Resolve yet Restrained

Pakistan's nuclear bluff must be exposed, its terror factories dismantled, and terrorists, their facilitators, handlers, and supporting ecosystems, must be tracked down and neutralized, suggests Atanu Pattanaik

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THE Pahalgam massacre was a challenge to test the resolve of Bharat. Operation Sindoor has responded to that challenge while simultaneously demonstrating a characteristic restraint befitting a mature civilization.

The terrorists had a clear agenda and a well-rehearsed plan of execution. Men were pulled aside, asked to recite the Kalma, and double-checked by forcing them to pull their pants down for positive identification before being shot in cold blood in front of their wives and children. "Go, tell Modi," one of the terrorists said after shooting a man dead in front of his wife.

The Prime Minister has responded, with Operation Sindoor. But not before allowing a 13-day period of rituals set aside by Hindus for grieving, recollection, and ceremonies. This period gave family members the time to grieve, seek solace, and honour the path of the departed soul. The symbolic goodbye, the last farewell to the departed, was over. It was now time for retribution. The pain and anguish of a billion people had to be addressed.