Ceasefire after Pahalgam attack: A strategic pause or tactical error?

The sudden announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following weeks of escalating tensions has stirred deep public emotion and debate. Many, stunned by the development, are trying to decipher the rationale behind this move—especially after the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 27 Hindu pilgrims.

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Reflecting on history, the author draws parallels to Chanakya's wisdom—“destroy your enemy completely, or they will return stronger”—and Lord Krishna's prediction that diplomacy with the unrighteous would fail. These historical lenses are used to frame the ceasefire as a possible strategic maneuver rather than an act of surrender.

The piece contends that while India's opposition parties are likening the situation to the 1971 war that birthed Bangladesh, they fail to recognise the stark differences. Bangladesh's secession was rooted in an indigenous liberation movement with India's support. In contrast, Pakistan continues to be accused of systematically nurturing terror networks.