The Modi-led RSS/BJP tirade against Pakistan led to an unprovoked aggression on 7 May 2025. However, not only was Modi’s narrative of associating the freedom struggle of oppressed Kashmiri people in IIOJ&K with terrorism dismantled, but his malicious narrative of Akhand Bharat was also effectively smashed by the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan. The Indian incursion across Pakistan—despite nuclear deterrence being in place—failed to establish a new normal, which was clearly the result of underestimating Pakistan’s conventional combat capability as well as its willingness to rapidly climb the nuclear threshold ladder with the resolve to take down all aggressors before they hit the ground.
The most astounding professional blow was delivered by the Pakistan Air Force, Missile Force, Air Defence, cyber experts, and Army troops deployed along the Line of Control, along with other strike formations ready for a riposte. This timely show of strength sent shivers down Indian spines, prompting India’s new strategic allies to immediately jump into the arena and manage a temporary ceasefire. Much to India’s political, diplomatic, psychological, and military embarrassment, its dream of a swift victory turned out to be an ephemeral blitz—even shorter than the Indian offensive of 1965. Thanks to Almighty Allah, both countries moved back from the brink of a nuclear apocalypse, the horrors of which are unimaginable for the entire world.
Hopefully, India and her well-known allies will recalibrate their political and military thinking and find ways and means to live and let Pakistan live in peace—rather than attempting in vain to usurp Pakistan’s jugular vein, Kashmir, or violate the Indus Waters Treaty to cause water, energy, agricultural, industrial, and social crises in Pakistan. Needless to say, when a nation’s very existence is at stake, mutual extinction becomes the only option—as just demonstrated by Pakistan on the nights of 8/9 and 9/10 May 2025.
One can only hope and pray that better sense will prevail in India, as well as among her instigating powers, to reconsider the pros and cons of erroneously betting on a mule and reinforcing a failure—the backlash of which is prone to be beyond imagination. Hence, no more attempts to corner the cat that has the instinctive power to act as a tiger. While sceptics and conspiracy-mongers will continue to spread rumours and unfounded narratives, the gallant Pakistan Armed Forces will, Insha’Allah, continue to sharpen their teeth without any let-up in military preparations. Neither complacency nor arrogance has any place amongst the Armed Forces—nor any self-delusion. Thus, any major ceasefire violation is bound to be fiercely retaliated.
A word of advice for the veterans appearing on TV channels and social media: please avoid giving out undue technical and operational details, which are considered violations of the security code of conduct. The media has, overall, done a great job and must continue to counter the enemy’s narrative and raise the morale of both the public and the Armed Forces. The Pakistani nation gives credit to its military leadership, strategic and operational planners, field commanders, and combat troops—the proverbial ‘man behind the gun’—rather than boasting about the guns, aircraft, weapons systems, military technologies, and defence collaborating states, etc.
A few observations and lessons must be underscored to avoid recurrence at the national and political level. While the brave-hearted people of Pakistan forgot their political differences and stood behind the valiant Armed Forces, it was disappointing to watch politicians in government continue to target the PTI and its leadership on the floors of Parliament as well as in media appearances. The controversies attached to the incumbent government, and the well-known shady pasts of quite a few of them, along with the worst-ever political polarisation, are no secret—at home or abroad. Therefore, burying heads in the sand will not help.
The crude attempts by incumbent politicians at the helm of affairs to draw undue political mileage from this most outstanding display of professionalism by the Armed Forces are considered highly unpleasant by the people of Pakistan. The current political leadership, which blinked with both eyes during the crisis, is now out like frogs after monsoon rain to make tall claims about their role and achievements. Just one pointer: the tri-services media briefing received unprecedented and unanimous public applause, in contrast to the tainted and controversial political figure appearing next to the DG ISPR on screen.
On the contrary, the opposition—under immense pressure—showed political maturity and loyalty to the country and the Armed Forces when faced with foreign aggression. This can be validated through analysis in social, print, and electronic media, as well as free and fair public sentiment. Therefore, before the enemies of Pakistan come out with a new sinister scheme, the opportunity to declare a ceasefire on the internal political front—for an honest and wholesome political reconciliation—is considered an imperative need. It goes without saying that for the achievement of this noble and inevitable feat too, the nation attaches its hopes to the military leadership. Hoping for the best, Insha’Allah.
Pakistan Zindabad!
Saleem Qamar Butt
The writer is a retired senior army officer with experience in international relations, military diplomacy and analysis of geo-political and strategic security issues.