WAS PAKISTAN POISED FOR A NUCLEAR STRIKE?
"There may not be many bad people in India, but the real issue is that too many good people stay silent in the face of wrongdoing."
According to credible sources, on the night of May 9–10, 2025, Pakistan launched a Shaheen-2 missile aimed at Delhi as a test. The missile, with a range of approximately 900kms, was intercepted and destroyed over Sirsa by India’s S-400 defense system. This act was interpreted by Indian defense as a precursor to a possible nuclear strike, prompting swift and decisive action from India.
Had the missile breached Indian defenses, Delhi could have faced catastrophic consequences. Pakistan’s military is known for its unpredictability, and its political leadership has often been accused of irresponsibility. Notably, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has in the past made alarming statements, including suggesting that if Pakistan were annihilated, others would not be spared either. This context rendered the Shaheen-2 launch a serious provocation, compelling India to act before events spiralled out of control.
Indian satellites detected suspicious activity at Pakistan’s Noor Khan airbase and the Kirana Hills region. In response, India executed precision strikes using 16 BrahMos missiles, targeting 11 Pakistani airbases and nuclear-related sites, including Kirana and Chugai Hills. The goal was clear: neutralize Pakistan’s nuclear delivery capability. India was also prepared for a full-scale disarming strike, depending on Pakistan’s next moves.
Following these strikes, there were reports of radiation leaks near targeted facilities, which rendered those nuclear assets inaccessible. These developments triggered panic in Islamabad, leading the CIA—long associated with the ISI—to intervene. Reports suggest U.S. Senator JD Vance and former President Trump were brought into the loop. Misjudging India's resolve, they were reportedly surprised by the scale of India's response. Vance subsequently urged Pakistani leadership to establish direct communication with India, which de-escalated the situation.
India’s approach remained measured throughout. On May 7, 2025, when India initially struck nine terrorist camps, it made clear that no military installations were targeted. The Indian DGMO emphasized that only non-state actors were hit, signaling India’s intent to avoid full-scale war. Yet, some Indian politicians accused External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar of leaking operational plans—an allegation steeped in political opportunism. In reality, Pakistan was informed after the first strike, as part of diplomatic transparency, not betrayal.
India has so far downplayed the success of its preemptive strikes and the resulting damage to Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure, including the reported radiation leak. While caution and responsibility are important, projecting strength is equally essential. If India truly seeks to become Vishwaguru (world leader), it must back its rhetoric with visible and assertive action. Moral high ground cannot come at the expense of strategic deterrence.
In today's information age, perception shapes reality. Nations construct narratives that influence global opinion. India must accept that international relations are governed by interests, not ideals. In this era of geoeconomics, diplomacy often boils down to one principle: "What’s in it for me?"
Operation Sindoor, despite its effectiveness, exposed a sobering truth—India stood alone. The world, aware of Pakistan’s history as both a jihadist haven and nuclear provocateur, remained silent. This indifference underscores the harsh reality of international politics, where even potential nuclear catastrophe fails to move global powers to act.
The West, including the U.S. and Britain, has long used Pakistan as a strategic tool in South Asia. Despite assurances, they continue to allow Pakistan to operate F-16s against India. China, meanwhile, has outsourced its confrontation with India to Pakistan. During Operation Sindoor, China not only supplied weapons but also satellite intelligence and technical personnel, with assistance from Turkey. These developments reaffirm China’s deep-seated hostility toward India.
India must acknowledge this strategic reality and recalibrate its approach. Trading with China while ignoring its overt hostility is self-defeating. The idea of "Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai" was shattered in 1962—repeating past mistakes would be perilous. Supporting Taiwan, refusing trade dependencies, and directly countering Chinese influence in neighboring regions is now a geopolitical necessity. China’s presence from Nepal to Myanmar, and now Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase, should be seen as a clear and present challenge.
“Ultimate power is the ability to produce results you desire most and create value for others in the process. Power is the ability to change your life, to shape your perceptions, to make things work for you and not against you.”
India must now harness that power—with clarity, confidence, and courage.