Priti Prakash
Terror needs extreme action. The act itself is extreme in nature. When terror strikes other countries they retaliate with equal force. Trump has sealed borders, sent back immigrants ruthlessly in the name of terror. The October 7, 2023 attack sent Israel’s bombing of Gaza which is into a year and a half. India too looses her patience now when every morning the headlines scream of some terror attack on its borders whose victims are innocent people. This time the anger in the entire country is palpable.
When the first reports came in, disbelief gripped the nation. Pehalgaon, known for its pine-covered slopes and pilgrim routes, had once again become a battleground. The ambush, meticulously planned and executed by terrorists backed by hostile elements across the border, was a grim reminder that the enemies of peace are relentless in their pursuit of chaos. As bodies were carried away and the injured were rushed to hospitals, the air was thick not just with smoke and dust, but with anguish and rage.
The families of the dead, who kissed their loved ones goodbye, now live with an eternal void. Their sacrifices demand more than ceremonial tributes—they demand action, accountability, and change. We must honor their tragedy and courage not just with words, but with policies that protect the living and ensure their deaths were not in vain.
India, in moments like these, must rise as one. The first and foremost step is tightening our national security apparatus. While our forces are among the bravest in the world, they often operate with limited real-time intelligence and inadequate equipment in hostile terrain. Greater investment in modern surveillance, drone technology, satellite imaging, and AI-driven data analysis is no longer optional—it is urgent. Our soldiers deserve nothing less than the best tools to pre-empt and neutralize threats.
Second, there must be a recalibration of our diplomatic and strategic posture. Cross-border terrorism cannot be fought by words alone. A clear, firm, and consistent message must be sent to all nations that harbor or fund terrorism—that such behavior will have tangible consequences. Sanctions, international isolation, and targeted cyber and economic strategies must be deployed in tandem with military readiness.
Internally, we must also address the ideological roots of terrorism. The youth in conflict-prone regions must be given hope, education, and economic opportunities. The cycle of radicalization thrives in the absence of vision and employment. By building more schools than prisons, more jobs than jails, we create an India that is not just stronger, but more just.
But perhaps most importantly, we must never allow terror to divide us. In our grief, let us not turn on one another. In our anger, let us not lose our humanity. Let Pehalgaon become not just a name associated with tragedy, but with unity and resolve.
The blood that was spilled in Pehalgaon calls out for justice. Let us answer that call—not just with vengeance, but with vision. Not just with force, but with fortitude. India must mourn—but India must also act.
