This writer has spent time in India during the Operation Sindoor military action against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir earlier this month. Indian political and community leaders and the population at large have come out overwhelmingly in support of the bombings of terror camps in Pakistan. They welcome the surgical strikes against the terrorists. Engagements with Indian Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbean people in USA, UK, and Canada also found support for the surgical strikes against terrorists in Pakistan. They back Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tough response against agents of Pakistan and terror camps based in that country. The international community supports India’s efforts to combat terrorism and maintain regional stability. In India, itself, as this writer moves about, people have not felt tense about India’s military operations against terrorists and the Pakistani army’s response. The Indian media reported that forces have shot down drones and missiles launched from bases in Pakistan. In response, Indian forces also carried out strikes against Pakistan bases.
The public and political leaders note that India has proportionately responded to a provocation (of slaughtering innocent civilians) by terrorists funded from Pakistan. The terrorists attacked a vacation resort in Kashmir massacring 26 adult males, identifying them for murder by their Hindu faith.
The politicians and the people, of all faiths, are united in solidarity with the government. They have expressed pride in the armed forces as they seek to eliminate sources of terrorism in Pakistan and PoK. The Modi government has the public support in its response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Hindus.
The people want an effective response that will deter terror attacks. They have wanted the government to hit the terrorists hard. They feel that those who attack Indians must be held accountable similar to how Americans hit terror camps in Middle East. Terror camps and infrastructure were dismantled by Indian precision bombing. Civilians and government institutions were not attacked. The public note that India is a peaceful nation and does not seek to enter into wars against neighbours. They do not want a confrontation with Pakistan. But they cannot let the terrorists go unpunished as it will set a precedent for further attacks on civilians.
The Indian public call on the Modi government to ensure that another Pahalgam never happens again. They feel that Pakistan should hand over those responsible for the massacre of innocent people in Pahalgam and to ensure that no terrorist camps operate from its territory. Pakistani army camps and fighter jets were destroyed in the operations. The Indian Operation Sindoor received international support. Pakistan requested a ceasefire, and with reported intervention from President Trump, India agreed to a cease fire. But Pakistan violated it soon after sending drones into Indian civilian and military zones. These intrusions were neutralized by Indian forces.
As the government, other politicians, and the public indicated, it was a restrained response. India’s government has publicly stated that it is not interested in escalation of border exchange. But India has promised that it will strike terror camps inside Pakistan if terrorists operate inside India. And the Modi government can be assured that it will receive the support of the public and all political parties and politicians in India. The Indian diaspora (Indo-Caribbeans included) support India to go after terrorists.
