In the next round, it is highly probable that either the IAF or IN will fire Brahmos/Rampage/SCALP from safe distances. It will turn into a game of air defence and missiles very quick.
We are actually lacking quite hard in that domain. AD is minimal and rocket force has just been built. PAF jockeys can't shoot farther than their missile flies.
No telling when there'll be another big attack in Kashmir which kicks off the next round.
Why do you feel they did not fire from "safe" distances recently?
The brahmos has particular deployed areas - the IN Brahmos as well are within certain areas.
Take the Rampage for instance - its only got 90nm even at 36kft.
for an aircraft to come in and fire that means it is will within both existing HIMADs in Pakistan and PAF range to be pecked out.
On the other hand a MKI can sit comfortably protected behind Sirsa for e.g. and hit 80% of PAF and other targets
What should be interesting to you is that they chose to go with Air LORA and LORA even in SSM form despite having Prithvi's wired up for SSM strike... which tells you their response times with Prithvi(likely phased out) or Shaurya was not sufficient for their needs.
Then there is Brahmos from the sea...
This is a Babur with Smash sitting still fairly secure in Pakistani waters with potential CAP and so on.. see where it can reach
But then the Tushil sub-class with the Brahmos updated can also engage the Pakistani ships but not without putting itself in danger.
Moreover, even the Pakistani ships - while in danger - do have other AD elements behind them - normally kept for Karachi..
but those are mobile element AFAIK - and I could be wrong.
If they were.. that means a short drive to lets say close to where the PAF already has a radar site as well... means you put more of the Brahmos Range at risk.
point being -all is not as simple for India... nor is it simple for Pakistan