India, April 21 -- The Pahalgam terror attack on this day a year ago revealed the ruthless ambitions of an army chief and his willingness to risk high costs to achieve his objectives. That story is yet to close. As Pakistan revels in the acclaim of mediation, the reality is that it is still dangerously unstable, and Field Marshal Asim Munir knows it. The ruthless efficiency of Operation Sindoor is unlikely to restrain him in a world where war is now the norm rather than the exception. For Pakistan, the answer has always been the same. Another day, another attack, and perhaps more rewards.

Consider the days before Pahalgam. The arrest of then-Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, the massive protests that followed, and the infamous use of m...