Latest news with #Terroristan
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First Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Operation Sindoor: A fitting blow to Pakistan, the global epicentre of terror
The warning is unambiguous: If Pakistan does not dismantle the terror infrastructure on its soil, India will read more Pakistan's political and military leadership must now reckon with the new reality—terror attacks on India will invite devastating consequences. Representational Image To call Pakistan a failed state and the epicentre of global terrorism is merely stating the obvious. Its long history of creating, nurturing, training, and funding terrorist outfits to attack innocents across the world is well documented. This reality justifies its notorious nickname—Terroristan. For decades, terrorism originating from and sponsored by Pakistan has been targeted primarily at India, with increasing focus on civilian targets. While the 26/11 Mumbai attack of 2008, under the UPA regime, remains the deadliest ever in terms of scale and casualties, the past 11 years under Modi government have witnessed three major terrorist attacks, all traced back to Pakistan's terror machinery: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Uri (2016): On September 18, 2016, terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked an Indian Army base near Uri in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district. Nineteen soldiers were killed and 30 others injured. Pulwama (2019): On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 personnel. The attacker, Adil Ahmed Dar, was affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pahalgam (2025): On April 22, 2025, the worst civilian terror attack since 26/11 took place in Baisaran Valley, a tourist hotspot in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Twenty-six innocent civilians were killed. An offshoot of the Pakistan-based and UN-designated Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility. Zero Tolerance for Terror To the best of public knowledge, the 26/11 attacks—India's most heinous civilian terror strike—went unanswered militarily. Had there been a resolute response then, perhaps Pakistan-backed terrorists would not have dared to carry out attacks at Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam. The Uri and Pulwama attacks marked a shift in India's strategic doctrine. Uri was avenged with surgical strikes by Indian forces on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), while Pulwama was followed by a targeted airstrike deep inside Pakistani territory. These strikes signalled India's new doctrine of zero tolerance to terror, which led to a brief pause in major Pakistan-sponsored terrorist activity. Munir's Provocation The provocation came again, this time from Pakistan's Army Chief and de facto ruler, General Asim Munir. On April 16, while addressing a Convention for Overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad, Munir made two provocative statements: The Jugular Vein: Referring to Kashmir, he said, 'It was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein. We will not forget it. We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle.' Two Nation Theory: Reviving the divisive ideology, he claimed Hindus and Muslims are different nations who cannot coexist. Pahalgam Attack Follows Soon after Munir's inflammatory rhetoric, the Pahalgam terror strike occurred, shockingly involving religious profiling and brutal killings of civilians in front of their families. Despite the earlier robust responses to Uri and Pulwama, the Pahalgam attack happened—underscoring the persistence of Pakistan's terror agenda. Making of Operation Sindoor This time, however, the perpetrators and their Pakistani handlers were unprepared for Operation Sindoor—a swift, resolute, and comprehensive military and political response by Bharat. Supported by citizens across the spectrum, and executed flawlessly by the armed forces, Operation Sindoor became a powerful message. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A New Paradigm: The New Normal On May 12, 2025, in his address to the nation post-Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Modi declared that the operation was only temporarily paused—not concluded. He unveiled a new anti-terror doctrine comprising three tenets—the New Normal: Zero Tolerance to Terror: Any terror attack will be met with a strict response at the source. No Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail: India will no longer be deterred by Pakistan's nuclear rhetoric and will strike at terror camps regardless. No Tolerance towards Terrorists and Terror-Sponsoring State: India will treat both the perpetrators and their state sponsors as legitimate military targets. The Indian Lion Roars On May 13, while addressing defence personnel at Adampur Air Base—targeted in the Pakistani strike on May 9—PM Modi issued a stern warning: 'Patrons of terrorism must now understand: harbouring evil designs against India will lead to one consequence—annihilation. Killing innocent Indians will result in one outcome—complete ruination.' Pakistan: A Global Terrorist Hub Is there proof of Pakistan's deep involvement in global terrorism? Yes—and it's overwhelming. Pakistan harbours UN-designated terrorists who operate freely, raise funds, and even receive state honours at funerals. Following Operation Sindoor, several high-profile funerals of terrorists were attended by top military officials—further implicating the state. Pakistan ranks second on the Global Terrorism Index (after Burkina Faso and ahead of Syria), a damning statistic. Its repeated appearance on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list (2008–10, 2012–15, 2018–20) highlights its failure to dismantle terror financing networks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Confessions by Pakistani leaders and military officials further expose the state's role. From Pervez Musharraf (2015) to Nawaz Sharif (2018), Imran Khan (2019), and most recently, Khawaja Asif and Bilawal Bhutto (2025)—the record is clear. Breaking the Nexus How did Pakistan become the world's terror epicentre? What is the nexus between its government, military, and terrorist organisations? The distinction between 'good terrorists' (those attacking India and Afghanistan) and 'bad terrorists' (who now threaten Pakistan itself) reveals the inherent contradictions in its policy. Making of Terrorism in Pakistan Australian scholar Eamon Murphy, in The Making of Terrorism in Pakistan (2014), provides a comprehensive account of the roots of extremism in Pakistan. Several contributing factors include: Islamisation: Declared a state religion in 1973. Religious Extremism: Dictator Zia-ul-Haq promoted Wahhabism in the 1980s, leading to an explosion of madrassas—from 900 to over 33,000. ISI and Osama Bin Laden: Post-1979 Afghan War, US and Saudi support was channelled through ISI, which empowered radical jihadist elements like bin Laden. Kalashnikov Culture: Radicalism, war refugees, and unchecked weapons created a violent domestic culture. These developments laid the foundation for terror outfits that later unleashed chaos across the globe—including the 9/11 attacks. India-Centric Terror Groups The Afghan war's aftermath (1989) created a pool of trained, radicalised jihadis with no war to fight. The ISI redirected them toward Kashmir, fueling a proxy war. Terrorist Organisations in Pakistan Pakistan is home to multiple terror groups, categorised by sect (Deobandi, Salafi, etc) and areas of operation (India, Afghanistan, the West). Prominent among them are: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Al Qaeda (Pakistan) Taliban Sipah-e-Sahaba (SSP) Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) United Jihad Council (UJC) Many of these groups have India as their primary target. India-Focused Terror Groups Among the most dangerous are: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT): Founded in 1986, LeT has been behind major attacks including the 2006 Mumbai train blasts and the 2008 Mumbai siege. Led by Hafiz Saeed, it operates openly in Pakistan. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM): Founded by Masood Azhar in 2000, following his release during the IC-814 hijacking. Known for suicide attacks, JeM was responsible for the 2001 J&K Assembly bombing and the Parliament attack. Smaller outfits like Al-Umar, Al-Badr, and Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen follow the same ideological path. What Next With Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Modi has issued a clear ultimatum: any future terror attack from Pakistani soil will be treated as an act of war. Pakistan's political and military leadership must now reckon with the new reality—further attacks will invite devastating consequences. The warning is unambiguous: If Pakistan does not dismantle the terror infrastructure on its soil, India will. The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
No politics in Tharoor's inclusion, Cong has internal issues, says Giriraj Singh
Union Minister Giriraj Singh said on Sunday that there was no politics in including Shashi Tharoor in the all-party delegation, which will visit foreign countries to expose Pakistan on cross-border terrorism, and that Congress has internal issues. As part of the Centre's 'Operation Sindoor', which follows the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam region that claimed 26 lives, India has formed seven all-party delegations to engage key partner countries on the global stage to expose Pakistan's terror links and garner international support. Speaking on Tharoor's participation, Giriraj Singh said, 'Today, the Congress party has become a party where no one speaks positively for the country's interests. It only engages in negativity, whether it is defaming India abroad or otherwise. Now, this delegation is going abroad, and if Shashi Tharoor is going as part of it, then what is the politics in this? This reflects the internal conflicts within the Congress party.' The delegation includes leaders from across party lines, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, BJP leaders Ravi Shankar Prasad and Baijayant Panda, DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Supriya Sule of NCP(SP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde from Shiv Sena. The teams are also accompanied by experienced Indian Foreign Service officers to enhance the effectiveness of this outreach. BJP National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain lauded the effort, stating, 'To highlight the success of Operation Sindoor, India's decisive actions, and its heroic legacy, seven delegations have been formed. Each of the seven delegations includes experienced leaders and IFS officers who will visit various countries to share India's valour and expose 'Terroristan.' This is a very commendable decision by Prime Minister Modi.' BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh echoed this sentiment, calling the initiative a 'diplomatic surgical strike' against Pakistan. 'The decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to send an all-party parliamentary delegation across the world to expose Pakistan's vile, cheap, corrupt and terrorist face is commendable,' he said. 'The delegation will inform the global community about how Pakistan has been running a world-class university of terrorism.' Janata Dal (United) leader K.C. Tyagi also welcomed the move, describing it as a 'commendable step by the Government of India,' and an ideal opportunity to expose 'Pakistan's lies' on the global stage. In a separate remark, Giriraj Singh commented on the growing sentiment among Indian tourists boycotting countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan. 'Pakistan has become a terrorist country recognised by the whole world today. The courage of the Indian Army has shown the entire world that no one can stop the destruction and devastation of this terrorist country. However, the people naturally feel anger towards any country that supports India's enemy, Pakistan,' he said. 'No country, whether it is an enemy or a supporter of the enemy, can ever be in India's interest, be it Turkey or any other.'
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Weapon hawkers' gain, India's pain
It's certain some of them were involved in the West Asian deals. Saudi Arabia's $142-billion arms deal with the US during President Donald trump's visit is part of a wider $600-billion push that keeps defence stocks soaring even as West Asia burns. And now, India is being coaxed to join this cycle more deeply—pushed to purchase the US THAAD missile defence system, expand drone arsenals, and further militarise its border regions. But this path demands a reckoning: every rupee spent on war is a rupee not spent on schools, hospitals or rural development. Every drone exported is a gamble that someone, somewhere, will need to bleed. It feeds the bloodthirstiness of the deep state actors. To break the chain, India must act with courage. It must silence the Terroristan that flourishes across the border now to ensure a Viksit Bharat in future. Later, it can slash the bloated defence budget and re-route those funds toward education, health, climate resilience and advanced intelligence networks. Peace does not mean passivity. It means investing in the future, not in the flames of perpetual retaliation. The deep state thrives on endless war. But a confident India does not need to feed it. The question is not whether India can win battles. It already has. The question is whether India can win peace—without selling her soul to those who profit from her pain. Behind the flags and speeches, beneath the uniforms and parades, lies a machine without a face, a system without a conscience—the deep state. Not the fantasy of conspiracy theorists, but a very real confluence of interests: the defence industry, intelligence agencies, political insiders, lobbyists, and private contractors. Their goal is not national security. It is continuity. Stability for themselves; profits for their shareholders; and influence, at any cost. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems are not just corporations. They are policy-shapers, campaign donors, boardroom strategists in the war economy. In 2023, American defence companies spent over $130 million lobbying the US Congress. Why? Because every fighter jet, every missile system, every overseas deployment means revenue. In 2024 alone, Lockheed Martin earned $67.6 billion—most of it from government contracts. War is their business model. The deep state's hidden persuaders don't care who wins—only that no one stops fighting. In West Asia, it armed Saudi Arabia and Israel. In Asia, it eyes Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific with anticipation. In India, it sees the perfect mix: a powerful democracy facing a hostile neighbour, a growing budget, and a taste for strategic autonomy. If any nation truly wants sovereignty, it must unshackle itself from the war economy. That requires not just courage, but clarity to see that those selling the weapons are rarely invested in the outcome. Because for them, war is never a failure. It's the business plan. PRABHU CHAWLA prabhuchawla@ Follow him on X @PrabhuChawla
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bawhalpur? Bombs away!
(PTI photo) TOI Correspondent from Washington: It is not just drones and missiles that are bearing down on Pakistan aka Terroristan. Words too. Amid the fog of war, the world has begun to call out Islamabad -- sometimes bluntly and sometimes subtly -- for promoting terrorism as a policy instrument. The Trump administration's statements following calls to Islamabad and New Delhi on Thursday were instructive in this regard. This first para of state department read-outs were identical: Secretary Marco Rubio spoke today with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif/ Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. "The Secretary emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation. He expressed U.S. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications." Then it diverged. To Jaishankar: The Secretary reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism. To Sharif: The Secretary expressed sorrow for the reported loss of civilian lives in the current conflict. He reiterated his calls for Pakistan to take concrete steps to end any support for terrorist groups. Big difference. Not that terroristan aka denialistan is likely to listen, even though it is now being called out by a range of US leaders. From Nikki Haley: Terrorists launched an attack that killed dozens of Indian citizens. India had every right to retaliate and defend itself. Pakistan does not get to play the victim. No country gets a pass for supporting terrorist activity. A more graphic reminder of Pakistan's tolerance, if not nurturing of terrorism, came from Asra Nomani, the former Wall Street Journal associate of the correspondent Daniel Pearl, who recalled in graphic detail his death in 2002 at the hands of Pakistani terrorists who had a free run during General Musharraf's rule. One of the principals of that murder was killed in India's bombing of Bawahalpur on Wednesday, Nomani noted with satisfaction. This is the recollection she posted on social media: "I still have chills in my heart from when I first heard that town's name in late January 2002. For the 23 years since, I have reported on how Pakistani intelligence and military leaders have used that city — Bahawalpur — in the southern province of Punjab as a base for its homegrown domestic terrorists. When I heard India bombed training camps in Pakistan this week in Operation Sindoor, in response to a Pakistani terrorist rampage in India's Kashmir state, I had one city's name on my lips: Bahawalpur. Did India bomb Bahawalpur? It did. I knew then India was striking actual hubs for Pakistan's homegrown domestic terrorism. Why do I know? My friend, WSJ reporter Danny Pearl, went to Bahawalpur in December 2001 with a notebook and a pen. Gen. Pervez Musharraf had just promised he was shutting down Pakistan's militant groups after a strike by Pakistan's terrorists against the Parliament in India, and Danny reported on the militant offices in Bahawalpur. He literally knocked on their doors. Dear Dr @yudapearl, this story is a window into Danny's reporting enterprise. And because people will wonder: Danny was no cowboy. This was a calculated low-risk reporting trip because no journalist had been targeted for kidnapping in Pakistan. Around that time, Danny sent me an email: 'I'm anxious to go to Afghanistan, but I'm not anxious to die.' What did Danny learn? The militant training camps were open for business in Bahawalpur. On Jan. 23, 2002, Danny left a home I had rented in Karachi, Pakistan, for an interview. I learned Danny's fixer, Asif Farooqi, had arranged an interview for Danny through a man named 'Arif.' Danny didn't know it but Arif was the PR man for a militant group, Harkutul Mujahadeen. What was Arif's hometown? Bahawalpur. The police launched a manhunt to find Arif in Bahawalpur. We learned Arif's family faked a funeral for Arif. Police found him trying to board a bus in Muzaffarabad, across the country by Pakistan's border with Kashmir. It is another town India said it bombed terrorist training facilities. Arif had handed Danny off to Omar Sheikh,a British-Pakistani dropout from the London School of Economics, radicalized in the 1990s in London mosques. He went to Pakistan to train in these militant training camps. Then he kidnapped tourists in India. He was caught and jailed but on Dec. 31, 1999, he was traded for hostages in the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. Omar Sheikh was freed with Pakistani terrorist leader Masood Azhar, whose family was allegedly killed this week by India's air strike in Bahawalpur. Did Pakistan jail Omar Sheikh and Masood Azhar when they returned to Pakistan with a third terrorist, freed from India's jails? No. Pakistan's military and intelligence gave them safe passage. They used them as weapons against India. But in fact these domestic terrorists have waged war against innocents in Pakistan, like civil society activists, Benazir Bhutto, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, schoolchildren and countless others. Their extremism has ruined Pakistan, and Pakistanis can't blame America for creating the mujahideen to fight the Soviets in the 1980s. Pakistan has had a duty to dismantle those terrorist bases — for even the safety of its own people. What India is doing is a strategic attack on terrorist bases Pakistani military and intelligence should have eliminated but never did in their obsession to take over Kashmir."
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Not only 26/11 or Pahalgam, overwhelming evidence links Pak to multiple global attacks
Not only 26/11 or Pahalgam, overwhelming evidence links Pak to multiple global attacks Chidanand Rajghatta May 2, 2025, 18:17 IST IST For over three decades Pakistan-born and bred terrorists have struck across the world, with impunity and with very little consequence to the state who uses them as assets But for the heroism of assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Omble, who, armed with just a lathi, threw himself at Ajmal Kasab amid a hail of gunfire at a police check post during the 26/11 attack on Mumbai, thus enabling his police colleagues to capture the Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, Pakistan, aka Terroristan aka Denialistan, might still have managed to hoodwink the world about its depredations in India – and indeed across the globe. For years, going back to multiple attacks on Mumbai, including serial bomb blasts that killed scores, to the attack on India's Parliament in New Delhi and the Akshardham temple in Gujarat, Pakistan maintained a facade of deniability about its role in terrorist attacks in India and across the world. This was made possible because its proxies and perpetrators either died in suicide attacks or escaped. 26/11 was different.
