- India carried out “non-military preemptive” strikes on the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed militant outfit.It was carried out after receiving credible intelligence that the terror outfit was attempting suicide attacks in various parts of the country.
- A non military preemptive strike means that a military target has not been hit by the Indian Air Force that carried out the strikes.
- Hitting a military target would be construed as an act of war.India, therefore, clarified that it was a non military strike. By calling it a preemptive action, it has taken the diplomatic pressure off itself that it acted to take revenge or for retribution. It has instead made it an act of self defence.
- International law gives countries the right of self-defence but there is less clarity about pre-emptive self-defence. Countries like the United States and Israel have invoked this right. This is the first time India has formally used the right of self defence doctrine.
