Pahalgam terrorist attack: India aims at decimation of the Pak terrorism-producing system

Time of India

26-04-2025

S D Pradhan has served as chairman of India's Joint Intelligence Committee. He has also been the country's deputy national security adviser. He was chairman of the Task Force on Intelligence Mechanism (2008-2010), which was constituted to review the functioning of the intelligence agencies. He has taught at the departments of defence studies and history at the Punjabi University, Patiala. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Illinois, US, in the department of arms control and disarmament studies. The ministry of defence had utilized his services for the preparation of official accounts of the 1971 war and the counterinsurgency operations in the northeast. In the JIC/National Security Council secretariat, he was closely involved with the preparation of the reports of the Kargil Review Committee and the Group of Ministers on national security as also with the implementation of their recommendations. His publications include two books and several articles. LESS ... MORE
Notwithstanding denial by Pakistani leaders, there is not even an iota of doubt that the act was carried out under the orders of the current Pakistani Army Chief. Since 2019, when Article 370 was removed, the developments became frustrating for the Pak Army and its unofficial army, i.e. the Pak-based terrorist groups. Mainly, there were three factors. First, the situation began to improve significantly in the region. Terrorist attacks came down significantly and local recruitment declined with economic growth touching 7.8% – a shade better than the national average. The tourism sector witnessed considerable growth that created employment opportunities for local youth. With better security measures, infiltrators were neutralised at the border. The Pak Army saw that its instrument to hold its sway on the Pak polity was slipping out. This was a worrisome situation for the Pak Army, which had used terrorism in Kashmir frequently to divert the attention of its people from the economic and political troubles.
Second, the regional developments were also against its interests. The Pak Army's hold on the Pak polity was contested increasingly by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The relations between Taliban Afghanistan and Pakistan worsened, adding to its difficulties. The TTP, with the support of Afghanistan, increased its attacks on the Pakistani security forces. In Baluchistan, the BLA and BLF intensified attacks on the Pak establishment. Simultaneously, the Pak economy was in shambles and every time it had to beg international financial institutions to postpone debt repayments and loans.
Third, India's active diplomacy placed counter-terrorism at the top of the agenda in all multilateral and bilateral agreements. The Indo-US Joint Statement called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, and Pathankot attacks and ensure that its territory was not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks. This was a strong message to Pakistan to stop supporting terrorist outfits on its soil. Earlier, a similar mention was made of the Pakistan-based terrorist groups in the joint declaration with Russia. In addition, India and Russia in 2021 agreed to form a permanent bilateral channel for consultations on countering the dissemination of terrorist ideology and drug threats emanating from the territory of Afghanistan. India's recent strategic partnerships with several countries included cooperation in counter-terrorism. Pakistan was getting marginalised on the issue of terrorism.
In the above fast-changing scenario, the Pak Army endeavoured to incite unrest and enhance radicalisation primarily through its unofficial army. It tried to create problems when the G20 Summit was taking place. A new terrorist outfit, Jabbaz Force in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was created by the Pak Army. It comprised army and air force personnel. Crucially, this force is led by a Pakistani Army veteran, Shehzad Ahmad, who participated in the 1999 Kargil conflict. Significantly, at that time, a geopolitical activist, Mark Kinra, pointed out the presence of the Kashmiri terrorist groups at the Kakul Military Academy, which provided irrefutable evidence of the support of the Pakistani Army to the Kashmiri terrorists. In February 2025, the LeT and others organised a conference in which the leaders of these terrorist outfits declared their plan to change the map of J&K.
Pakistan's Army chief General Asim Munir, in his address, described Kashmir as Pakistan's 'jugular vein,' and justified the two-nation theory. He also mentioned that Hindus and Muslims are different and asked the audience to tell their story to their children. He was suggesting that a violent demographic change was needed in Kashmir to achieve the Pak objective. His statement reflects a deeply ingrained, Islamist and anti-Hindu mindset. Pakistan continues to use terrorism as an instrument to deal with India, and this has not changed over the years. Munir's orders were followed by the meeting of his foot soldiers to finalise the operation. Initially, the responsibility was taken by the Resistance Front (TRF), but later under the influence of the Pak Army, it denied its involvement.
India's response is well calculated, with the PM making it clear that Pakistan will not be able to use its territory for sponsoring terrorism against India in future. The Pak leaders are making hilarious statements, boasting their capabilities. A look at the changed political environment should suffice to stop them from making ridiculous declarations. While the Indian forces are ready to deal with any situation, India is considering effective ways to destroy the terrorist infrastructure. India understands that terrorism can wither away only when its support systems- funding, arms, and recruitment- are dismantled and completely destroyed.
Of course, India would need international support to pressure Pakistan. The FATF's lackadaisical approach is harmful. It keeps Pakistan on the grey list and then removes it from the list based on Pakistan's statements. It should independently verify and stop treating Pakistan with kid gloves. Others should also see the role of the Pakistani Establishment in exporting terrorism and put it under severe sanctions to ensure it demolishes its terrorism-producing factories.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.