<h1>Head of state praises May 7 cross-border operation as lawful self-defence during religious festival, raising international law scrutiny</h1> The head of state framed a May 7 cross-border military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure as a decisive victory over terrorism during a public Dussehra event at the Red Fort, presenting it as a lawful response to an April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Legally, the remarks publicly endorse the government's self-defence and counterterrorism justification for the operation while using a religious festival for political messaging; the operation's characterization may prompt scrutiny under international law principles of sovereignty and proportionality even as it reinforces domestic support for security forces.