As tensions with India rise, Pakistan's longstanding assertion of an "Islamic arc of support" following the Pahalgam terrorist attack was challenged by sources on Sunday. Reports indicate that discussions with diplomats and representatives from various nations showed that Pakistan did not receive the expected support. Even the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), an entity with which India usually has minimal interaction, demonstrated caution and restraint.
"Numerous discussions took place with diplomats and representatives from various countries, and throughout these interactions, no one voiced support for Pakistan. Even the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with which India usually has minimal engagement, maintained a cautious stance. India contacted friendly nations within the OIC, and their statement was issued only after a delay, reflecting a tone that was notably less supportive than usual," sources reported. They added that Pakistan has frequently attempted to portray itself as having the backing of all Islamic countries, but recent developments have undermined this narrative.
India has received significant diplomatic backing from Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. During the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Saudi Arabia, where the government expressed its sympathy towards India. A source indicated that Saudi Arabia's response was supportive, while Malaysia also condemned the attack, asserting that the events in Pahalgam were unacceptable.
"Pakistan has long tried to depict the entire Islamic world as aligned with its position, but that is not the reality. Saudi Arabia showed particular empathy towards India during the prime minister's visit when the Pahalgam attack occurred. Likewise, Malaysia denounced the attack, labeling it as wrong. There was no Islamic coalition supporting Pakistan," the sources stated.
During a press conference, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai announced that over 100 terrorists had been eliminated in precision strikes conducted by the armed forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of Operation Sindoor. This operation targeted individuals involved in significant attacks, including the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Ghai emphasized that Operation Sindoor was designed with a specific military objective: to "punish the perpetrators and planners of the Pahalgam terror attack" and to dismantle their terror infrastructure. He also reiterated India's strong resolve and intolerance towards terrorism.
The Indian strikes resulted in the deaths of several "high-value targets," including Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed, who were linked to the hijacking of IC 814, commonly referred to as the Kandahar hijack, as well as the 2019 Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel. According to the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), these operations across nine terrorist strongholds led to the elimination of over 100 terrorists, including the aforementioned high-value targets. DGMO Ghai also noted that the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy played a significant role in these strikes. He emphasized that the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, along with many other assaults on armed forces and innocent civilians, compelled India to deliver a "strong statement of our resolve as a nation" against terrorism.
In the early hours of May 7, the Indian Armed Forces initiated Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). This operation was a direct response to the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national. Following India's operation, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, leading to increased cross-border shelling from Pakistan and subsequent retaliatory actions by the Indian Armed Forces. Border areas were placed on high alert, and blackouts were implemented during attacks from Pakistan.
On May 10, both countries reached an agreement to halt hostilities after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan on his Truth Social platform. However, just hours after this agreement to cease all military actions on land, in the air, and at sea, reports emerged of Pakistan violating the ceasefire. India's air defense intercepted Pakistani drones during a blackout in Srinagar. In a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that this constituted a breach of the earlier understanding and emphasized that India takes "very serious note of these violations." On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting at his residence on 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi, which included Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and the chiefs of the tri-services. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan were also in attendance. (ANI)
