Amidst the barbed wire barriers at the Line of Control lie terror launchpads with a singular mission: to infiltrate terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir. On the other side resides Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, a region of Indian territory under Pakistani military occupation. Despite repeated warnings against supporting terrorism, these launchpads continue to operate freely, enabling terrorists to carry out attacks within India.
Pakistan’s willful ignorance is evident as it denies any involvement in these nefarious activities. Recent terror incidents, such as the tragedy in Pahalgam where 26 civilians were brutally killed, once again shed light on Pakistan’s use of its occupied Kashmir region as a breeding ground for terrorism.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a “credible, neutral probe.” This statement reflects the long-standing pattern of Pakistani leaders turning a blind eye to the indigenous terror infrastructure within their borders. Throughout the history of India-Pakistan conflicts, terrorism has been a potent weapon wielded by Islamabad.
Decades of Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism
Since its inception, Pakistan has employed terrorism as a tool to further its geopolitical agenda. In 1947, Pakistan supported tribal militias in invading Jammu and Kashmir during Partition. This marked the beginning of Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a means of aggression.
Over the years, Pakistan’s terror tactics evolved. During the 1965 war, Pakistani soldiers infiltrated Kashmir under ‘Operation Gibraltar,’ attempting to incite unrest among locals disguised as civilians. Subsequent conflicts, such as the Kargil war in 1999, saw Pakistani terrorists crossing the border into Indian territory.
Pakistan’s reliance on proxy terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad has allowed it to distance itself from direct involvement in terrorist activities. These groups have orchestrated numerous attacks targeting civilians, minorities, and security forces in India, providing Pakistan with plausible deniability.
Impact of Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism
Since the 1990s, Pakistan-backed groups have carried out some of the deadliest terror attacks in India, including the infamous Pulwama attack in 2019. The 1993 Mumbai blasts, the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the 2016 Pathankot incident are stark examples of Pakistan’s support for terrorism on Indian soil.
Despite mounting evidence linking Pakistan to these attacks, Islamabad has consistently denied any involvement or failed to take action against the perpetrators. The Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, underscored Pakistan’s reluctance to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
Pakistan’s Evasion of Justice
Following each major terror incident, India has provided Pakistan with substantial evidence implicating its nationals in terrorist activities. However, Pakistan has either denied any wrongdoing or refused to take action, allowing masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi to operate freely within its borders.
Despite international pressure, Pakistan has made little progress in prosecuting those responsible for the Mumbai attacks. Its reluctance to cooperate in investigations and reluctance to extradite suspects have hindered efforts to combat terrorism effectively.
Pakistan’s Global Terror Network
Pakistan’s history of exporting terrorism extends beyond its borders, with links to terror attacks in countries like the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Afghanistan. Notorious figures like Osama bin Laden and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed have been found residing in Pakistan, highlighting its role in global terrorism.
Blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force for terror financing, Pakistan has a track record of freezing and unfreezing terrorists’ assets under international pressure. Its deceitful tactics and false claims in international forums have undermined global counterterrorism efforts.
Addressing the Pahalgam Attack
The recent terror incident in Pahalgam underscores Pakistan’s persistent use of terrorism to achieve its objectives. By calling for a “neutral probe” and deflecting blame onto “non-state actors,” Pakistan continues to evade accountability for its support of terrorism.
International scrutiny is essential to hold Pakistan accountable for its decades-long practice of fostering terror groups. Succumbing to Pakistan’s diversionary tactics only serves to perpetuate injustice and embolden future acts of terrorism.
