Key points
• Concerned at loss of tourists’ lives: Pakistan Foreign Affairs spokesperson
• US secretary of state and Israeli premier express support for India
• Modi to chair a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting
• Top Indian experts advising and anticipating Indian action against Pakistan and Kashmir
• Pakistani security expert warns that unlike Pulwama and Balakot 2019 this time Pakistan may not show restraint in response to any unilateral Indian misadventure
ISLAMABAD: In the wake of the Pahalgam incident, Indian media and experts have resorted to unwarranted threats and began provoking tensions by calling for strong military action, whereas, Pakistan has expressed condolences with the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) incident victims and families.
At least two dozen people were killed on Tuesday in the Pahalgam incident in IIOJK.
Pakistan on Wednesday expressed condolences with the victims and families of the incident in IIOJK.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesperson, while responding to media queries concerning the attack in Anantnag District of the IIOJK, stated: “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Earlier, at a joint press conference with Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara on Tuesday following their talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for Turkey’s unwavering support on the Kashmir issue, according to Express Tribune.
Modi’s Security Huddle
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is battling multiple challenges at home, cut short a state visit to Saudi Arabia to return to India early Wednesday, according to AFP.
The Indian premier met with top security officials immediately on his arrival. No official toll has been released, as per AFP. He will chair a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting. The CCS is the highest decision-making body in India on matters related to national security and defence. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, and External Affairs Minister, according to Swarajya.
US and Israeli Condemnation
In the wake of the incident, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu have expressed support for India.
Rubio posted: The United States stands with India. The US deputy secretary also expressed his support for India in a post on X.
The official account of the Prime Minister of Israel posted: My dear friend @narendramodi, I am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that killed and injured dozens of innocents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims & their families. Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism.
My dear friend @narendramodi,
I am deeply saddened by the barbaric terrorist attack in #Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, that killed and injured dozens of innocents.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims & their families.
Israel stands with India in its fight against terrorism.— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 22, 2025
Indian Media Provoking Escalation
The Indian media, especially the pro-Modi media experts who are known for being loud and aggressive have taken the opportunity to provoke tensions by calling for strong military action.
In response to top Indian think tank experts who are advising and anticipating Indian action against Pakistan and Kashmir, Pakistani security experts have warned that unlike Pulwama and Balakot 2019, this time, Pakistan may not show restraint in response to any unilateral Indian misadventure.
Pakistan May Not Show Restraint Like Swift Retort This Time
In response to Associate Professor Christopher Clary’s post on X: “I suspect we are about to learn whether India has gotten better at standoff air strikes in the last six years since Balakot,” Islamabad-based security expert Syed Muhammad Ali posted: “During Pulwama crisis Pakistan showed restraint in retaliatory Operation Swift Retort against failed Indian air attack on Balakot. If provoked again, Pakistan may cause real pain and embarrassment if Modi relies on false flag Ops on high profile US visits and not learnt any lesson.”
During #Pulwamacrisis #Pakistan showed restraint in retaliatory Operation #SwiftRetort against failed Indian air attack on #Balakot.If provoked again, Pakistan may cause real pain & embarrassment if #Modi relies on #falseflag Ops on high profile #US visits & not learnt any lesson https://t.co/zj4X8936Kz
— Syed Muhammad Ali (@SyedAli78304182) April 22, 2025
Swift Retort Plus Will Be Painful and Embarrassing
At The Economist Defence Editor Shashank Joshi’s post on X: “I think it is likely that we will see an Indian military strike on Pakistan in the coming weeks,” security expert Ali remarked in his post: “Rest assured this time India will face “Swift Retort Plus” based on #Pakistan’s Quid Pro quo Plus doctrine. During 2019 Pulwama Crisis Gen Asim Munir was DG ISI. Today he is Army Chief. Last time Pakistan showed restraint. This time could be different!”
Rest assured this time #India will face “Swift Retort Plus”based on #Pakistan‘s Quid Pro quo Plus doctrine. During 2019 #PulwamaCrisis Gen #AsimMunir was DG ISI. Today he is Army Chief.
Last time Pakistan showed restraint. This time could be different! @POTUS @OfficialDGISPR https://t.co/USz7mNAKiB— Syed Muhammad Ali (@SyedAli78304182) April 22, 2025
To Abhijit Iyer-Mitra’s post citing “sources”: “Some significant retaliation against Pakistan is being prepared. Modi skipped the official dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia & cut short his visit. He was originally scheduled to return Wednesday night, but will be back in the next few hours,” the Islamabad-based security expert posted: “Trust me he will miss a lot more if he tried something stupid against Pakistan. Last time Pakistan showed restraint in Operation Swift Retort against failed Indian air attack on Balakot. If provoked again, Pakistan can give up restraint and hurt and embarrass Modi.”
Trust me he will miss a lot more if he tried something stupid against Pakistan.Last time #Pakistan showed restraint in Operation #SwiftRetort against failed Indian air attack on #Balakot.If provoked again, Pakistan can give up restraint and hurt & embarrass Modi. @OfficialDGISPR https://t.co/SybuQrdJFA
— Syed Muhammad Ali (@SyedAli78304182) April 22, 2025
