'Punishment bigger than ... ': PM Modi's warning rattles Pakistan as suspense builds up over India's retaliatory action

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday rattled Pakistan amid strong signals of a buildup to a Pulwama-type retaliation, or even a stronger response, to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent people.
The stage was set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who echoed the anger of the nation when he declared that "India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers" and will "pursue them to the ends of the Earth" to punish them "beyond their imagination."
The Prime Minister's strong message was followed by a slew of countermeasures to convey a clear message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.
These moves followed five key decisions that were announced a day earlier on Wednesday and included:
In 2019, India had struck terrorist camp in Balakot with airstrikes deep inside Pakistan. This after at least 40 paramilitary personnel were killed in Pulwama. Earlier in 2016, India had carried out "surgical strikes" targeting terror launch pads after the Uri attack in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed.
The brutality of the attack in Pahalgam left the country in shock and anger. Kashmir valley witnessed an unprecedented display of public sentiment with a widespread spontaneous protests against the killings.
India's strong buildup to a possible retaliatory action left Pakistan rattled and it announced several face-saving measures.
Islamabad has also said any attempt to divert the water meant for it under the Indus Waters Treaty will be considered an Act of War. But India is determined to punish the Pahalgam attackers and those backing them. The government has the backing of all opposition parties in its fight against terrorism and India's response is likely to be "loud and clear" as Union defence minister Rajnath Singh had said yesterday.