Pakistan Must Step Back From the Brink of Worse

India's finely aimed military strikes on terror set-ups leave space for a Pakistani ramp-off. Pakistan's best option is to not do anything that will raise the risk of this escalating into war

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The horrific attack of 22 April by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, took New Delhi's patience past yet another breaking point, the last being in 2019. The Indian military response was aimed squarely at terror set-ups and should be seen not just as retaliatory, but as a calibrated move to secure long-term progress against a significant menace that the subcontinent needs to be rid of. It was part of a well thought-out plan after diplomatic options were exhausted and not a declaration of war. Hours before sunrise on 7 May, Indian armed forces launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and parts of Kashmir under its control. Nine targets were hit under Operation Sindoor, with justice for the widows of Pahalgam victims its domestic signal. For Pakistan, it's a loud message: If it won't act to contain the menace of terrorism, India would. It also signaled that India has the intelligence back-up to conduct such deep strikes.