Rajnath Singh’s warning to Pakistan: Get ready for what India’s planning

India‘s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared that “what you desire will happen,” in reference to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a commemorative public event in New Delhi, Singh hinted at a firm response from the Indian government, stating that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India would deliver a “befitting reply” to adversaries threatening national security.

His comments, delivered nearly two weeks after the Pahalgam killings, marked the Modi administration’s first strong public indication of potential retaliatory or strategic measures against Pakistan-based terror outfits. Singh reiterated that India would not tolerate acts of terrorism and would protect its sovereignty with “determination and clarity.”

What Happened in the Pahalgam Terror Attack?

The statement came after a brutal terror on April 22, 2025, when heavily armed terrorists opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran Valley area of Pahalgam, Anantnag district. A total of 26 civilians, including 25 tourists, predominantly Hindus, and one local, were killed.

Indian intelligence agencies have attributed the attack to operatives of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, with assistance from The Resistance Front (TRF). While TRF initially claimed responsibility, it later denied involvement. The Ministry of Home Affairs has maintained that the operation bore hallmarks of ISI-backed infiltration efforts from across the Line of Control (LoC).

Weapons and Tactics Suggest Foreign Assistance

Security forces recovered American-origin M4 carbines, encrypted radio devices, and night-vision gear from the site. Forensic teams confirmed advanced premeditation and cross-border movement. Investigators from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and local police are collaborating on identifying the support network that enabled the attack.

Senior officials have called the attack one of the deadliest on Indian civilians in recent years. Intelligence briefings to the Cabinet Committee on Security indicated a renewed push by Pakistan-backed groups to destabilize Kashmir’s security environment ahead of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

How Has India Responded Since the Attack?

India’s immediate diplomatic response included the suspension of consultative meetings under the Indus Waters Treaty and formal protests lodged with Pakistan’s High Commission. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a démarche condemning Pakistan’s failure to prevent cross-border terrorism and called for global censure of terror sanctuaries on its soil.

Militarily, India has heightened surveillance along the LoC. Army and BSF posts in Jammu and Kashmir have been placed on alert. According to sources in the Ministry of Defence, special forces units have been repositioned for contingency planning. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and reconnaissance aircraft are monitoring known infiltration corridors.

Pakistan Denies Involvement and Issues Counterwarning

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any role in the Pahalgam massacre, calling India’s claims “politically motivated.” In a separate development, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, warned of the possibility of using “nuclear options” if provoked, citing alleged intelligence of a planned Indian strike.

This rhetoric has drawn international concern. Analysts note that such statements further strain already-fraught relations and raise the spectre of escalation, particularly given both nations’ nuclear capabilities.

What Rajnath Singh Said About PoK and National Security

Rajnath Singh also addressed residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), urging them to “consider themselves Indian.” He contrasted India’s view of PoK residents as rightful citizens with what he described as Pakistan’s dismissive treatment of the region as foreign. Singh reiterated that reclaiming PoK remains a national aspiration under India’s constitutional framework.

These comments serve to reinforce India’s longstanding position on Jammu and Kashmir, particularly as it seeks to counter Pakistan’s narrative at international forums.

Historical Context of India’s Retaliation Doctrine

India’s response doctrine to cross-border terrorism has shifted significantly since 2016. Following the Uri and Pulwama attacks, the country conducted surgical strikes and an air raid in Balakot, respectively. These actions reflect a policy of strategic retaliation under a nuclear threshold.

Defence analysts suggest Singh’s recent remarks fall in line with this pattern. While no military action has been officially confirmed, preparations suggest New Delhi is exploring options that allow visible deterrence without triggering a full-scale conflict.

How Is the Global Community Reacting?

International responses have urged restraint. The United Nations, United States, and European Union have all called for both nations to avoid military escalation. The U.S. State Department has offered support to India in tracking down the perpetrators and emphasized the importance of counter-terrorism cooperation.

Israel, France, and Australia have condemned the Pahalgam attack and reaffirmed their support for India’s anti-terrorism stance, though none have endorsed retaliatory military actions.

What’s Next for India-Pakistan Relations?

Bilateral relations remain suspended, with backchannel diplomacy now frozen. Track-II talks, trade routes, and cultural exchange mechanisms have all been halted. Both governments are engaging in diplomatic hardening, further narrowing the space for peace talks.

Security analysts believe India may choose a calibrated, covert response aimed at targeting specific terror infrastructure across the LoC. The scope and nature of any action will depend on real-time threat assessments and geopolitical costs.

Rajnath Singh’s remarks appear to serve two purposes: signalling deterrence to Pakistan and reassurance to domestic audiences demanding accountability.