They say wars end when the guns fall silent — but sometimes, the real war begins when the headlines fade. That’s where we are now.

Pakistan, against all odds, pulled off what many thought impossible. We didn’t just defend ourselves — we humiliated a regional giant, forced the world to take notice, and shattered a myth that had been carefully polished and paraded for years. The Rafale, that gleaming crown jewel of French engineering, backed by billions of dollars and endless Indian chest-thumping, was brought down. And it wasn’t just one stray, lucky missile. No — it was methodical. Disciplined. Deliberate.

This victory, however sweet, has planted seeds of something more dangerous. Because if you think India is going to sulk in a corner and move on, you don’t know India. You don’t know how hardline nationalism reacts to humiliation. You don’t know what happens when a government — especially one built on spectacle and symbolism — watches its grand illusion crash to the ground in front of the world.

The pressure in Delhi right now isn’t just military. It’s political. It’s psychological. Modi can’t sell dreams of Vishwa Guru status while Pakistani jets are dancing through Indian defences. The opposition smells blood. The public wants revenge. The generals are seething. So yes, they’ll regroup. Quietly. Methodically. And they’ll wait for the right moment to strike — not necessarily where we expect it.

That’s what we need to understand. This isn’t over.

They’ve got options. Cyberwarfare? Absolutely. Knocking........

© Business Recorder