Former PM Devegowda hails India’s ‘mature and restrained’ military response to Pahalgam attack amid escalation

NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) founder HD Devegowda has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appreciating his leadership and government action amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan as both sides indulge in continuous retaliations, saying that the country’s military response to the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack has been “mature”.

“I write to you with a deep sense of appreciation, following India’s mature and restrained military response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack on May 7, 2025. I know it is lonely at the top there, and I also know that without a spiritual sense, deep reflection, and continuous prayer it is not easy to find balance and equanimity of judgment. You have demonstrated that you have it all in good measure in the last few days,” the letter read.

Devegowda further praised the Prime Minister for halting his scheduled international trips to remain available for emergencies and returning to India by cutting short his visit to Saudi Arabia to monitor the situation.

“I have been watching the determined steps that you have taken from day one, when you cut short your visit to Saudi Arabia and rushed back to monitor the developing situation in India, conduct strategy meetings, mobilise international support and inspire our armed forces. You also later cancelled your tour of Europe to be available at home for all emergencies,” the former PM said.

Calling PM Modi’s leadership “exemplary”, Devegowda said that the past couple of weeks have been demanding and stressful as India wages a war of ‘Dharma’ against the ‘Adharma’ of terrorism.

“I pray that God be with you, and with our great nation as we wage this war of dharma against the adharma of terrorism. India is a peace-loving nation and has always spread positive light in the world, but if someone sees it as our weakness, then, they now know, what we are capable of,” the letter read.

It comes as India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads against each other after terrorist camps were destroyed at nine locations in the neigbouring country, under Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the ghastly Pahalgam terrorist attack.

On Thursday, a complete blackout was enforced in Jammu after sirens were heard and explosions were reported near the Line of Control (Loc) in Poonch and Rajouri districts, amid rising tensions in the region.

The Border Security Forces (BSF) foiled a major infiltration attempt along the International Boundary in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The attempt was made around 11 pm on May 8. In a post on X, BSF Jammu wrote, “At around 2300 hours on 8 May 2025, BSF foiled a major infiltration bid at the International Boundary in Samba district, J&K.”

Additionally, defence sources confirmed that the Indian Army shot down two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The drones were intercepted amid a heavy exchange of artillery fire between Indian and Pakistani forces.

According to Indian officials, the strikes targeted infrastructure linked to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The operation was carried out in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. (ANI)