New Delhi, May 7 — In a rare moment of political consensus, the Indian National Congress offered full-throated support to the Indian armed forces following Operation Sindoor, an extensive precision strike that targeted terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The political backing comes at a time of rising tensions in the subcontinent after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, through a strongly worded message on X, emphasized the need for national unity and solidarity, adding that the Congress party is fully aligned with the armed forces in their mission. “Our leaders have shown the path in the past, and national interest is supreme for us,” wrote Kharge, striking a tone of measured patriotism.
His remarks echoed sentiments expressed by senior party leader Jairam Ramesh, who reiterated the Congress party’s “fullest support” to the armed forces. “India’s commitment to eliminating all sources of terrorism in Pakistan and PoK has necessarily to be uncompromising and always be anchored in the supreme national interest,” Ramesh stated.
The statements followed the early Wednesday strikes executed under the banner of Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine strategic terrorist hubs. These included notorious strongholds like Jaish-e-Mohammad’s base in Bahawalpur, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operational centre in Muridke, and additional targets across Kotli, Tehra Kalan, and Muzaffarabad in PoK.
According to a briefing by the Union Defence Ministry, the operations were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.” Officials stressed that no Pakistani military infrastructure was targeted, underlining India’s intent to neutralize only non-state actors involved in directing attacks against Indian civilians and security personnel.
The strikes represent a calibrated response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which has been attributed to militants operating from across the border. Intelligence reports have consistently linked such attacks to training camps and command centres functioning in PoK and parts of Pakistan, often with the tacit support of elements within the Pakistani establishment.
The Indian Army, in a rare on-record statement, confirmed that the strikes were carried out using long-range precision missiles, and that each of the nine targets was neutralized without collateral damage to civilian populations. This, military analysts say, highlights India’s growing ability to deliver surgical, intelligence-driven strikes while keeping the risk of regional escalation contained.
In a swiftly issued response, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes as an “act of war” and vowed that Islamabad would deliver a “befitting reply”. The Pakistani military has reportedly been put on high alert, and diplomatic efforts have begun to rally international opinion, although early reactions have remained muted globally.
In the days leading up to the strike, India had already begun taking diplomatic and economic countermeasures. These included suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of Indian airspace to Pakistan-owned and operated aircraft, and the expulsion of multiple Pakistani diplomats. Meanwhile, Pakistan has continued small arms and mortar fire across the Line of Control, now for the twelfth consecutive night, with intermittent ceasefire violations reported from sectors in Poonch, Kupwara, and Uri.
This episode marks another chapter in the long-standing volatility between the nuclear-armed neighbours, though India’s latest action has been framed as a counter-terrorist operation rather than a direct engagement with Pakistan’s military. That distinction, analysts believe, is part of India’s strategy to isolate terrorist infrastructure while attempting to avoid a broader regional conflict.
Within India, political parties have largely closed ranks, at least temporarily. Congress’ vocal support signals a mature consensus on issues of national security, something that has often been elusive in times of domestic political rivalry. The BJP-led government, though critical of the opposition on various fronts, welcomed Congress’ show of support, framing it as a moment of national alignment in the face of terrorism.
While external affairs officials continue to brief key foreign missions about the operation and its limited scope, India is unlikely to backpedal from its current posture. Instead, military preparedness has been heightened along the western border, and alerts remain in place across Jammu and Kashmir.
Local officials in J&K have also stepped up civil defence operations, with intensified patrolling, increased surveillance along border villages, and preparedness for potential retaliation. Schools along the LoC in Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara remain closed, and civilian movement has been restricted in certain high-risk areas.
Meanwhile, international observers have maintained a cautious distance. While the United States and United Kingdom have yet to comment officially, unofficial diplomatic channels suggest a desire to avoid escalation while privately acknowledging India’s right to self-defence in light of credible intelligence on cross-border terror infrastructure.
The situation on the ground remains fluid. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has summoned Indian diplomatic representatives and is reportedly planning to approach the United Nations with a dossier alleging Indian aggression. However, given India’s clear articulation of the operation’s counter-terrorism focus, New Delhi seems confident in its ability to manage the international narrative.
At home, there’s a palpable shift in public sentiment. The families of the Pahalgam victims, still reeling from their loss, have expressed cautious approval of the government’s response. Voices from the armed forces’ veterans’ community have also backed the move, praising the operational precision and political support shown during the mission.
For now, the country remains alert but united. The events of the past 48 hours have redefined the current phase of Indo-Pak relations, where military assertiveness is being strategically used to push back against long-standing challenges of cross-border terrorism.
The Congress party’s clear and unequivocal support, unusual in its tone and timing, may serve as a reminder that on issues of national sovereignty and security, India’s political class is capable of speaking with one voice — at least when it matters most.
As the situation develops, both countries are treading a tightrope between assertion and escalation. India has made its intent clear: it will not tolerate the use of terrorism as a tool of proxy warfare, and it will respond with measured force when provoked. The global community now watches closely as the region navigates this fragile moment.
