groups but also as a broader strategic posture in the region.