The fragile and partially fractured relationship between India and Pakistan witnessed a significant escalation following on April 22nd, 2025 a deadly and brutal terrorist attack struck the scenic Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the tragic loss of 26 lives and injuries to over 20 others. The victims were primarily tourists, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national, with reports indicating that the assailants specifically inquired about the religious affiliation of individuals before opening fire. This tragic incident served as a stark reminder of Pakistan's persistent use of terrorism as a tool in its engagement with India since the partition.
“From partition to Pahalgam Pakistan always resorted to use terrorism as tool of bargaining to negotiate with India”
The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e- Taiba (LeT) took responsibility of attack, however within hours denied the claim citing reasons of hacking of account. India firmly attributed the attack to Pakistan's deep state and its continued support for LeT, charges that Pakistan denied officially but accepted indirectly at international forum by watering down the resolution on condemnation of attack without
mention of TRF with help of all-weather friend, China. This pattern of a Pakistan-backed group initially claiming responsibility and then retracting it introduces a layer of strategic ambiguity, a common tactic observed in grey zone conflicts, potentially aimed at obfuscating Pakistan's direct involvement and complicating international accountability.
In response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India launched Operation SINDOOR in the early hours of May 7th, 2025. This operation involved a series of precision air strikes targeting nine identified locations of terrorist infrastructure situated within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India's stated objective behind Operation SINDOOR was to unequivocally signal that terrorist acts would no longer be tolerated and to effectively neutralize the terrorist threats emanating from these identified bases. This operation represents a notable shift in India's strategic approach towards cross-border terrorism, demonstrating a move beyond mere diplomatic condemnation to proactive military action aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and imposing costs on those responsible. India emphasized that its response was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature, specifically stating that no Pakistani military facilities were intentionally targeted. The claimed impact of Operation SINDOOR was significant, with India asserting that over 100 terrorists were killed and 11 air bases in Pakistan were destroyed, inflicting substantial damage. Key terrorist commanders, including Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudassir Ahmad, who were linked to previous major terrorist attacks in India, were reportedly eliminated in the operation. Satellite imagery was subsequently released by the Indian Armed Forces, purportedly providing visual evidence of the destruction caused to terrorist training camps
Pakistan's immediate reaction to India's Operation SINDOOR was characterized by
surprise and shock, leading to what was described as a "hodgepodge military reaction". In retaliation, Pakistan launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting various Indian cities. Reports indicated that Pakistan fired approximately 15 missiles on the night of May 7th alone, with eight of these missiles aimed at targets within Jammu and
Kashmir. Initially, Pakistan claimed to have targeted 15 Indian cities with these attacks, and later reports suggested the number might have been over 26. However, India's air defence systems, including the indigenously developed Akashteer, successfully intercepted all incoming missiles and drones, preventing any significant damage to Indian cities.
Pakistan reportedly also initiated a second wave of attacks involving the deployment of between 300 and 400 drones across 36 towns and cities in western India. Many of these drones were identified as Turkish-made Asisguard SONGARs. India reported that approximately fifty of these drones were shot down, while the remaining were effectively neutralized through the use of radio jamming technology. Despite its aggressive retaliation, Pakistan reportedly suffered significant casualties, with the Indian Army claiming to have inflicted nearly 35 to 40 personnel losses on the Pakistani side between May 7th and 10th during the exchange of fire across the Line of Control.
This recent conflict extended far beyond traditional military engagements, encompassing a wide spectrum of modern warfare tactics and New Emerging and Evolving frontiers of warfare :
1. Information Warfare: Tactics, Disinformation Campaigns, and Countermeasures: The recent India-Pakistan conflict witnessed a significant and concerning escalation in the realm of information warfare, demonstrating its deep penetration into modern-day
conflicts. Following India's Operation SINDOOR, Pakistan launched an aggressive and widespread campaign of lies and misinformation. India took measures to curb the spread of misinformation by requesting platform X (formerly Twitter) to block over 8,000 accounts accused of spreading falsehoods. Evidence also emerged
suggesting the involvement of Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in
orchestrating and disseminating false narratives.
2. Cyber Warfare: Attacks on Critical Infrastructure and Digital Assets: Beyond the traditional battlefield and the realm of information, the recent India-Pakistan conflict also witnessed a significant escalation in cyber warfare, with both sides reportedly engaging in attacks targeting critical infrastructure and digital assets. Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Indian cybersecurity agencies detected a substantial surge in coordinated cyber offensives directed at the country's digital infrastructure, with a state agency attributing these attacks to Pakistan-aligned Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups. These threat actors reportedly launched approximately 1.5 million intrusion attempts against Indian websites and systems
3. Perception Warfare: Shaping Narratives and Public Opinion: The fog of war was thickened by the rampant spread of disinformation, false claims, and manipulated photos and videos, making it exceedingly difficult to ascertain the veracity of events and further highlighting the critical role of perception management in modern conflicts.
4. Water Warfare: The Strategic Implications of the Indus Waters Treaty Suspension: An unprecedented dimension of the recent conflict was India's decision to put the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance as a retaliatory measure against Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism. Suspending the treaty raises serious concerns in Pakistan about potential restrictions in water flow, which could severely impact its agricultural output, particularly key crops like cotton and paddy, and also affect its hydropower generation capabilities, further straining its already fragile economy.
5. Hybrid and Grey Zone Warfare: Characterizing the Modern Conflict: The recent India-Pakistan conflict serves as a stark illustration of the evolving nature of
warfare, clearly demonstrating the characteristics of both hybrid and grey zone warfare. Hybrid warfare, defined by the simultaneous use of conventional and non-conventional methods to achieve strategic goals. Pakistan's long-standing reliance on supporting terrorist groups as a tool to achieve its strategic objectives against India clearly falls within the ambit of grey zone tactics, operating below the threshold of full-scale conventional war.
6. The Role of Technology: World’s first drone warfare between two nuclear states: Reports indicated the potential use of AI-embedded real- time precision targeting capabilities.
India's Operation SINDOOR itself involved precision air strikes, showcasing the importance of accurately targeting terrorist
infrastructure. Furthermore, India's successful interception of Pakistani missiles and drones using its Anti-Air defense system, including the indigenous Akashteer and other systems like Barak-8 and S-400.
7. Economic and Diplomatic Dimensions: A critical case of legal warfare: Beyond the kinetic and digital domains, the conflict also manifested in economic and diplomatic dimensions. India's decision to put the IWT in abeyance represents a form of economic pressure, given Pakistan's dependence on the Indus waters.
The China Factor
China's role in the recent India-Pakistan conflict is significant, primarily due to its strong strategic partnership with Pakistan and its growing rivalry with India. China has emerged as Pakistan's principal supplier of military equipment, providing an estimated 80% of its weaponry and military technology. During the conflict, Pakistan reportedly deployed Chinese-made aircraft, including the Chengdu J-10C 'Vigorous Dragon' fighter jets and JF-17 Thunder aircraft, as well as missiles like the P-15 and PL-15. Pakistan even claimed to have used J-10C jets to shoot down Indian Rafale fighter jets, although India has not confirmed these losses. The performance of Chinese weaponry
during the conflict has been a subject of debate, with some analysts highlighting
its effectiveness while others point to reported failures, which could potentially
impact China's aspirations to become a major global arms exporter. India did confirm the use of Chinese-origin PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles by Pakistan. The prevailing view among many analysts is that China views Pakistan as a crucial strategic asset, using it as a proxy state to counter India's growing influence in the region, especially along the contested Sino-India border. The conflict likely provided China with a real-world
testing ground for its military technology, allowing it to assess the performance of its weapons against Indian and Western-origin systems and gather valuable intelligence for its own military modernization efforts. Interestingly, reports suggested that China was not entirely pleased with Pakistan's decision to approach the United States for mediation before consulting with Beijing, indicating potential complexities within their strategic alliance.
Way forward
The recent India-Pakistan conflict serves as a stark reminder that modern warfare has evolved significantly beyond traditional battlefield engagements. The conflict demonstrated a complex interplay of military actions, cyber intrusions, intense information warfare, strategic use of water resources, and the overarching characteristics of hybrid and grey zone conflicts. The enduring support for terrorism emanating from Pakistan
remains a critical challenge for India, compounded by the strategic involvement of China in the region. Moving forward, it is imperative for India to adopt a comprehensive, integrated, and adaptive approach to national security. This includes continuous strengthening of counter-terrorism measures, significant enhancement of capabilities in
the cyber and information domains, development of robust perception management strategies, careful reassessment of water resource management and treaty obligations, and effective navigation of the complexities inherent in hybrid and grey zone warfare. By remaining strategically vigilant, consistently investing in its capabilities across all relevant domains, and proactively engaging in strategic diplomacy, India can effectively address future challenges and secure its national interests in the complex and dynamic geopolitical landscape of South Asia.
infrastructure. Furthermore, India's successful interception of Pakistani missiles and drones using its Anti-Air defense system, including the indigenous Akashteer and other systems like Barak-8 and S-400.
7. Economic and Diplomatic Dimensions: A critical case of legal warfare: Beyond the kinetic and digital domains, the conflict also manifested in economic and diplomatic dimensions. India's decision to put the IWT in abeyance represents a form of economic pressure, given Pakistan's dependence on the Indus waters.
The China Factor
China's role in the recent India-Pakistan conflict is significant, primarily due to its strong strategic partnership with Pakistan and its growing rivalry with India. China has emerged as Pakistan's principal supplier of military equipment, providing an estimated 80% of its weaponry and military technology. During the conflict, Pakistan reportedly deployed Chinese-made aircraft, including the Chengdu J-10C 'Vigorous Dragon' fighter jets and JF-17 Thunder aircraft, as well as missiles like the P-15 and PL-15. Pakistan even claimed to have used J-10C jets to shoot down Indian Rafale fighter jets, although India has not confirmed these losses. The performance of Chinese weaponry
during the conflict has been a subject of debate, with some analysts highlighting
its effectiveness while others point to reported failures, which could potentially
impact China's aspirations to become a major global arms exporter. India did confirm the use of Chinese-origin PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles by Pakistan. The prevailing view among many analysts is that China views Pakistan as a crucial strategic asset, using it as a proxy state to counter India's growing influence in the region, especially along the contested Sino-India border. The conflict likely provided China with a real-world
testing ground for its military technology, allowing it to assess the performance of its weapons against Indian and Western-origin systems and gather valuable intelligence for its own military modernization efforts. Interestingly, reports suggested that China was not entirely pleased with Pakistan's decision to approach the United States for mediation before consulting with Beijing, indicating potential complexities within their strategic alliance.
Way forward
The recent India-Pakistan conflict serves as a stark reminder that modern warfare has evolved significantly beyond traditional battlefield engagements. The conflict demonstrated a complex interplay of military actions, cyber intrusions, intense information warfare, strategic use of water resources, and the overarching characteristics of hybrid and grey zone conflicts. The enduring support for terrorism emanating from Pakistan
remains a critical challenge for India, compounded by the strategic involvement of China in the region. Moving forward, it is imperative for India to adopt a comprehensive, integrated, and adaptive approach to national security. This includes continuous strengthening of counter-terrorism measures, significant enhancement of capabilities in
the cyber and information domains, development of robust perception management strategies, careful reassessment of water resource management and treaty obligations, and effective navigation of the complexities inherent in hybrid and grey zone warfare. By remaining strategically vigilant, consistently investing in its capabilities across all relevant domains, and proactively engaging in strategic diplomacy, India can effectively address future challenges and secure its national interests in the complex and dynamic geopolitical landscape of South Asia.
-Nitin Pratap Singh
Assistant Commandant
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