This is a story about a day when the mountains seemed to cry, marking a profound moment of pain, resilience, and hope for India’s strategy to counter terrorism, which has been pushed by Pakistan’s deep state and other vested interests. For years, the world watched—sometimes worried, sometimes indifferent. Leaders from around the world made statements, agreed to ceasefires, then broke them. Talks happened, only to be forgotten later. But the violence never really stopped. From the terrible events at Kaluchak to the tragic attack at Pulwama, the cycle of violence kept spinning on.
And then came Pahalgam. On April 22, 2025, something happened that changed everything. A disturbing event occurred in this peaceful and beautiful town, known as a sanctuary and pilgrimage site. Armed men attacked civilians, targeting religious communities. For India, this wasn’t just another sad news story; it was a pivotal moment. The nation now wondered not just if but how and how strongly to respond. In just a few hours, decisions were made that would have a lasting impact across the subcontinent and beyond. A boundary had been crossed, and India was ready to redefine it.
This book shares how a single massacre inspired a rising global power, India, to shift its approach from restraint to resolve and embrace a ‘New Normal’. It warmly illustrates how India crafted a new playbook for counter-terrorism at a time when old methods no longer worked. This book isn’t just about governments and tactics; it’s about the people—those who endured, those who survived, the leaders confronting tough choices, and the soldiers bravely standing between fear and hope. While it touches on geopolitics, at its core, it’s a heartfelt story of grief, courage, and the indomitable spirit of a nation that refused to give up.
This book shares a compelling turning point: a tragedy that could have led to despair but instead inspired a courageous new beginning. Join me as we delve into the heart of the valley, journeying through the fog of war and the corridors of power to uncover the untold story of the Pahalgam massacre. On that significant day, India did more than mourn her loss; she took steps to shape a new future.
You might wonder why someone in London, Lagos, Tokyo, or Toronto should care about a small town called Pahalgam nestled in the pristine mountains of South Asia? The answer is simple and urgent: what happens in Jammu and Kashmir doesn’t stay there. It’s the fault line where democracy meets extremism, where nuclear powers stand face-to-face, and where a single misstep could trigger a chain reaction that could potentially affect the whole world. In today’s interconnected world, terrorism isn’t confined by borders. Regional upheaval can shake global markets, cause migration waves, deepen military alliances, and influence international policies. Understanding this conflict’s roots and impacts isn’t just about empathy but foresight. What happens here can shape the security, economy, and future of people everywhere in the world. This isn’t just India’s story; it’s a story of ‘Humanity’, a tale of ‘Mankind’ that seems to be hanging by a slender thread.
Brigadier (Dr) Vijay Sagar Dheman (Retd)
Brigadier (Dr.) Vijay Sagar Dheman, a distinguished retired Army veteran widely recognized as the “Scholar Warrior,” offers exceptional expertise for his forthcoming publication on terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. With over 38 years of military service, his career encompasses pivotal leadership positions along the Line of Control and within counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir, thereby affording a distinctive, field-based perspective.
Beyond his extensive military career, Brigadier Dheman is a highly respected International Affairs Analyst and Defence Expert, often appearing as a prime-time TV commentator. His academic credentials include two PhDs: One in Social Sciences (International Affairs) from the University of Rajasthan focusing on “Terrorism in Kashmir: Post 1989 Developments with Special Reference to INDIA-PAK-CHINA relations” and another in Social Sciences (International Affairs) from Jawaharlal Nehru University on “India-Pakistan Relations—A Way Ahead.”
Further showcasing his impressive expertise, Dr. Dheman has contributed as an Adjunct Faculty member in the National Securities Department at Central University, Jammu. He has also served as Dean of the Management Department at GK University, Punjab. He generously shares his knowledge as a Guest Faculty member and Resource Person at Varanasi Institute of History, Banaras Hindu University and the South Asia Studies Centre, University of Rajasthan. He is a sought-after speaker in seminars across the country and a guest speaker in various educational entities, including corporates.
His distinguished service includes a tenure with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Jammu and Kashmir. Brigadier Dheman’s accolades feature commendations from both Northern and South Western Commands, the PT Prem Nath Bhatt Memorial Award for Amateur Journalism in 2022, and a United Nations Organisation (UNO) citation for exceptional service. This impressive background establishes Brigadier (Dr.) Vijay Sagar Dheman as a credible and authoritative voice on the complex subject of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Contents
Preface
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Comments
Section-I: The Pahalgam Massacre and India’s Retaliatory Initiation of “Operation Sindoor”
1. The Attack at Baisaran
2. Claims and Denials of Responsibility for the Pahalgam Massacre: A Detailed Analysis of Deception and Information Warfare
3. Convening the Guardians: The Emergency Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) Meeting
4. Punitive Measures Ordered by CCS
5. Evolving Approach and India’s “New Normal” Adopted at CCS
6. Investigation launched: Unravelling Threads
7. Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliation (06/07 May 2025) and Pakistan’s Response
8. Operation Sindoor: The Ceasefire, Controversies and Geopolitical Aftershocks
9. The Media as a Battlefield: Propaganda, Threats and State-Sponsored Terrorism in India and Pakistan
Section II: Imperatives for India to Implement a Doctrinal Shift and Redefine New Red Lines for the War or Terror Against any Country, including Pakistan
10. The Pahalgam Massacre: A Watershed Moment for India in the War on Terror
11. The Redefinition of Red Lines: India’s Escalation Thresholds in Counter-Terrorism Strategy
12. Next-Gen Conflict: How Technology Reshapes Conflict in the India-Pakistan Dynamic
13. The Strategic Imperative: Diplomatic Isolation of Pakistan in India’s Counter-Terrorism War
14. Influence of Domestic Political Imperatives: India’s Assertive Turn on Counter-Terrorism Stance Towards Pakistan
Section III: Coexistence with Pakistan: India’s Renewed Diplomatic and Military Strategies Adopted as an Overtly ‘Cost-Imposing’ Offensive Counter-Terrorism Policy
15. “Armed Coexistence”: Navigating Heightened Volatility in India-Pakistan Relations
16. The Erosion of Bilateralism: Analysing the Persistent Deterioration in India-Pakistan Relations
17. India’s Evolving Counter-Terrorism Paradigm: From Reactive Defence to Proactive Cost Imposition
18. The Indispensable Role of International Scrutiny and Mediation in Managing Nuclearised Rivalries: Illustrative Case of India-Pakistan Relations
19. The Enduring and Evolving Jammu and Kashmir Question: A Transformation of Dimensions in the India-Pakistan Conflict
20. The Perilous Tightrope Walk: Analysing the Elevated Risk of Miscalculation and Unintended Escalation in Nuclearised India-Pakistan Relations
Tables
The International Institute of Jammu and Kashmir Studies and Analysis (IIJSA), Jammu
About the Book
About the Author
Index
Political Science
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