Modi Warned Vance of Strong Retaliation; Pakistan Reached Out to US After Base Strikes

On May 9, US Vice President J. D. Vance informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about alarming intelligence that suggested a high probability of escalation if conflict continued into the weekend. In response, Modi conveyed that India would strike back harder, deeper, and bigger if Pakistan provoked further. The Indian armed forces launched precision strikes on Pakistani military bases after Pakistan attempted to target 26 locations along India's northern and western frontiers on May 9 and 10. These attempts were thwarted by Indian air defense systems, marking a significant escalation in Pakistan's aerial attacks, which had previously involved fewer drone targets. India retaliated with precision strikes on eight Pakistani military bases, including Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot. Sources described the retaliation as a “hellfire,” causing significant damage to Pakistani air bases like Rahim Yar Khan and Chaklala.

The retaliation followed a strategic directive from Prime Minister Modi to the armed forces, reinforcing that any provocation from Pakistan would be met with a robust response. Despite an impending ceasefire, India continued to deliver strong military action. On May 10, calls between Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir and US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, led to Pakistan reaching out to India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai to discuss halting military action. They agreed to ceasefire and stop firing.

The Indian government’s objectives following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack were primarily political, military, and psychological. Politically, India aimed to raise the cost of Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism, especially after the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam attack. Diplomatic measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, were taken to convey that Pakistan’s actions would not go unpunished. Militarily, India drew lessons from its past surgical strikes in Uri (2016) and Balakot (2019). The targets chosen were significant terror sites, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad, sending a strong message that India would target terrorist sanctuaries and their leaders, not just camps.

Psychologically, India aimed to send a clear message that no place, whether in Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was safe for terrorists. Indian leaders, from Prime Minister Modi to External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, conveyed India’s resolve to hit back at terror targets. The message to the world was simple: "If they fire at us, we fire at them. If they stop, we stop."

Pakistan’s attacks escalated in frequency and ambition, with the May 10 strikes targeting locations as far as Sirsa. India’s "hellfire" response inflicted significant damage to Pakistani military bases, some of which were near sensitive nuclear installations. India’s military superiority became evident during this period, prompting Pakistan to seek US mediation, but India rejected this, stressing that only military-to-military communication channels existed.

Sources highlighted that the political, military, and psychological actions were meant to establish a “new normal” where Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism would no longer be tolerated. The US involvement in mediating the ceasefire was seen as stemming from Pakistan’s request, with India clarifying its stance: the conflict would only end when Pakistan vacates Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Operation Sindoor is ongoing, with India maintaining operational readiness to respond to future provocations.