The PM’s message was clear, resolute, and unambiguous. The Indian government would not allow the blood of innocent civilians to be spilled in vain. This declaration marked not only a turning point in India’s internal security doctrine but also a strategic recalibration of its regional counter-terrorism posture.
The brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 23, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians—25 Indian tourists and one Nepalese national—has emerged as a defining moment in India’s ongoing war against terrorism. The serene Baisaran Valley, known for its beauty and tranquillity, was turned into a graveyard by a calculated and heinous act perpetrated by terrorists allegedly affiliated with the group Kashmir Resistance—a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took centre-stage to reaffirm India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and unveiled a renewed national commitment to identifying, isolating, and eliminating terror threats.
In a powerful statement delivered while addressing a rally in Bihar, PM Modi said, “India will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth.” His message was clear, resolute, and unambiguous. The Indian government would not allow the blood of innocent civilians to be spilled in vain. This declaration marked not only a turning point in India’s internal security doctrine but also a strategic recalibration of its regional counter-terrorism posture.
Shortly after the attack, PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Minister Amit Shah, and top officials from India’s intelligence and defence establishments. Emerging from the meeting, the Prime Minister gave a direct order to deploy the “full spectrum of India’s counter-terror capabilities.” This involved ramping up intelligence-led operations, increasing ground surveillance, and launching targeted counter-terror missions across sensitive regions in Jammu and Kashmir. Modi’s directive was not just a call to action but a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens, defending its borders, and responding to terrorism with full force.
One of the most critical aspects of India’s counter-terror approach post-Pahalgam has been the emphasis on accountability—not only of terrorists but also of the states and networks that shelter and support them. PM Modi, without naming Pakistan directly in his initial statement, signaled India’s intent to hold sponsors of terror accountable through every diplomatic, economic, and if necessary, kinetic channel available to the state. The government promptly suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals, closed the main land border crossing, and expelled Pakistani diplomatic staff. Indian High Commission officials were also recalled from Islamabad, effectively downgrading diplomatic ties.
These measures, however, were not limited to symbolic gestures. In a significant development, the Indian government announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty—one of the most important water-sharing agreements between the two nations—signaling that all previous constraints in bilateral relations were now up for review. This move sent a strong message to Islamabad: supporting terrorism against India would no longer be without costs, and any act of hostility would be met with punitive consequences that affect the broader framework of cooperation.
Pakistan, predictably, denied any involvement in the attack and responded with reciprocal actions, including closing its airspace to Indian carriers, suspending the 1972 Shimla Agreement, and halting all bilateral treaties and communications. The tit-for-tat escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors has caused widespread concern in the international community. However, global leaders, including those from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and even China, stood firmly with India in condemning the Pahalgam attack. Statements of solidarity poured in from capitals across the world, reaffirming that the international community recognizes the growing threat posed by non-state actors operating with impunity from Pakistani soil.
Modi’s call for global unity in the fight against terrorism echoed strongly in diplomatic corridors. He stated, “The world must stand united. Terrorism is a disease that threatens global peace, and India will lead by example in eradicating it.” This is not merely rhetoric but an invitation to the world to join hands in shaping a robust, coordinated response to transnational terror.
The Pahalgam tragedy has inevitably drawn comparisons to past attacks, most notably the 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 45 CRPF personnel. In its aftermath, India launched the Balakot airstrikes deep inside Pakistan, setting a precedent for preemptive, cross-border counter-terrorism operations. Today, as the Modi government contemplates its next steps, the possibility of similar military retaliation remains on the table. However, analysts suggest that India may now pursue a multi-pronged strategy involving targeted covert operations, economic strangulation of terror networks, cyber warfare, and enhanced cooperation with global counter-terrorism units to apply sustained pressure.
What sets this moment apart is the scale and symbolism of the Pahalgam attack. Targeting innocent tourists—men, women, and children—who had nothing to do with the political situation in Kashmir, has triggered outrage across the country. The attack was not just an act of terror but a message aimed at instilling fear, damaging India’s social harmony, and undermining its democratic fabric. Instead, what it has done is galvanize a nation that is no longer willing to tolerate the shadow war waged by terror outfits and their ideological masters.
Under PM Modi’s leadership, the fight against terrorism is no longer reactive—it is proactive, pre-emptive, and uncompromising. The Prime Minister has emphasized that this is not merely a battle fought with guns and missiles; it is a war of ideologies—a war to defeat the very thought process that justifies the killing of innocents in the name of religion, politics, or any other doctrine. In this regard, his government has also initiated steps to tighten online surveillance, disrupt radicalization networks on social media, and introduce stricter anti-terror financing regulations.
The central message from PM Modi post-Pahalgam is crystal clear: India will not be bowed, bullied, or blackmailed by acts of terror. Its response will be swift, precise, and enduring. The government’s resolve is matched by the will of the people, who have shown resilience, unity, and an unbreakable spirit in the face of such adversity. In this renewed war against terrorism, India is not only defending its sovereignty but also standing up for the principles of peace, justice, and human dignity.
As the dust settles over Pahalgam, the pain of the lost lives will remain etched in the nation’s conscience. But from that pain arises a resolve stronger than ever before. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is making it unequivocally known to the world: terror will not win. Justice will be delivered. And peace, built on strength, will prevail.
* Savio Rodrigues is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Goa Chronicle.