NCA's Nuclear Threat: India's Fierce Answer to Pakistan's Terror Onslaught

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India-Pakistan tensions: The India-Pakistan border is once again a battlefield. Missiles, airstrikes, and shelling have pushed tensions to a dangerous level. On May 10, 2025, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called an emergency meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA)—the top body that controls Pakistan's nuclear weapons. This raised alarm globally. As reported by Reuters , this came after Pakistan's missile attack on a key Indian site. In response, India launched devastating strikes on four Pakistani airbases—Noor Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), Rafiqui (Shorkot), and one undisclosed base. As tensions rise between two nuclear-armed neighbours, India's tough stance is not only justified—it is necessary, despite the looming nuclear threat.
The latest escalation began with Pakistan firing a long-range missile at a key Indian location. But India's advanced air defence systems, including the S-400 and Akashteer, successfully intercepted and destroyed the incoming missile in the Western Sector. India hit back hard, targeting Pakistani airbases and destroying key military assets. Indian forces also demolished Pakistani posts and terror launchpads near Jammu, which were used to send drones into Indian territory. As shelling intensified in Naushera, Srinagar was placed on high alert, and surface-to-air missile systems were activated.
This conflict has deep roots. It stems from India's Operation Sindoor—a precision military strike on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, launched after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. For decades, India has suffered from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism—from the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, to the 2019 Pulwama bombing. India's patience has now worn thin. Operation Sindoor and the airstrikes signal a firm message: Terrorism will now face crushing retaliation.
But the price is heavy. In Rajouri, Pakistani shelling killed Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa—a loss that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called 'devastating.' On the other side, Pakistan claims 13 civilians died and over 50 were injured in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Civilians are caught in the middle of a conflict caused by Pakistan's failure to dismantle its terror infrastructure. Daily life is in turmoil—Pakistan closed its airspace till noon on Saturday, stranding flights, while India suspended operations at 32 airports until May 14. Even the Indian Premier League has been paused, and Pakistan's Super League has shifted to the UAE.
What makes this crisis more serious is the National Command Authority (NCA)—Pakistan's highest body responsible for nuclear decisions. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes top leaders like Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Army Chief General Asim Munir. The NCA controls the use, safety, and deployment of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and strategic missiles. Although the military announced the NCA meeting, Defence Minister Asif later denied that it was scheduled, claiming the nuclear option is a 'very distant possibility.' Still, the mere mention of the NCA raised global concern.
Pakistan has long used its nuclear capability as a shield to continue sponsoring terrorism, avoiding direct retaliation. It has no official no-first-use (NFU) policy. In fact, since 2011, Pakistan developed tactical nuclear weapons for use on the battlefield. In 2024, a senior NCA adviser openly admitted that Pakistan does not follow NFU.
India's recent actions are about protecting its people, not provoking war. Striking terror launchpads, destroying drones, and crippling airbases are strategic moves to weaken Pakistan's terror support system. Some critics warn of escalation, but silence would only embolden terrorists. Pakistan's military—which holds enormous power over its government—must face consequences for sheltering terrorists and launching provocative attacks like the recent missile strike.
Despite the situation, India has shown restraint. The Foreign Ministry emphasized non-escalation even after neutralizing Pakistani threats. India is also speaking with global mediators like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Arabia's Adel al-Jubeir, who are urging both nations to calm tensions. Pakistan's military, in a social media post, urged India to choose 'dialogue and diplomacy like civilized nations.' But talk means little unless Pakistan cracks down on terror groups and stops cross-border attacks. India rightly insists on accountability before any dialogue.
For Indians, this is a moment of courage and pride. The armed forces have displayed exceptional skill—intercepting enemy missiles and executing precise airstrikes. But the toll is high: lives lost, resources strained, and a tense region. India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty shows how serious this crisis is—it could also become a bargaining tool for future talks. India must continue to balance military strength with caution, deterring terrorism while avoiding wider conflict.
Pakistan, with its failing economy and recent $1 billion IMF bailout, cannot afford prolonged conflict. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, pressured by both hardliners and the military, must now choose: escalation or de-escalation. The U.S., Saudi Arabia, and others must push Pakistan to act against terror groups and reopen backchannel dialogue. Steps like reopening airspace and halting shelling could begin the path to peace.
India's fight is not with the people of Pakistan, but with those using terrorism as a weapon. For too long, India has been the victim of proxy war. Operation Sindoor and the latest strikes have made India's message loud and clear: We will strike back—hard, fast, and without apology. Peace in the region depends on Pakistan dismantling its terror infrastructure. Until then, India will remain strong and vigilant. The NCA's nuclear threat may loom, but India's resolve is stronger.
(The author, Girish Linganna, is an award-winning science writer and Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. He can be reached at girishlinganna@gmail.com)

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