In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7—well past midnight—India launched a precise, 23-minute military operation targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These locations were reportedly strongholds of two of the world’s most notorious terror groups: Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Indian Rafale jets deployed SCALP and HAMMER missiles in the strikes, in what appeared to be a retaliatory act not only against the recent Pahalgam attack, but against a long history of terror incidents—Red Fort, Parliament, Mumbai train blasts, Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama—stretching back to the Kargil conflict.

According to Indian government sources, over 100 militants were killed in the strikes. Pakistan launched a retaliatory attack using drones and missiles, reportedly aimed at as many as 15 cities across northern India. The Indian government stated that all incoming threats were intercepted, primarily using its S-400 air defence systems.

India then escalated further, crossing deeper into Pakistani territory than ever before. It neutralized an air defence radar installation in Lahore and conducted operations in sites at Sialkot and even near Islamabad.

This marks a significant shift in India’s military posture—from punitive strikes to potentially pre-emptive warfare. As the lines blur between militants, soldiers, and civilians, critical questions emerge: Is this the new normal in India’s security doctrine? How long can Pakistan withstand a prolonged conflict, economically and militarily? Will China’s support to Pakistan—currently limited to weapons supply—expand into something more direct? And, crucially, what diplomatic or military paths remain open for de-escalation before the region tips into broader instability?

Host Anirban Chowdhury discusses with ET’s Manu Pubby and Hakim Irfan Rashid

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