The dastardly act of terrorism on April 22, 2025 by Pakistan sponsored militant organisation, TRF (The Resistance Front) in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Kashmir, speaks volumes about their real motive. It was not only US Vice President’s visit that has led Pakistan to carry out this terrorist attack but it has more compelling reasons to carry out such an attack. No, it was not even to derail Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Saudi Arabia from April 22-23, 2025. These visits might be incidental to draw international attention on Kashmir, but attack in the real sense only exposes the ghastly nature of Islamic terrorism.
The brutality of the attack by singling out Hindus, had a deeper motive for General Hafiz Asim Munir, Chief of Pakistan Army. It was to revitalise the dwindling national unity of Pakistan – which stands fractured into Baloch, Sindhi, Pakhtoon and Punjabi nationalities. To undo it, Pakistan army needs to create a ‘cruel enemy’ to unite its people with a sentiment rousing cause and an anti-Hindu sentiment does wonders for them.
However, Indian intel agencies should have picked-up the threads from General Munir’s address to non-resident Pakistanis, the other day. He was spitting fire against Hindus and Kashmir – reminding them of the Two Nation Theory and begging them to tell this story to their children. This was an immediate indication of his intentions, Pahalgam carnage lay very much hidden in this. Additionally, it was a failure of Indian intel agencies to sense the threat!
What was Pakistan Army and its Chief’s compulsion? Let us analyse its geopolitical dimensions. On the East, it has tense relations with India. But Pakistan’s Western borders are in flames due to Baloch and Pakhtoon insurgency. Afghanistan does not recognise Durand Line. Baloch insurgents claim to have carried out over 250 attacks on Pakistan Army, this year alone. Bus Massacre at Noushki on March 16, 2025, and hijacking of Jaffar Express train carrying Pakistani soldiers a week earlier speak volumes on the ineffectiveness of the Pakistan’s Army. In fact, some days before hijacking of the Jaffar Express, a political leader of Pakistan, Fazlur Rehman had lamented in the National Assembly that Pakistan had lost control of Balochistan and it could any day break away from Pakistan. It exposed Pakistan Army’s impotence.
The brutality of the Pahalgam attack by singling out Hindus, had a deeper motive for General Hafiz Asim Munir, Chief of Pakistan Army. It was to revitalise the dwindling national unity of Pakistan – which stands fractured into Baloch, Sindhi, Pakhtoon and Punjabi nationalities. To undo it, Pakistan army needs to create a ‘cruel enemy’ to unite its people with a sentiment rousing cause and an anti-Hindu sentiment does wonders for them
Thus, there were clear signals that Pak army was unable to tackle insurgency in KPK (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa) and Balochistan. Therefore, General Munir had to divert attention of the public from his army’s professional incompetence. The only option available was to provoke India by carrying out a major operation through terrorist elements controlled by it. It demanded a Pulwama kind of attack, which would invite violent retributory Indian reaction. Nothing could have been more ghastly than brutal massacre of civilians. And this ghastly action, he hoped awaken Islamic sentiments of his people and they would forget regional insurgencies. It is his way of silencing or buying peace with Baloch, Pakhtoon and Sindhi separatists by arousing their anti-Hindu sentiments. There is a difference between being anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments – the latter energises Pakistani hatred more because this is what their education system has taught generations of Pakistanis since 1947.
Besides political instability of Pakistan, its economic situation is on the verge of collapse. Pakistan’s prime minister has been going around the world with a begging bowl. China, UAE, and Saudi Arabia or “Muslim Ummah” are not coming to its rescue. General Hafiz Asim Munir thinks or hopes that a military conflict with India, would arouse the religious sentiments amongst some of the 57 countries. His hope is that Islamic world would open its treasury to Pakistan, in the name of religion. Maybe China, a friend deeper than ocean and higher than Himalayas, could also have mercy on Pakistan.
In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, such a hope from “Muslim Ummah” was a far-fetched reasoning but Pakistani Generals have their brains in their knees. As far as China was concerned, its relationship has always been transactional – you give “big” and take “something valuable”. Pakistan has nothing big to give. China’s much hyped, proposed CPEC investment in Pakistan was more beneficial to China rather than Pakistan. The project currently is in a limbo.
What should India do to teach Pakistan a lesson? India must realise, once for all, that as long as Army controls Pakistan, there would be no lasting peace. It can only come by dismantling Pakistan. To do so, India must undertake both Kinetic and non-Kinetic measures. Focus should be on General Asim Munir and his army. Do not waste time on nitwits like the cadres of LeT, TRF, JeM, HM or any other such organisations. They will disappear the moment, Hafiz Asim Munir is cut to size.
Kinetic means would involve immediate restart of exchange of fire along the Line of Control (LoC) and an ad hoc boundary. Intensity should be so high that Pakistan is forced to pull back forces from Afghanistan’s border. Its eastern border areas should be turned to hell, as it continues to be a real threat in being suitable for cross-border terrorist operations. Punch holes at multiple points. Once Pakistan pulls out troops from the Afghanistan Border, encourage TTP (Tehrik-e Taliban of Pakistan) and Baloch insurgents (BLA) to spur their insurgents’ activities. Covert targeted operations, against terror groups should be re-commenced.
What should India do to teach Pakistan a lesson? India must realise, once for all, that as long as Army controls Pakistan, there would be no lasting peace. It can only come by dismantling Pakistan. To do so, India must undertake both Kinetic and non-Kinetic measures. Do not waste time on nitwits like the cadres of LeT, TRF, JeM, HM or any other such organisations. They will disappear the moment, Hafiz Asim Munir is cut to size
Carry out all active operations on the LoC in the Neelam valley. Cut off LNVR (Lower Neelam Valley Roads) and UNVR (Upper Neelam Valley Roads). These two roads are life line of the Pakistan Army in PoK and Gilgit – Baltistan (GB). Make offensive moves towards Skardu in Gilgit – Baltistan. It is therefore, desirable that Indian intel agencies should be bolstered to undertake covert operations both within own country and Pakistan. Potential collaborators of Pakistan should be identified and neutralised.
Enemy within must also be dealt with a death-blow as a priority. Pahalgam incident seems to be an extension of what had happened in Murshidabad two weeks back. Undoubtedly, there are Indian collaborators in these terrorist acts. Not necessarily, they are Muslims. There are greedy Hindus too. Greed is not only for money but some other short-term gains, too.
Unsavvy Indian politicians, too, unwittingly help these internal collaborators. Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi claims that killing of 28 tourists is because of Hindutva policies of the Indian Government. These are the kind of people who practice politics at the cost of national security, honour, and respect. Their hatred transcends even national interests. His brother-in-law Rahul Gandhi is spewing venom against India in USA these days.
Enemy within must also be dealt with a death-blow as a priority. Pahalgam incident seems to be an extension of what had happened in Murshidabad two weeks back. Undoubtedly, there are Indian collaborators in these terrorist acts. Not necessarily, they are Muslims. There are greedy Hindus too. Greed is not only for money but some other short-term gains, too
As per the video issued by the terrorist organisation TRF, it is asserted that Hindus were killed to send the message that in a Muslim majority area – gestures of Hinduism, such as “Jai Shree Ram” must be stopped. The idea was to deliberately provoke Hindu – Muslim riots in India. But some worthy Indian political leaders, in opposition, added fuel to fire by making irresponsible statements. Question is, whether Hindus should do the vice versa in India, too?
As for as non-Kinetic measures are concerned, first thing is to do away with Indus-Water Treaty of September 19, 1960. Starve Pakistan of water. The treaty gives control over the waters of the three “Eastern Rivers” – the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej located in India, while control over the waters of the three “Western Rivers” – the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum located both in India and Pakistan. Surprisingly, India gets only about 30% of the total water carried by the Indus Rivers System located in India while Pakistan gets the remaining 70%. The treaty needs to be scrapped.
Then, recognise Taliban regime of Afghanistan and establish diplomatic relations with them. Use Afghanistan as a second military front against Pakistan. Further, provide sanctuary to Baloch leaders and give them all military and financial support. Let them open an office in New Delhi.
There is a need to cut off all kind of indirect trade with Pakistan through Dubai. Indian medicines and food products such as tomatoes, onions and other vegetables exported through Dubai route, should be stopped. Also, it is not a bad idea to help PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaaf) and Imran Khan to bring down the army.
It is time to bring Pakistan Army on its knees. And both Kinetic and non-Kinetic means ought to be used to dismantle it. Without Army getting dismantled, Pakistan’s public will not be able to have peace with India
It is time to bring Pakistan Army on its knees. And both Kinetic and non-Kinetic means ought to be used to dismantle it. Without Army getting dismantled, Pakistan’s public will not be able to have peace with India. It has been controlling Pakistan ever since its creation. Hassan Haqqani, a former Pakistani Ambassador to USA, has amply clarified as to how strong was Pakistan Army’s grasp on Pakistan. According to him, Pakistan Army got 33% assets of British Indian Army for its 19% geography and 17% population. It has a massive hold over Pakistan and just a spark is needed within Pakistan to punch a hole on this control. Limited intervention in Pakistan politics through PTI would help. Also, if Balochistan and KPK breaks away, Pakistan’s back will be broken. Time to do so effectively.
-An ex-NDA and Wellington Staff College graduate, Col Rajinder Singh is a renowned author and security analyst. He has authored four books, two individually and two in collaboration. His best-selling books are Kashmir – A Different Perspective and The ULFA Insurgency. The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
