India destroys terror targets, Pakistan shells civilians
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 09, 2025 -

THE destruction caused to terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the air strikes launched by Indian armed forces on Wednesday morning would-definitely force terrorist elements to lie low for some time but the casualties suffered by Indian villagers settling along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir sector of the Indo-Pak border in intense retaliatory shelling by the Pakistan army not only tell the brutal tale of conflict between hostile neighbours but also expose the civilian population to serious risks.

With neutral nations preferring to sit on the fence and embracing peace preaching as the wisest policy amid the two nations in possession of nuclear weapons bracing for a showdown, it is the civilians on the Indian side of the border who would be worst affected by the conflict.

Though reports indicate that villages along the LOC have either been vacated or the civilians advised by security authorities to stay put in the underground bunkers, availability of such defensive facility would be of little use in case the conflict intensifies and the Pakistani military authorities show eagerness to exhibit their capability to respond befittingly.

In case of escalation of tension and both countries do not relent from their current tough postures, it is but natural that the government of India would prioritise anguishing the enemy, and possibly downplaying safety of the civilians' who come in the firing line.

Nevertheless, it is desired that the civilians are swiftly moved to locations which are beyond the reach of conventional weapons till the situation improves either through a mutual pact or intervention by a third country.

As it is obvious that Pakistan would continue to sponsor and groom terrorist elements, destruction caused to terror facilities including that of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and PoK in Wednesday's airstrikes would only bring temporary relief as had been proven by revitalisation of terrorist networks by the Pakistan establishment after attacks launched by India in the past to avenge deaths of Indian soldiers in terrorist strikes targeted hideouts and infrastructure of Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits.

Wednesday's air strikes, according to Indian authorities, were 'measured' and 'non-escalatory' missile and drone offensive in retaliation to the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam, with news agencies reporting elimination of more than 70 terrorists and injuries inflicted to over 60 in the missile strikes across nine locations in Pakistan and PoK.

Officially confirming launch of the attack on Pakistani soil, foreign secretary Vikram Misri stated India decided to carry out the 'proportionate' strikes to bring the perpetrators and planners of the April 22 Pahalgam attack to justice as there was 'no demonstrable step' from Pakistan to act against terrorist infrastructure on territories under its control.

Nevertheless, the retaliatory shelling by the Pakistani army targeting villages along the LoC, hours after the Indian Army, Navy and the Air Force, in a historic tri-services operation, carried out the strikes on the terror infrastructure, has demonstrated in clear terms that the Pakistani establishment wouldn't mind whether civilians or soldiers are among the casualties as shedding blood on the Indian soil and polarising India on sectarian line top its agenda.