Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is promising a harsh response to Thursday’s terrorist attack by Pakistani terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Bombing an Indian security forces convoy, JeM killed at least 46 personnel in India’s northern Jammu and Kashmir province. And with a general election coming in April, Modi has added political reason to retaliate against Pakistan, possibly with limited military action.

Modi’s first reactions to the attack have certainly been aggressive. Speaking on Friday, the prime minister granted wide latitude to counterterrorism forces, pledging: “I want to tell the terror outfits and those abiding and abetting them that they have made a big mistake. They will have to pay a very heavy price for their actions. Let me assure the nation that those behind this attack, the perpetrators of this attack will be punished.” Reflecting Indians’ common fury, the normally Modi-agitating opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has thrown his full support behind the government. Politicians of all stripes know the public wants retaliation.