The Jihadist DNA of Pakistan
Pahalgam presents a significant moment to challenge the entrenched jihadi ideology in Pakistan. Islamism can be defeated if approached with the same resolve that was used to vanquish Nazism. Given that Islamabad is often regarded as a primary source of global jihad, it becomes a critical starting point for this battle.
The Pahalgam Attack: A Grim Reflection
The terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 individuals, predominantly Hindus. The horrific nature of the attack—where perpetrators checked identity cards and demanded Islamic recitations—echoes the brutality seen in the October 7 incident in Israel. While the scale of the Israeli attacks was greater, both incidents share a disturbing commonality: the attackers' pride in their actions and a complete absence of remorse, dehumanizing their victims in the process.
The Dehumanization of the Other
The individuals involved in such acts of violence are often not the stereotypical sociopaths; they can be ordinary people leading mundane lives. However, their duality emerges in times of terror, revealing a disconcerting two-facedness that society has overlooked. This nature of Islamism makes it particularly perilous, as its practitioners believe wholeheartedly in the righteousness of their actions. This ideological conviction is further fueled by a dominant Left-liberal narrative that offers intellectual cover for jihadist violence.
A Strategic Approach to Combat Islamism
To effectively combat Islamism, a strategy akin to that used against Nazism is essential. While Islamism operates on multiple fronts, lacking a defined border, Pakistan serves as a pivotal battleground. The events in Pahalgam thus represent a unique opportunity for India and the West to collaborate in reshaping the jihadi landscape of Pakistan.
The Nature of Pakistan's Proxy Warfare
The Pahalgam Attack: A Symptom of Strategic Pathology
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which targeted primarily Hindu civilians, is indicative of a broader strategic pathology. The sophistication of the attackers—equipped with advanced weaponry and military intelligence—hints at state involvement rather than isolated extremism. Investigations traced their origins to state-supported infrastructures in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, raising pressing questions about the Pakistani state’s intentions.
The Blurring of State and Non-State Actors
The events surrounding the Pahalgam attack illustrate the strategic manipulation inherent in Pakistan's approach to terrorism. Forensic evidence suggested connections to state-backed networks, complicating the narrative of independent extremist action. The involvement of trained operatives from Pakistan's paramilitary forces underscores a troubling trend of using terrorism as a state instrument.
The Price of Diplomatic Paralysis
Complicity in the War on Terror
U.S. Congressional reports have highlighted Pakistan’s dual role in the global war on terror. Despite receiving substantial military aid, significant resources have been redirected towards anti-India military capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that the ISI maintains relationships with groups like the Haqqani network, facilitating their operations within protected zones.
Strategic Authorship of Terrorism
This complicity must be viewed not as negligence but as a strategic choice, where the Pakistani state actively utilizes terrorism as a tool of policy. Michael Doyle’s concept of illiberal peace illustrates how authoritarian regimes can appear cooperative while undermining international norms. Thus, Pakistan's duality complicates its relationships with Western allies.
The Consequences of International Leniency
The moral hazard created by continued international funding has entrenched Pakistan’s duality. Global powers have historically engaged with Islamabad for geopolitical advantages, often at the cost of meaningful reform. Recent admissions by Pakistani officials regarding state support for terror groups reflect a broader acknowledgment of this reality, yet tangible actions to dismantle these networks remain absent.
A Global Threat
The Extending Reach of Terrorism
The implications of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism extend far beyond South Asia, with evidence of networks reaching Europe and North America. The globalization of jihadist ideology, fostered in Pakistani madrassas, poses a transnational threat that demands a coordinated response.
The Need for Structural Change
To effectively counter this challenge, the international community must move beyond tactical responses. A comprehensive approach involving targeted sanctions, conditioned aid, and diplomatic isolation is essential. Structural disincentives must be implemented to discourage state support for terrorism.
Reimagining Counterterrorism
The Pahalgam attack is not merely a local tragedy; it is a signal of the resilience of proxy violence in modern geopolitics. Addressing this issue requires a shift in counterterrorism strategies—from targeting individuals to confronting institutional complicity and ideological indoctrination. Without such an approach, terrorism will continue to be a calculated instrument of state power
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