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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘Fighting India is in Pakistan's DNA, only deterrence is increasing costs for terror': Pak expert Tilak Devasher
The anti-India sentiment is in the DNA of Pakistan, which means that the only way to ensure deterrence is imposing increasing costs for every act of terror, said Tilak Devasher, a former Special Secretary at Cabinet Secretariat, in an interview with Firstpost. read more Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters With Operation Sindoor, India entered a new age in the war on terrorism. Unlike 2016 when India conducted cross-border surgical strikes or 2019 when India conducted airstrike on a terrorist facility, India this time struck at the heart of terrorism as it struck headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed among other sites. In an interview with Firstpost's Madhur Sharma, Pakistan expert Tilak Devasher said that Indian actions, both kinetic actions like airstrikes and non-kinetic actions like holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, took Pakistan by surprise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor: With battlefield edge, India cornered Pakistan to seek peace & that's new normal 'They had not anticipated being attacked in Punjab — both the terror headquarters and airbases. So, yes, Asim Munir has lost face and hence his elevation to Field Marshal is an act of damage control, tell the people falsely that they won even though they suffered a major defeat,' said Devasher, a former Special Secretary at Cabinet Secretariat. As for the India-Pakistan relationship, Devasher said that the anti-India sentiment is in the DNA of Pakistan and the only way to ensure deterrence is imposing increasing costs for every act of terror, said Devasher, the author of 'Pakistan: Courting the Abyss', 'Pakistan: At the Helm', 'Pakistan: The Balochistan Conundrum', and 'The Pashtuns: A Contested History'. Read the full interview: With Operation Sindoor and the accompanying messaging from the government, do you believe that we now have a new 'Modi Doctrine' of national security? Yes, we do have a Modi Doctrine now. Its key components are that if there is a terrorist attack on India, there will be a fitting response; the nuclear blackmail will no longer work and India will strike precisely and decisively; and that there will be no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors. It had been said that the weak position of the Pakistani Army was one of the reasons behind approving the Pahalgam attack — the idea being that a confrontation with India would rally people around the flag and restore the Army's primacy. Do you believe in this line of thought? If yes, do you believe that Field Marshal Asim Munir miscalculated and has now lost face? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This has been Pakistan's template when faced with serious domestic issues. They divert the issue and externalise the problem to manufacture a crisis. Nothing unites the population behind the Army more than a confrontation with India. However, in this case, the Indian reaction, both kinetic and non-kinetic, took Pakistan by surprise. They had not anticipated being attacked in Punjab — both the terror headquarters and airbases. So, yes, Munir has lost face and hence his elevation to Field Marshal is an act of damage control and tell the people falsely that they won even though they suffered a major defeat. As Pakistani military stands weaker after being battered by India, do you believe that various insurgent groups in Pakistan are now going to ramp up their operations to make the most of the situation? Yes, it is a strong signal to the Baloch and the Pashtuns — and even Sindhis. They could well ramp up their operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In your book, 'Pakistan: Courting the Abyss', you have mentioned that being in a state of confrontation with India is a must for the Pakistani Army and hatred of India is quite integral to it. With such anti-India fundamentals, do you believe there is a possibility of Pakistan being deterred in the long-term? To retain its primacy in Pakistan, a confrontation with India is expected from the Pakistani Army. Any peace or normal relations with India will make the Army lose that primacy. So, the only way to deter Pakistan is to keep increasing the cost of confrontation. Given their economic situation, they will find it difficult to recoup their losses after every confrontation with India. For many years, it was said that the age of conventional warfare between India and Pakistan was over. Do you believe that India really called out Pakistan's nuclear bluff? Or did India keep the attacks well below the threshold to rattle Pakistan? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I think India did call Pakistan's nuclear bluff. Pakistan is the only nuclear weapons country that treats nuclear weapons as war-fighting weapons. For other countries, nuclear weapons are deterrents. Despite their bluster, when it came to the crunch, India tested this and called out the nuclear bluff. Several of Pakistan's so-called red-lines were crossed when their air bases were targeted but they did not or could not react. Do you believe that internal troubles in Pakistan, such as insurgencies, financial troubles, or political chaos, can ever put a check on its anti-India campaign? I don't think so since being anti-India is in Pakistan's DNA. The whole philosophy of eating grass for a thousand years stems from this deep-rooted anti-India hatred.
First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Sharif punches holes in Pakistan's 'victory' claim, Munir worries about water
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif admitted that India's BrahMos missile strikes on May 10 hit multiple airbases, including Rawalpindi, before the Pakistani military could respond. Sharif said Army Chief Asim Munir informed him around 2:30 am that Indian missiles had struck Nur Khan Airbase and other sites read more Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the Pakistani military forces were caught off guard when India attacked various airbases throughout the nation on the intervening night of May 9-10. Sharif claimed that the Pakistani Army planned to begin strikes on India on May 10 after morning prayers, but Indian BrahMos missiles rained down before that, causing damage to the air bases. During an appearance in Azerbaijan, Sharif confirmed that the Rawalpindi airfield was one among the sites targeted by India with the BrahMos missile. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'On the night of May 9-10, we decided to respond in a measured fashion to Indian aggression. Our armed forces were prepared to act at 4.30 in the morning after Fajr prayers to teach a lesson. But before that hour even arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using BrahMos, targeting various provinces of Pakistan, including the airport in Rawalpindi,' Sharif said during his speech in Lachin. Sharif went on to say that he was told of the strikes by Army Chief Asim Munir, who has since been appointed to Field Marshal. This is the second time Sharif has highlighted the significance of India's retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airbases. Speaking to an audience in Pakistan earlier this month, Sharif disclosed that Gen Munir told him about the May 10 attack on the Nur Khan Air Base and other key targets around 2:30 am. On Thursday, Gen Munir claimed that Islamabad will never compromise on the water issue since it is linked to the fundamental rights of the country's 240 million people. According to the army, he made the comments while speaking with vice-chancellors from numerous universities, administrators, and top instructors and educators. 'Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony,' he told reporters. 'Water is Pakistan's red line, and we will not allow any compromise on this basic right of 240 million Pakistanis,' he stated, alluding to India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty following the Pahalgam terror assault. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Munir further alleged that India supported terrorists in Balochistan, and that militants participating in the province's instability had ties to the Balochs. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives. India carried out precision strikes as part of Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. It was followed by Pakistan's attempt to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.
First Post
10-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Sharif calls meet of nuclear command body after Pak suffers heavy damage in Indian retaliation
In yet another escalation after attacking India with drones, fighter planes, and missiles, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of National Command Authority (NCA), the country's decision-making authority on nuclear weapons read more Follow us on Google News Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters In yet another escalation amid across-the-spectrum attacks on India, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of National Command Authority (NCA) on Saturday, according to Reuters. The NCA is Pakistan's top decision-making body on the country's nuclear weapons. (This is a developing story. It will be updated as details emerge.)
First Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
As India hits Pakistan's air defence, Shehbaz Sharif holds emergency meeting
After Indian strikes targeted Paksitani air defence systems in response to Pakistan's attempted drone and missile attacks inside India last night, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is holding an emergency meeting with top civilian and military leaders of the country read more Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters After Pakistan escalated the tensions with India last night with attempted drone and missile attacks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is holding an emergency meeting with top civilian and military leaders of the country, according to Geo News. Shehbaz chairs the National Security Council (NSC) of Pakistan. The NSC on Wednesday had authorised the military to strike India with the force it deems fit at the time and place of its choice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With their remarks, Pakistani leaders had been setting the stage for an escalation since early Wednesday. Shortly after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dubbed Indian strikes under Operation Sindoor as 'declaration of war', Shehbaz in an address to the nation vowed to avenge 'every drop of blood' spilt in the conflict so far. Hours after the NSC's authorisation, Pakistan mounted attacks across northern and western India with missiles and drones but those attacks were intercepted and neutralised, said India in a statement earlier in the day. India said that Pakistan attempted to hit the following locations: Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. In response to Pakistan's attempted attacks, India struck air defence radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan, according to the statement. India further said that it has been reliably learnt that an air defence system at Lahore was neutralised in strikes. On its part, Pakistan said that it downed 24 Indian drones attempting strikes in Pakistan.
First Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
As Shehbaz Sharif warns India of consequences, is Pakistan setting stage for escalation?
As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warns India of consequences and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif openly talks of war, Pakistan appears to be setting stage for an escalation. Whether Pakistan really wants an escalation would reflect in its choice of targets in any attack on India. read more Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan Asim Munir, reviews the parade at the passing out ceremony of 151st Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, Pakistan, April 26, 2025. Press Information Department of Pakistan via Reuters Pakistan appears to be setting teh stage for an escalation with India. Shortly after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Operation Sindoor amounted to 'declaration of war' by India, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in an address to the nation said that India 'will have to suffer the consequences' of last night's military action. Minutes after Shehbaz's address, the Pakistani military announced that the National Security Committee chaired by Shehbaz had authorised the military to respond to the Indian military action at the time and place of their choice. The military framed the exercise as part of a self-defence exercise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'In consonance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defence, at a time, place, and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty. The armed forces of Pakistan have duly been authorised to undertake corresponding actions in this regard,' said Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the principal military spokesperson. The Article 51 of the UN Charter allows members a right to self defence if they are under attack. Under Operation Sindoor, India ensured that Pakistani civilian or government sites, including military sites, were not attacked. India only attacked nine sites belonging to terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). Is Pakistan really looking for an escalation? Whether Pakistan is really looking for an escalation or worse a war depends on how it strikes India — if it strikes at all. The initial understanding was that the fact that India struck terrorist sites and not a military or civilian site would make Pakistan conduct some token strikes and seek an off-ramp. However, the rhetoric through the day suggests the nation is setting the stage for an escalation. ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor: 'As jihad drives Pakistan, India can only impose costs — deterrence is impossible' Throughout the day, Pakistan has raised the issue of deaths of women and children at terrorist sites struck by India — without explaining why these purported non-combatants were present at sites of internationally-designated terrorist organisations if at all they were there. PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Army chief General Asim Munir have attended funerals in an attempt to muster support and rally people around the flag. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With such pretext-setting developments, the initial understanding that Pakistan would seek an off-ramp does not appear to hold true anymore. All indications suggest that Pakistan would strike India — at the time and place of the military's choice as per the NSC's authorisation. Whether Pakistan is looking for an escalation or a war would reflect in the targets it would choose in its strikes, says Yusuf Unjhawala, a scholar of geopolitics at the Takshashila Institution. To be sure, Pakistani strikes can very well pave a way for an off-ramp as well. Unjhawala tells Firstpost, 'If Pakistan wants an escalation, it would hit Indian military targets forcefully. The nature of military targets would also matter. Some military sites mean more than the others. For example, if Pakistan hits airbases, that could very well be an act of war. But strikes in vast open fields in military stations could make way for an off-ramp as such strikes fulfil Pakistan's commitment to respond and also allow India to say that Pakistan was stopped from inflicting any damage.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, there is one complication regarding Pakistan's retaliation, says Unjhawala. 'Unlike India, Pakistan does not have any terrorist sites to hit India as India does not run terrorist camps. That could make it fabricate targets. Pakistan might target isolated structures or settlements in bordering states, such as Rajasthan or Gujarat, and claim that those settlements were training camps for Baloch insurgents sponsored by India. If such strikes turn out to be a dud, that would make way for an off-ramp. But any civilian casualties would force India to respond,' says Unjhawala. In the Pakistan social media, there is no doubt that Pakistan will attack India. Well-connected commentators are saying that strikes deep inside India, as deep as Maharashtra or Deccan, are on the cards. If Pakistan goes that deep with strikes, it would leave little doubt that it is seeking an escalation.
