ENOUGH IS ENOUGH DISMANTLE WARMONGERINGS

 

The recent carnage in Pahalgam on Apr 22, where 26 tourists were brutally massacred, is deeply shocking; yet the vulnerability of unmanned and unsecured tourist destinations to terror attacks should have been anticipated and addressed with stronger preventive measures. Infiltration across the porous line of control (LoC) is not a new trend, it persisted since 1947, which intensifies with the melting of snow across the Himalayan range, yet the recent lapse in securing Pahalgam, one of the region’s key tourist attractions, raises many questions.

In 35 years of combating terrorism and restoring a sense of security, tourism had gradually picked up particularly after 2014, following a change of government at the centre; it further accelerated post 2019 after the abrogation of Art 370. Yet, the current oversight in safeguarding key tourist sites, such as the serene valleys around Pahalgam including Betaab, Aru and Baisaran, etc known for its natural beauty, which see a heavy influx of tourists during spring and summer times, reveals persistent vulnerabilities. The absence of security forces in these areas, during tourist peak times, reflects a serious security lapse. Such gaps continue to challenge India’s territorial integrity and national security at a time when stability and normalcy had begun to firmly take root. This is the fifth terror attack on the Southern part of Pahalgam Kashmir.

The earlier were on 02 Aug 2000 in Nunwan Base camp where 32 people were killed; July 2001, 13 were killed on way to Amarnath at Shisha; 30 July and 06 Aug 2002, 11 Yatris were killed at Chandanwari base camp; 10 July 2017 Amarnath yatra bus at Kulgam was attacked and 8 were killed and now 22 Apr 2025 in Baisaran meadow, 26 were killed. A total of 90 people have been killed since 2000 in and around Pahalgam area, along the enroute to Amarnath and now once again, this popular tourist destination has become a flash point for terrorist activity. Why Pahalgam The events in Pahalgam unfold several worrying trends. The Southern Kashmir encompassing the districts Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian have long been known as terrorist strongholds and appear to remain active. Pakistan, through its sustained proxy war, continues to foment unrest, is hell bent to “bleeding India with a thousand cuts.”

Despite international pressure, the Pakistani military and its proxies have intensified their hybrid warfare blending terrorism, psychological propaganda of Hindu - Muslim divide and cyber warfare, to destabilize Kashmir and India’s national security. The attack in Pahalgam appears driven by two reasons: strategic and tactical. Pahalgam is one of the most renowned tourist destinations and the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra. By targeting Pahalgam at the start of peak season, terrorists sought to tarnish the image of religious harmony and instill fear.

 Therefore, by targeting Hindus at Pahalgam, Kashmir’s image of religious divide has been reignited once again, as was in and after 1989. Secondly, since 2019, Kashmir had witnessed relative stabilization, the economy was recovering, and employment opportunities were improving, and post September 2024 state assembly elections, public trust had further strengthened. Authorities had begun to believe that the era of frequent attacks was almost over. By striking at the heart of the tourist hub now, Pakistan-backed elements aim to cripple the local economy, breed resentment, and destabilize the region once again as was in 1989-90.

Targeting civilians in what was perceived as a ‘safe zone’ is intended to create widespread panic, erode public confidence, and fuel propaganda through fear and disruption. Not an insurgency This is not merely an insurgency; it is a proxy war fueled by terrorism since 1989. In terms of the larger scenario, Pakistan’s military establishment continues to exploit Kashmir as the “unfinished agenda” of partition, employing jihadist groups under its nuclear umbrella. Any large-scale retaliation by India runs the danger of rapid escalation, given the uncertainties around tactical nuclear weapons, as Pakistan has been often threatening so and recently, one of its Minister’s Hanif Abbasi has openly threatened India with nuclear retaliation warning that its missile arsenal, Ghori, Shaheen and Ghaznavi along with 130 nuclear warheads has been maintained ‘ only for India.’ The purpose of such threat is to raise the stake, creating fear of uncontrollable escalation, thereby constraining India’s conventional military options and maintaining strategic instability in the region.

Geo-strategic positions China’s presence in Gilgit-Baltistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects a strategic military dimension, where a two-front scenario looms large. Thus, India must weigh its option carefully, balancing strategic decisiveness with calibrated prudence. India, meanwhile, is emerging as a pivotal player in the Indo-Pacific framework. Its control of the Siachen Glacier and strong naval presence in the Indian Ocean provide it significant leverage. However, India’s exposed northern borders, especially after the Ladakh standoff with China, mean it must prepare for the possibility of a two-front war, which is a serious operational challenge. Counter measures India must counter and response by a comprehensive security measures.

Surgical strikes and limited cross-border operations are insufficient. There needs to be a sustained offensive targeting the entire ecosystem of terror support, financial networks, logistical hubs, propaganda platforms, political handlers and OGWs. Second, India must redouble diplomatic warfare, mobilizing global opinion to isolate Pakistan economically and politically. The following steps taken are in the right direction to cripple Pakistan economically and internationally: Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), downgrading diplomatic relations, revocation of visas and deportation orders, military mobilization and border security enhancement, intensified security operations in Southern Kashmir - Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian etc. Third, India must prepare for kinetic response.

Modernizing the armed forces, fast-tracking border infrastructure, and developing credible conventional deterrence capabilities are critical. Simultaneously, India must develop flexible war strategy as a punitive response without escalating to full-scale war. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats India holds clear conventional military superiority over Pakistan, has greater manpower, technological edge, and a diversified economy.

 Its strong global influence and strong ties with the US, France, Australia, and key Middle Eastern nations particularly with Saudi Arabia, further enhance its leverage. In addition, the recent Rafale -M deal with France is much advantageous to strengthen its operational capabilities. However, internal challenges such as political fragmentation, human rights scrutiny, slow military modernization, and infrastructure gaps remain challenges.

Pakistan, on the other hand, faces severe vulnerabilities like economic fragility, political instability, and internal insurgencies and over-reliance on China. Must dismantle covert warmongerings While India is well-positioned being strategic dominant militarily, economically, and geopolitically, it must, through a measured and time-bound tactical operation, dismantle terror havens and establish a firm deterrent, conveying to Pakistan the futility of supporting cross-border aggression.

 As Winston Churchill once said, “War is a struggle against a monstrous tyranny, to be waged by sea, land and air with all might…” In this context, India must stand firm and decisively confront the threat posed by Pakistan, just as it has done in the past in four wars (1947-48, 1965, 1971 & 1999) to protect the sovereignty and ensure lasting peace in the region.

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The views expressed in the Article above are VIJAY HASHIA views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."

Courtesy: VIJAY HASHIA and  Spade A Spade-May 2025