There is a reason I used the term "shell games" to describe such paroxysms of "anti-terror" activities carried out periodically by Pakistan.
Let me quote you here, to make certain points:
The response of the international community, not only USA describing Balakot as a counter-terrorism operation, but also China right down to OIC, should be an ample indicator of things to come for Pakistan.
The most pertinent give away is here. What majority in Pakistan, as also in India, are failing to realize (or intentionally ignoring) is that when PM Modi said that Pakistan stands isolated, it indeed is. The mere fact that US, UK and France, with French leading the pack, were quick to support Indian actions as a counter terrorist operation, with Russia following suit when President Putin, to quote, said "
We strongly condemn this brutal crime. The perpetrators and sponsors of this attack, undoubtedly, should be duly punished.", indicated an isolation in UN for Pakistan.
The hoopla of "higher than the mountains and deeper than the sea" notwithstanding, even China was quick to insulate itself against any fallout. People here, and this is pervasive in the larger society that this forum, perhaps, represents a sample of, assumed that China will intercede on behalf of Pakistan in any potential conflict with India. I think that it is time that Pakistan realizes that the game is much bigger than what they assume or take it to be, with Pakistan being a rather convenient pawn, willingly being used, by various extra-regional nations (out of Sub-continent), in their own games. If one takes into account the wider perspective, I have often challenged this very premise of the Pakistani members here, when I have tried to indicate the very nature of any treaty that the Chinese enter into being transitory and instance specific, subject to revision as per their convenience. China remains a threat for the Russians in the longer time frame - one should make no mistake in that, and Russians are very well aware of this situation, having undertaken 'integration' of the Russian Far East precisely when China was at it's weakest, a situation that Russia finds its self almost in. And hence, India will always be the Russian hedge for that eventuality. Many commentators here have rightly paraphrased that in international relations there are no permanent friends, only permanency is of interests, but failed to appreciate this picture, in the broader context.
If we examine the OIC meet at Abu Dhabi, one can find a self serving thread running on this forum itself, where Pakistani members in droves have hailed the apparent 'snub' to India over Kashmir. Or insult, or whatever word they fancy.
But little have people made an attempt to understand that the said Kashmir Contact Group met in Riyadh and not OIC meet at Abu Dhabi, and said precisely what it has being saying for decades, with a few editions. What remains a deliberate and self deluding attempt by Pakistani members here, is the underplaying of the fact that inspite of the Indian action on 26 Jan 2019, OIC did not rescind the invite to India as a Guest of Honor, something that it could have easily done citing Pakistan as a member and the prevailing tensions being not conducive for Indian presence at the summit.
What has Pakistan achieved? I am sure many will come out here and claim a plethora of accrued benefits and cheer the fact that Kashmir was mentioned in a sub-group, not associated with the OIC meet at Abu Dhabi, at Riyadh, which failed to even make a cut in the declaration of the summit adopted.
But those who are able to read the evolution of the global scenario over the present stand off, know precisely what is happening.
I am quite certain there will not be a nuclear exchange between the two parties. Both sides are too wise to let that happen, rest assured.
It is actually a veritable entertainment to read the 'war' here and over the internet. India is not going to fight, why should it? What will it achieve?
What will indeed happen, is India will maintain the present posture and continue it indefinitely. We have not mobilised our strike corps, the troops of pivot corps are in their routine locations, on standby to initiate hostilities if the political directive comes. PAF action on 27 Feb 2019 left the option to escalate/retaliate, with India. Everytime IAF decides to have 4 to 5 aircrafts converging, one can be sure PAF will be scrambling. On ground, from what I read here, PA has shifted troops from the Western Borders. Every day that the troops remain in place, is higher operating cost (CI grid deployment is always less costly than conventional posture). And India has not even recalled troops or moved any elements of Strike Corps yet. Indian Naval forces keep themselves in North Arabian Sea.
We may strike today, we may strike 10 days from now, we may strike 100 days from now, we have the economic capacity to continue this posture for a pretty long time, without ever striking. In the meanwhile, we will keep adding a fractions Pakistan's GDP per day, while Pakistan will be forced to review it's position as the creditors come knocking.
Come June, FATF will become interesting if this standoff continues.
Damn .... don't people see?