Beyond the Barbed Wire Fences: The Terror Launchpads of Jammu and Kashmir
In the Line of Control, terror launchpads operate with a single routine: sending terrorists across the boundary into Jammu and Kashmir. This region, known as Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, remains under Pakistani troops, providing a haven for terrorists to carry out attacks within India.
Despite repeated warnings from India, Pakistan continues to harbor terrorism. The recent Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, has reignited concerns about the links between Pakistan and terrorism. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for a "credible, neutral probe," highlighting the willful ignorance of Pakistani leaders over the years.
Pakistan’s Use of Terrorism Since 1947
Pakistan’s use of terrorism to achieve its geopolitical goals is not a new phenomenon. Since Independence in 1947, Pakistan has backed tribal militias to invade Jammu and Kashmir. The use of terrorism has been part of Islamabad’s aggressive policy, as evidenced by its involvement in the 1965 war and the Kargil conflict in 1999.
Terror Attacks Since the 1990s
Since the 1990s, terrorism sponsored by Pakistan has seen a significant increase in India. Groups armed and funded by Islamabad have carried out some of the deadliest attacks, including the 2019 Pulwama attacks. The Mumbai attacks in 1993 and 2008, the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, and the 2016 Pathankot attack are just a few examples of Pakistan’s involvement.
How Pakistan Obstructs Justice
India has provided Pakistan with evidence of their nationals being involved in spreading terrorism in India after every major attack. However, Pakistan has either denied involvement or refused to act, allowing terrorists to operate freely in their country. Seventeen years after the Mumbai attack, Pakistan has made no progress on the trial despite international pressure.
Pakistan’s Terror Track Record
Pakistan’s global track record of exporting terror is well-documented. Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 attack, was found living near a military academy in Pakistan’s Abbottabad. Other 9/11 conspirators, such as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, were caught in Pakistan. Several Pakistani citizens or groups backed by them have been involved in terror attacks across the globe, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan.
The Pahalgam Terror Attack
The Pahalgam massacre offers a clear view into Pakistan’s use of terror for achieving its goals. The same strategy that Pakistan has used for cross-border terrorism and to destabilize India over the decades has been seen in this attack as well. Calling for a "neutral probe" and blaming "non-state actors" has been part of an old tactic used by Pakistan to avoid accountability.
Conclusion
The repeated acts of terrorism stemming from a single source underline the need for a focus on the Pakistani state for enabling and exporting terrorism. It is time for the international community to hold Pakistan accountable, not just for this attack, but for maintaining a decades-old terror infrastructure. Succumbing to Pakistan’s "neutrality" rhetoric is a betrayal of justice, for the victims of Pahalgam and every prior act of terror linked to Pakistan.
Reference : https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/history-of-pakistans-terror-track-record-and-neutral-probe-calls-8320157#publisher=newsstand
