Actually we did show restraint. When we launched attack at their bases, it was show of intent capability but what should have been done in that window was delivering big blow - that allows India breather for next 5 years. Which means some of the military ammo dumps should have been targeted also. Next 5 years so that Pakistan spends its forex on rebuilding and replenishment and not on building further. But hindsight is 20/20.
One can be rest assured of one thing. Op Sindoor happened because trump was there. If Demos were there, our response would have been muted. And on the basis of that we may not get similar window of opportunity to pummel Pakistan capabilities to decade back again soon.
During the initial discussions on what our response would be, the decision we reached in this forum was that we will hit terrorists, openly, publicly and with proof.
But, we escalated it to hitting their bases with impunity over the next few days. That was beyond what we had initially thought our response would be.
I agree with how pressure from US played a part. That is expected part and parcel of the dynamics at play.
point though is, our base line response to any future terrorist attack is now firmly established. This was not the case pre 2014.
That is the paradigm shift.