Coverage Comparison
Two reports from Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language daily, covered the remarks of Lieutenant General Nauman Zakria at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Both reports agree that General Zakria, commander of Pakistan’s I Corps and the newly established Army Rocket Force Command, said Pakistan’s “resolute response” during the May 2025 conflict had “effectively debunked the notion of space for war in South Asia.” The accounts also concur that the conflict lasted four days, began after an attack on tourists in Kashmir, and ended after US intervention on May 10. However, the two reports diverge in emphasis: one focuses on the general’s strategic assessment, while the other expands on the implications of the new rocket force and provides expert commentary on the changing nature of deterrence.
Key Claims
- A four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025 began after an attack on tourists in Kashmir, which India blamed on Pakistan without providing evidence. Islamabad denied involvement and called for a neutral investigation, as reported by Dawn.
- Pakistan said it shot down five Indian aircraft in air-to-air combat, later revising the number to eight. The claim is carried by Dawn, but India has not confirmed these losses.
- US intervention on May 10 led to a ceasefire, according to both Dawn reports. No other mediating party is mentioned.
- General Zakria said Pakistan’s response demonstrated effective multi-domain operations, including tri-service synergy, cyber, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and space-based capabilities.
- The creation of the Army Rocket Force Command was announced at the Shangri-La Dialogue, where General Zakria was introduced as its commander. This is reported by Dawn, which describes it as a significant strategic shift.
- General Zakria warned that emerging technologies create “new vulnerabilities… risk of miscalculation… [and] compression of decision making timelines,” altering the nature of interstate conflict and strategic deterrence.
Perspectives
Pakistani military perspective
General Zakria framed the May 2025 conflict as a validation of Pakistan’s deterrence strategy. He argued that Pakistan’s response “debunked the notion of space for war in South Asia,” meaning that neither side can engage in conventional warfare without risking escalation. He also emphasized that continued Indian militarization and adversarial rhetoric undermine regional stability.
Regional security analysis
Dawn’s second report draws on experts, including Prof. Dr. Adil Sultan and Dr. Rabia Akhtar, to argue that the May 2025 conflict demonstrated that “limited war under the nuclear shadow is now a practical reality.” The analysts suggest that while nuclear weapons prevented full-scale war, they did not prevent sustained military confrontation involving missiles, drones, and air operations. The piece highlights that Pakistan’s shift from ‘Credible Minimum Deterrence’ to ‘Full-Spectrum Deterrence’ and the creation of a rocket force reflect an adaptation to this new reality.
International norms
General Zakria called for internationally accepted norms regarding the military use of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber operations, and space technologies. This aligns with broader global discussions at forums like the Shangri-La Dialogue, where states are grappling with the risks posed by emerging technologies. The general did not propose specific mechanisms, but his call underscores a shared concern about miscalculation and compressed decision-making timelines.
Conclusion
The May 2025 conflict and the subsequent remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue highlight a shifting strategic landscape in South Asia. While Pakistan’s military presents the outcome as a success for its deterrence posture, experts caution that the emergence of limited war under the nuclear shadow creates new risks. As both nations continue to modernize their arsenals and explore new technologies, the absence of robust crisis management mechanisms remains a significant concern for regional stability.