For years, a troubling pattern has shaped India’s regional posture: the recurring use of false flag operations to deflect internal pressures and shift blame onto Pakistan.
These episodes, often amplified through aggressive rhetoric and media narratives, have served as pretexts for escalation. The incident in Pahalgam stands as a stark example. Following the killing of tourists, India was quick to assign blame and adopt an aggressive posture toward Pakistan. The episode however culminated in military embarrassment for India.
Now, reports suggest that India may be preparing yet another staged operation. According to these reports, there are concerns that individuals including Pakistanis who inadvertently crossed the border and even prisoners could be exploited to fabricate a narrative of cross-border terrorism. Such actions, if true, would represent a deeply alarming attempt to manufacture consent for confrontation, once again endangering regional stability for short-term political objectives.In this context, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks carry both warning and clarity. He cautioned that any such attempt would not go unanswered and emphasised that Pakistan would respond decisively to any act of aggression. His statement is not rhetoric, it reflects a historical reality that cannot be dismissed. The events of 2019 remain a clear reminder. Our air force downed two Indian fighter jets. Similarly, in May last year, our airforcr once again demonstrated its operational superiority by neutralising several Indian aircraft, including advanced platforms. If India chooses to tread the same path again, it risks repeating history adding to a growing tally of strategic miscalculations and military losses.
However, at a time when global attention is consumed by another conflict, South Asia cannot afford another flashpoint. While it may be unrealistic to expect sanity from increasingly hardline elements within India, the responsibility lies with the global community. Silence or indifference in the face of such developments would only embolden reckless behaviour. Major powers and international institutions must actively discourage any move toward escalation and ensure that accountability prevails over propaganda.Pakistan, for its part, has made clear that it seeks peace but remains fully prepared to defend itself. Its armed forces have proven their readiness and capability in the past, and there should be no ambiguity about their resolve. Any misadventure will be met with a response that is swift, proportionate and effective.The lesson from history is unambiguous: manufactured crises do not lead to strategic success. They lead to isolation and embarrassment. It is a lesson India would do well to heed before forced to relearn it once again.
