In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead, India’s Operation Sindoor has not only delivered a military response but a strategic reckoning. Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin’s candid remarks underscore the profound shift in the narrative surrounding Indo-Pak conflicts. “India won this both diplomatically and militarily,” Rubin told ANI, declaring that Pakistan went “running like a scared dog” to negotiate a ceasefire after Indian forces struck with precision.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), dealing a decisive blow to terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. India’s strikes neutralized over 100 militants, dismantled training camps, and crippled Pakistani air capabilities. In retaliation, Pakistan launched cross-border shelling and drone attacks—but these were met with swift Indian countermeasures that disabled radar systems and strategic airbases, forcing Islamabad to seek de-escalation by May 10.
Rubin emphasized that the world is now forced to confront Pakistan’s deep-rooted sponsorship of terrorism. “The fact that Pakistani officers in uniform attended terrorist funerals shows there is no line between the ISI and terror groups,” he noted, adding that India’s clarity of action has exposed this rot to the global stage.
What distinguishes this episode is not merely India’s military edge, but its ability to change the diplomatic calculus. Rubin pointed out that while Pakistan has historically initiated conflicts and spun domestic narratives of success, this time the outcome is glaring. “Pakistan can’t convince itself it won this 4-day war.”
Adding further pressure is the internal turmoil within Pakistan’s military establishment. Rubin raised questions about the leadership of Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, calling the military a “cancer on Pakistani society” and questioning whether it remains competent enough to reform. “Pakistan needs to clean house, but it’s an open question whether they are too far gone to do that,” he said.
The significance of Rubin’s commentary lies not just in its brutal honesty but in its timing. As global powers look to counter extremist threats, Pakistan’s dual role as a state and sponsor of terror can no longer be overlooked. India, meanwhile, has demonstrated the capacity to hit back hard—strategically, surgically, and with international support intact. The military escalation may have ended, but its geopolitical implications are only beginning to unfold.
