The recent terrorist attack in Kashmir is not just an isolated tragedy—it is a wake-up call that demands a clear and courageous response. 

To respond to such attacks properly, let’s reflect around the acronym HIT: Hate, Intent, Thwart.

H – Hate, not anger, drives such attacks

There is a fundamental difference between anger and hate. Anger is hot. It flares up, but over time, it can subside. Hate is cold-blooded. It is calculated, nourished, and sustained over time. 

The nature of the attack in Kashmir shows it was not an emotional outburst of anger—it was a premeditated, carefully executed act fueled by deep-rooted hate. When hate drives actions, time does not heal wounds; instead, hatred festers and strikes again and again. Waiting passively in the hope that things will settle is a dangerous illusion.

I – Intent to disrupt peace and stability

This attack was not random violence. Its intent was targeted:

  • To sabotage the restoration of normalcy in Kashmir.
  • To disrupt tourism, derail economic recovery, and perpetuate instability.

There is a sinister design at play—to keep people in the valley uneducated, unemployed, and undeveloped. When youth are denied education and employment, they become easy prey for indoctrination and radicalization.

Recognizing this intent is critical. It’s not just an attack on individuals; it’s an attack on the very process of peace-building and societal healing.

The Bhagavad-gita teaches that each of us has a svadharma—a duty aligned to our role. Administrators and protectors have a dharma to safeguard order and counter the forces of adharma. Failures of intelligence and lapses in preventive action must be studied—but more importantly, the intent to destroy peace must be thwarted decisively.

T – Thwart the designs by being forceful and resourceful

How do we thwart the malicious designs of those who attack us?

First, we must avoid two dangerous extremes:

Extreme 1: Passive restraint, doing nothing significant, hoping peace will return by itself. We tried that after the Mumbai bombings—and it only emboldened the enemies.

Extreme 2: Blind overreaction, where anger leads to poorly thought-out wars, causing massive collateral damage and benefiting only arms manufacturers—not peace.

Neither naivety nor rashness will serve us. Instead, we need a Kshatriya response—balanced and strong: 

  • Forceful in hitting back against the perpetrators. Not allowing the agents of terror to feel they can strike and escape unpunished.
  • Resourceful in restoring the broader fabric of peace and stability. Multi-pronged strategies—military, political, educational, cultural, and economic—must be harmonized.

Kshatriyas, as described in the Gita, are not afraid of confrontation. They are courageous, but also expert and strategic. We can pray that our leaders can embody both these qualities at this critical time.

Terrorism is the opposite of the spirit of Kshatriya dharma. Kshatriyas protect; terrorists destroy. Kshatriyas restore order; terrorists revel in chaos. Kshatriyas fight with honor; terrorists kill with cowardice. It is Kshatriya–dharma to crush terrorism. Indeed, heroes cherish such opportunities to fight for virtue. (Bhagavad Gita 2.32)

While government authorities must find the strength and balance to be both forceful and resourceful, we too have a role to play, according to our svadharma. 

As citizens, we can:

  • Strengthen India economically—by contributing productively to society.
  • Strengthen India culturally and spiritually—by preserving and promoting our timeless heritage.
  • Strengthen India geopolitically—by standing united against forces that seek to divide us.

Doing our svadharma in whatever role we have is the greatest contribution we can make to honoring the lives lost and securing the future of our nation. 

Let us not bend. Let us not break. Let us not belittle our role, even if it feels small. 

Let us HIT back—with clarity, courage, and commitment.