India has formally declared that any future terrorist attacks with cross-border links will be considered acts of war, marking a significant shift in its national security doctrine.
This announcement follows the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir.
India attributes the attack to Pakistan-based militants, a claim Pakistan denies.
The new policy signals India’s intent to respond militarily to any future cross-border terror incidents, effectively eliminating the distinction between non-state militant actions and state-sponsored aggression.
This development comes amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, with recent missile and drone exchanges resulting in significant casualties on both sides.