India faces dual terror strikes, escalating tensions with Pakistan

Two major terror attacks in Pahalgam and Delhi spark national concern and military response.

Photo by Levi Meir Clancy

India experienced two significant terrorist attacks in 2025: a mass shooting in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, killing 26 civilians and leading to military escalation with Pakistan (Operation Sindoor), and a blast near Red Fort in New Delhi on November 10, killing 14. These incidents highlight persistent internal security challenges and the complex geopolitical dynamics with neighboring countries. The Pahalgam attack, in particular, saw India's direct military response, underscoring a shift in counter-terrorism strategy.

Key Facts

Pahalgam attack killed 26 civilians

New Delhi blast killed 14

Pahalgam attack led to Operation Sindoor against Pakistan

UPSC Exam Angles

Internal Security: Challenges of terrorism, counter-terrorism strategies, intelligence gathering, border management.

India-Pakistan Relations: Cross-border terrorism, military escalation, diplomatic implications.

Polity & Governance: Constitutional provisions related to internal security, anti-terror laws (UAPA, NIA Act), federal structure in security matters.

Defense & Security: Military doctrines, role of armed forces and intelligence agencies in national security.

Visual Insights

India's 2025 Terror Strikes & Strategic Context

This map highlights the locations of the two major terror attacks in India in 2025 and the broader geopolitical context, emphasizing the Line of Control (LoC) and the border with Pakistan, which are central to cross-border terrorism concerns.

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📍Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir📍New Delhi (near Red Fort)📍Line of Control (LoC)

India's Counter-Terrorism Posture: From Retaliation to Proactive Response (2016-2025)

This timeline illustrates key terror incidents and India's evolving counter-terrorism strategy, highlighting a shift towards more proactive and punitive responses, culminating in the 2025 events.

India's counter-terrorism strategy has evolved from a largely reactive stance to a more proactive and punitive approach since 2016. This shift, marked by cross-border strikes and enhanced border management, aims to deter state-sponsored terrorism while addressing internal vulnerabilities. The 2025 incidents and Operation Sindoor are direct manifestations of this evolving policy.

2016Uri Attack & Surgical Strikes: India conducts cross-LoC surgical strikes in response to Uri attack, signaling a new punitive approach.
2019Pulwama Attack & Balakot Airstrikes: Major suicide bombing in Pulwama (J&K) followed by India's non-military pre-emptive airstrike in Balakot (Pakistan), escalating tensions significantly.
2019Abrogation of Article 370: India revokes special status of J&K, integrating it fully into the Union, leading to strong protests from Pakistan.
2019Creation of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Post: Major defense reform to enhance synergy among armed forces.
2024Enhanced Border Surveillance & Infrastructure: Continued focus on securing borders with advanced technology and physical barriers.
2025 (April)Pahalgam Mass Shooting: Terrorist attack in J&K kills 26 civilians, leading to immediate military escalation.
2025 (May)Operation Sindoor: India launches direct military response against terror infrastructure across the border, underscoring proactive strategy.
2025 (Nov)Red Fort Blast: Urban terror attack in New Delhi kills 14, highlighting persistent internal security challenges.

More Information

Background

India has a long history of grappling with terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan, especially in Jammu & Kashmir. Major incidents like the 2001 Parliament attack, 2008 Mumbai attacks, and more recently, the Uri and Pulwama attacks, have shaped India's counter-terrorism policies.

The geopolitical landscape, marked by a hostile western border and internal insurgencies, has necessitated a continuous evolution of India's security doctrines. Historically, India's response often involved diplomatic pressure and reactive security measures, but recent years have seen a shift towards more assertive and proactive military responses.

Latest Developments

The year 2025 witnessed two significant terror incidents: a mass shooting in Pahalgam, J&K, and a blast near Red Fort in New Delhi. The Pahalgam attack, resulting in 26 civilian deaths, prompted 'Operation Sindoor,' a direct military escalation with Pakistan. This response underscores a notable shift in India's counter-terrorism strategy, moving beyond purely defensive measures to include pre-emptive or retaliatory military actions.

The Red Fort blast, while separate, highlights the persistent threat of urban terrorism and the need for robust internal security mechanisms across the country. These events collectively emphasize the enduring internal security challenges and the complex, often volatile, geopolitical dynamics with neighboring countries.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding India's internal security framework and anti-terrorism laws: 1. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) allows the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists. 2. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has jurisdiction to investigate terror cases across states without prior state government permission. 3. 'Public Order' is exclusively a Union List subject, enabling the Centre to directly manage all aspects of counter-terrorism operations nationwide. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.1 and 2 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is correct. The UAPA was amended in 2019 to empower the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists. Statement 2 is correct. The NIA Act, 2008, grants the NIA concurrent jurisdiction to investigate scheduled offences (including terror acts) across states without requiring prior permission from state governments. Statement 3 is incorrect. 'Public Order' and 'Police' are subjects listed in the State List (Entry 1 and 2 respectively) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. While the Centre can assist and intervene in certain circumstances (e.g., Article 355, deployment of central forces), the primary responsibility for maintaining public order and policing rests with the states.

2. In the context of India's evolving counter-terrorism strategy and recent military responses, which of the following statements is correct?

A.India's strategy has consistently avoided direct cross-border military responses, focusing solely on diplomatic pressure.
B.The 'Doval Doctrine' emphasizes a proactive and offensive approach to counter-terrorism, including pre-emptive strikes.
C.India's counter-terrorism efforts are primarily governed by Article 356 of the Constitution, allowing central intervention in states.
D.Operation Sindoor, mentioned in the news, is India's first instance of a direct military response to a terror attack originating from across the border.

Show Answer

Answer: B

Option A is incorrect. India has demonstrated direct cross-border military responses, such as the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and now 'Operation Sindoor'. Option B is correct. The 'Doval Doctrine' (named after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval) is often associated with a proactive, offensive, and 'defensive-offence' approach to national security, advocating for taking the fight to the enemy's territory rather than waiting for attacks. Option C is incorrect. While Article 356 deals with the imposition of President's Rule in states, India's counter-terrorism efforts are primarily governed by specific anti-terror laws (like UAPA, NIA Act) and Article 355, which mandates the Union to protect states from internal disturbance. Option D is incorrect. Operation Sindoor is not the first instance; the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrike were earlier examples of direct military responses.

3. Match List-I (Security Force/Agency) with List-II (Primary Role/Mandate): List-I 1. Border Security Force (BSF) 2. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 3. National Security Guard (NSG) 4. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) List-II P. Counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking operations Q. External intelligence gathering R. Border guarding during peacetime S. Internal security and counter-insurgency operations Select the correct match using the code given below:

A.1-R, 2-S, 3-P, 4-Q
B.1-S, 2-R, 3-P, 4-Q
C.1-R, 2-P, 3-S, 4-Q
D.1-Q, 2-S, 3-P, 4-R

Show Answer

Answer: A

1. Border Security Force (BSF) is primarily responsible for guarding India's land borders during peacetime and preventing trans-border crimes (R). 2. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the largest Central Armed Police Force, primarily engaged in internal security duties, including counter-insurgency operations (S). 3. National Security Guard (NSG) is a federal counter-terrorism unit, specializing in anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, and VIP protection (P). 4. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is India's primary external intelligence agency, responsible for gathering foreign intelligence (Q).

4. Consider the following statements regarding international efforts to combat terrorism: 1. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body that sets standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. 2. UN Security Council Resolution 1267 established a sanctions regime against individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaeda and later ISIS. 3. The SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism (1987) mandates member states to extradite or prosecute alleged terrorists. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: D

Statement 1 is correct. FATF is indeed an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. Statement 2 is correct. UNSC Resolution 1267 (1999) established a sanctions regime targeting individuals and entities associated with Al-Qaeda, which was later expanded to include ISIS (Da'esh) and other associated groups. Statement 3 is correct. The SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism (1987) is a landmark agreement among SAARC member states, obliging them to either extradite or prosecute individuals accused of certain terrorist offenses, thereby preventing them from finding safe haven.

5. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the constitutional framework for internal security in India?

A.Article 355 imposes a duty on the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance.
B.'Police' and 'Public Order' are subjects listed in the State List of the Seventh Schedule, primarily managed by state governments.
C.The Central government can deploy paramilitary forces in a state for internal security duties only with the explicit consent of the concerned state government.
D.A proclamation of Emergency under Article 352 can be issued on grounds of 'armed rebellion' affecting internal security.

Show Answer

Answer: C

Option A is correct. Article 355 explicitly states the Union's duty to protect states. Option B is correct. 'Police' (Entry 2) and 'Public Order' (Entry 1) are indeed State List subjects. Option D is correct. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 replaced 'internal disturbance' with 'armed rebellion' as a ground for National Emergency under Article 352. Option C is NOT correct. The Central government can deploy its armed forces (including paramilitary forces like CRPF, BSF, etc.) in a state for internal security duties even without the explicit consent of the state government, especially under specific central laws or in situations of grave national security concern. While consultation is often preferred, consent is not a constitutional prerequisite for deployment.