Prime Minister Modi's anti-terrorism strategy is effective in countering Pakistani militants

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on November 4, discussed India's shift in its approach to counterterrorism. He emphasized that before 2014, India used to seek global support following major terrorist attacks, but after that year, the tables turned, with Pakistan, which is often accused of supporting terrorists, seeking international support against Indian retaliation. PM Modi outlined a new counter-terrorism doctrine for India, stating that India would retaliate against the terrorist groups responsible for attacks, whether inside or outside the country. Notable examples of this doctrine in action include the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot strike by the Indian armed forces. These retaliations were meticulously planned, with all three branches of the military prepared for various escalation scenarios along the borders. In addition to the Army and Air Force, Indian Scorpene hunter-killer submarines patrolled the Makran coastline before the Balakot strike to counter any potential threats from the Pakistani navy.

PM Modi also mentioned the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan by Pakistan following a post-strike incident in February 2019. He highlighted that the Indian government's deployment of Prithvi ballistic missiles in the Rajasthan sector and the threat of their use played a role in Pakistan's decision to release the Indian pilot. While some praise the UPA government's restraint following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, PM Modi argued that it was the political leadership at the time, not the Indian armed forces, that was hesitant to take action, ultimately leading to further terrorist attacks in India in subsequent years. The Modi government's retaliatory actions in 2016 and 2019 aimed at terrorist groups based in Pakistan have made them think twice about striking in India. This has been attributed to decisive political leadership, the efforts of security forces, and intelligence agencies, which have collectively prevented major terrorist attacks in India since the Pulwama incident in 2019. Additionally, India's responses have deterred the use of the nuclear flashpoint theory to discourage Indian military retaliation against Pakistan. It's noted that the UPA government's approach, mixing politics with terror, allowed Pakistan to conduct attacks in India between 2004 and 2011 by groups like Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Toiba, resulting in significant loss of life. International support during that period did not lead to action against the country behind the attacks. Despite ongoing economic and political challenges in Pakistan, jihadist groups still pose a threat, but their leaders have been forced to seek refuge in safe houses within the Pakistani deep state due to fear of Indian retaliation, which is considered a positive outcome of Modi's counter-terrorism doctrine.