Will India go to war with Pakistan?

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, most of them tourists. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba—has reignited fears of a potential Indo-Pak conflict, with both countries engaging in heightened diplomatic and military posturing.

PM grants ‘free hand’ to armed forces

In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting with the chiefs of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, as well as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

According to reports, Modi has given the armed forces a “free hand” to determine the appropriate course of action. This suggests that the military leadership is now formulating a strategic response, potentially involving targeted countermeasures.

While the government has not publicly confirmed any plans for military strikes, signs point toward a firm response.

War is unlikely, tut tensions are high

Speculation about a looming war intensified after Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, warned of an “imminent” Indian military strike within “2 to 4 days.”

But experts believe that a large-scale war is improbable. The mutual possession of nuclear weapons by both countries serves as a significant deterrent.

A full-scale war, however, remains unlikely due to the catastrophic risks associated with nuclear escalation. Instead, India appears to be pursuing a calibrated strategy—one that combines military readiness with efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically.