@
muse
This statement of Saran is a policy decision of GoI.
What it means is that that the GoI will consider a tactical nuclear strike on its military forces even on Pakistani soil as an attack on Indian mainland and
may retaliate with a strategic level strike.
The key word here is that GoI reserves the right to strike strategically in response to a tactical one but it may not exercise that option as well.
The most likely response to a tactical nuclear strike on Indian forces in Pakistan is multiple tactical nuclear strikes on Pakistani defence formations.
That is why there are 8 IBG's and they are trying to make them very mobile with NBC capable ICV's. The loss of one should not be enough to halt the entire offensive.
And leave it up to Pakistan again - whether it chooses to escalate or not. In both the scenarios multiple locations of Pakistani territory get nuclear bombed.
Though I completely agree with @
third eye. It would be the foolishness of the
highest order to attack Pakistan and give Pakistani's a reason to unite and pull their country out of the morass. Far easier to let things play out and nudge along the way.