Towards a Hard Reset in Counter-Terror Strategy
By Brig Sarvesh Dutt ‘Pahadi’ Dangwal (Retd)
Introduction
The brutal massacre of 28 innocent tourists in Pahalgam on 22 April is not an isolated tragedy but a chilling reminder of systemic lapses, state apathy, and a security apparatus that reacts rather than prevents. The terrorist group The Resistance Front (TRF)—a front for Pakistan’s ISI-sponsored ecosystem—struck deep into the Indian mainland with impunity. That they could plan, reconnoitre, and execute such an attack without interception highlights grave weaknesses that demand urgent and uncompromising rectification.
As a veteran of the Armed and Paramilitary Forces, I propose a recalibrated doctrine that goes beyond optics and delivers real deterrence through accountability, sustained offensive capability, and a purge of institutional complacency.
- Naming the Enemy, Calling Out the State’s
Complacency
Enough of obfuscation. The enemy is not just across the border—it is within our porous institutions, fragmented intelligence systems, and the political unwillingness to act decisively. The post-attack government narrative has followed the usual pattern: condemnation, condolences, and committee formation. These gestures insult the memory of the victims unless followed by unapologetic action.
- Immediate, Sustained Military Retaliation
No Single Surgical Strike Doctrine: One-off retaliatory strikes serve domestic political optics but fail to create fear in the adversary. What’s needed is a Sustained Punitive Campaign, spread across time and space.
Mandated Time-Bound Military Objectives: Destroy minimum five identified TRF/LeT camps in PoK within 10 days of attack.
Kill Lists to Be Executed: Cross-border targeted eliminations of identified handlers and planners within a fixed timeframe.
Institutionalising a Standing Counter-Terror Task Force (CTTF): A tri-service, intelligence-backed permanent unit dedicated solely to asymmetric operations in hostile territory.
- Crippling the Terror Infrastructure—Not Symbolically, but Strategically
State-Backed Covert Financial Disruption: Use of cyber capabilities to target terror funding channels (Hawala, crypto, NGO fronts). Publicly name and shame foreign banks, firms, and individuals facilitating TRF/ LeT / Jaish e Mohammed.
Drone Surveillance, Unmanned Lethal Strikes in PoK: India must embrace Israel-style drone warfare. Legal, moral, and diplomatic cover can be crafted. Precedents exist.
Revenge from the Shadows: Empower RAW and Special Forces to revive the doctrine of “deep penetration and surgical elimination” of adversaries without political micromanagement.
- Holding the Security Architecture Accountable,
Complacency Kills.
The attack exposes shocking gaps in surveillance, counter-intelligence, and area security protocols.
Compulsory Fixing of Responsibility:
Immediate Suspension Pending Inquiry: Zonal Intelligence Heads, Police Chiefs, and administrative officers responsible for the Pahalgam area must face consequences.
Court of Inquiry (COI) led by a Retired High Court Judge and Military Officer: Must submit report in 60 days with recommendations on failures and punitive action.
NSA’s Role Must Be Evaluated: The National Security Adviser’s Office must answer for systemic intelligence lapses. A National Security Advisory Board with cross-domain veterans must oversee operations independently.
- Legal Reforms to Enable Preemptive Neutralisation
Amend UAPA and AFSPA for Rapid Authorisation: Create a provision for preemptive neutralisation of threats through high-level clearance without bureaucratic delays.
Empower the Armed Forces with Area Security Mandate in High-Risk Tourist Zones: Armed presence should not be limited to ‘flag marches’ post-incident.
- Rebuilding National Intelligence from the Ground Up
Dismantle the Silo Culture: NIA, IB, RAW, and Military Intelligence must operate through an integrated platform with real-time intelligence fusion—monitored by a National Terror Threat Centre (NTTC).
Grassroots Intelligence Corps: A system of local intelligence informants, incentivised and embedded, especially in sensitive areas like South Kashmir.
- Doctrine of Zero Tolerance—No More Strategic Restraint
The strategic restraint policy is now suicidal. India must adopt a doctrine of Relentless and Escalatory Retaliation: Declare Cross-Border Terror as Acts of War: This opens doors to invoke international legal retaliation and withdraw trade or diplomatic niceties.
Dismantle the Notion of Pakistan’s “Plausible Deniability”: Compile and declassify dossiers after each
attack. Circulate globally, naming Pakistan Army officers and ISI handlers involved.
- A National Mourning Protocol & Civil Vigilance Corps
A Declared National Mourning Period (3 Days) after any large-scale terror incident involving civilians—shows collective resolve, not just grief.
Civil Vigilance Corps: Establishing trained, vetted, and mobile volunteer teams across states under local police and IB monitoring. Intelligence is everyone’s job.
- Political Leadership Must Not Escape Responsibility
A government cannot simply pass the blame to agencies. Political oversight is directly responsible for setting the tone, urgency, and seriousness of national security.
A Standing Parliamentary Committee on Counter-Terror Oversight, led by former Chiefs of Defence Staff, Intelligence Heads, and MPs, must assess gaps and performance semi-annually.
The Home Minister and NSA must brief the Nation within 72 hours post-attack on actions being taken—no more scripted silence.
Conclusion: From Mourning to Military Doctrine
Pahalgam must become India’s 9/11 moment—not in rhetoric but in irreversible shifts in doctrine, capability, and resolve. If we let this tragedy pass with yet another ‘review meeting’, we betray the 28 lives lost and signal to the enemy that India can bleed again.
India does not need vengeance. It needs victory over terror—permanent, unflinching, and fearsome.
Jai Hind.
