Beyond the barbed wire in the control area lies a launch point for terrorism, primarily to dispatch operatives into Jammu and Kashmir. On the opposing side sits Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a region under Pakistani military control, where these operatives often cross the barriers to execute domestic attacks.
Despite countless warnings to Pakistan regarding its role in harboring terrorists, these launch sites continue to operate without hindrance. Islamabad’s indifference is glaring.
Following the tragic massacre of 26 civilians in Baisalang Meadow last month, renewed evidence of Pakistani connections surfaced, further exposing how the territory under Pakistani control is used for terrorism.
In his first remarks about the incident, Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif called for a “reliable, neutral investigation.” This statement underscores a persistent pattern of denial among Pakistani leaders regarding their longstanding support for terrorism. It reflects a historical context where terrorism has been wielded by Islamabad as a key strategy.
Since 1947, the use of terrorism by Pakistan has been evident. From the outset, Islamabad has employed militant tactics to achieve its geopolitical ambitions. In the tumultuous times of partition in 1947, Pakistan backed tribal militias to invade Jammu and Kashmir.
Terrorism has evolved since then, as seen in the 1965 war when Pakistani forces executed “Operation Gibraltar.” Disguised as locals, they aimed to ignite rebellion in Kashmir, a strategy that ultimately failed.
Again, in 1999, during the Kargil conflict, Pakistani terrorists infiltrated the border. Initially denying involvement, changes came when evidence linked them to the attacks.
Pakistan’s use of proxy terror groups has allowed it to remain in the background while orchestrating various attacks through entities like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, which targeted Indian civilians and security forces. This indirect approach has offered Islamabad a façade of plausible deniability.
Since the 1990s, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism has surged in India. Funded and armed by Islamabad, groups have executed some of the deadliest attacks, including the notorious 2019 Pulwama incident.
In 1993, bombings claimed 267 lives in Mumbai, with Pakistan’s master planner Dawood Ibrahim remaining beyond reach despite international sanctions. In 2001, an attack on the Indian Parliament was orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammad. India later traded Masood Azhar, the group’s leader, to free hostages from a hijacked plane in 1999.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks, attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba, showcased Pakistan’s involvement through the capture of Ajmal Kasab and other evidence. Then, in 2016, a terrorist assault on the Indian Air Force Base in Patankot went unanswered by Pakistani authorities, despite international inquiries.
The Pulwama attack in 2019, which resulted in 40 casualties among Indian paramilitary, further demonstrated Islamabad’s unwillingness to acknowledge its complicity.
Despite India presenting clear evidence linking Pakistani citizens to major terrorist incidents, Islamabad has continuously evaded responsibility. Individuals like Hafiz Saeed and Zaki ul Rehman Lakhvi have operated freely, and there has been little progress on the Mumbai trial despite global pressure.
The global ramifications of Pakistan’s export of terrorism are well documented. Osama bin Laden was found living near a military academy in Abbottabad, and numerous individuals connected to global attacks have emerged from Pakistan.
Although blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force for financing terrorism, Pakistan has attempted to obscure its connections, making false claims about the status of individuals involved in terror acts—claims that were quickly refuted.
The recent massacre in Pahargam highlights Pakistan’s strategic use of terror to pursue its objectives, reflecting its longstanding tactics against India. Even calls for “neutral investigations” serve as a smokescreen, aiming to divert attention from its own accountability.
This persistent threat illustrates the urgent need for the international community to address Pakistan’s role in terrorism and to hold it accountable for sustaining such infrastructures of violence. Not acting upon Pakistan’s deceptive “neutrality” claims undermines justice for the victims and enables further acts of terror.
