(En)Countering Terrorism Post-Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor

Terrorism is now a global threat, with groups like Hamas in Palestine and Jaish-e-Muhammad in Kashmir, using violence to pursue religious or ideological goals. While some view terrorism as unrelated to any faith, its deeper motivations are often ignored. Many believe terrorists are simply poor or misled by politicians, but this overlooks the strong ideological roots. India has faced decades of terrorism, leaving parts of the country devastated. This article explores the nature and wider impact of terrorism. In my opinion, terrorism is the deliberate use or threat of violence to instill fear and achieve political, religious, or ideological goals. It is not random, but a calculated tactic aimed primarily at non-combatants to influence a broader projection. The core objective of terrorism is to create fear, often to intimidate or coerce individuals, groups, or governments into specific actions. These acts are driven by clear motivations incited by faith-driven religious fanaticism, making fear a powerful tool in advancing their agenda.

When we talk about the terrorism of faith-driven religious fanaticism, it is important to pinpoint to the most vindictive of all such groups, which, in other words, goes on to denote radical Islamic/Islamist terrorism motivated by the notion of “jihad” under which violent acts committed by extremist Islamist groups or individuals. These attacks are typically motivated by a strict interpretation of Islam and are carried out by fundamentalist militants. Islamic extremists often justify their actions for two main reasons: advancing a religious-political agenda and retaliating against perceived threats or injustices toward Islam and Muslim communities.

Islam and the Intrinsic Root of Terrorism

However, their acts of terrorism have intrinsic shelves too. For instance, the term "Munafiq" refers to a hypocrite in Islam— someone who outwardly claims to be Muslim but inwardly disbelieves or acts against true Islamic teachings. Their behavior is called "Munafiqat", and such individuals are considered fake Muslims by fundamentalists. In many Muslim societies, sectarian divisions—such as Shia, Sunni, Deobandi, and Ahmadiyya—fuel internal conflict. With at least 73 sects in Islam, each often views others as Munafiqs, believing only their interpretation is correct. This belief drives some radical groups to try to convert, suppress, or eliminate other sects to establish dominance. In regions where a single sect prevails, extremists often seek to impose the Sharia Law, based on strict interpretations of Islamic teachings and Hadith (traditions of Prophet Muhammad). Radical jihadists view this imposition as a religious duty and the only path to Jannat (heaven), punishing those who resist or fail to conform.

Islam and the Extrinsic Root of Terrorism

"Kafir" is an Arabic term meaning non-believer or infidel, used to describe those who reject Islamic beliefs. In the Qur'an, the root word Kufr signifies disbelief, ingratitude, or denial of God's message.Some radical interpretations view it as the duty of Muslims to convert or fight against Kafirs (non-believers) and Munafiqs (hypocrites) to purify the faith. According to such beliefs, only when the world fully embraces Islam will Yawm al-Qiyamah—the Day of Judgement—arrive. On that day, it is believed that Kafirs and Munafiqs will face eternal punishment in hell, while Momins—true and devout Muslims—will be rewarded with eternal paradise. Under extremist ideologies, this belief justifies ongoing Jihad until all disbelievers are either converted or defeated.

Now that we are set to understand both the intrinsic and extrinsic appeals of terrorism in Islamic teachings, let us now proceed to map out India in this spectrum.

Jihadist Threats in India: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

India has been one of the major victims of Islamic terrorism, often targeted due to religious differences. Historically, during the Mughal era, forced conversions and violence against Hindus were widespread. After India’s independence in 1947, Pakistan was created as a separate Islamic state, leading to partition based largely on religious lines. Since then, Pakistan has remained a key adversary, especially in conflicts involving terrorism and cross-border tensions.

Pakistan, founded in 1947 as an Islamic nation, has long claimed the Muslim-majority region of Jammu and Kashmir, which legally joined India through a treaty signed by its then-Hindu ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh. Strategically important, Kashmir is also water-rich, supplying vital rivers to Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces, which support most of its population and agriculture.

Pakistan attempted to capture Kashmir through invasions in 1947 and 1965 but was repelled by the Indian Army. The global Islamic resurgence in 1979—fueled by Iran's revolution and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan—turned Pakistan into a key player, heavily funded and armed by Western powers. Pakistan redirected these resources to support and train militants in Kashmir, framing the conflict as a religious war. By 1989, after Soviet withdrawal, Pakistan intensified its proxy war, turning Kashmir into a hub of terrorism.

Targeted Terror in the Valley: Before and After the 2025 Pahalgam Attack

The 2025 Pahalgam attack occurred on 22 April, when five militants targeted non-Muslim tourists near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 civilians. The attackers, armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, singled out Hindu and Christian tourists in Baisaran Valley, a popular, unprotected tourist spot. The militants asked tourists to recite the Islamic “kalma” to identify non-Muslims before shooting them, including several newlywed couples. One local Muslim pony operator was killed after trying to disarm the attackers. The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility, making this the deadliest civilian attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Previously, the rise of militancy in Kashmir had caused an exodus of Kashmiri Hindus. In 2019, India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status, allowing non-Kashmiris to settle and purchase property. This move led to the formation of The Resistance Front (TRF), a militant group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which has targeted Hindu communities. Their largest terror attacks in recent years were the 2016 Uri and 2019 Pulwama attacks, both blamed on Pakistan-based militants. In 2025, India had also secured the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Pakistan's Army chief described Kashmir as "our jugular vein", reinforcing sectarian rhetoric. The Pahalgam attack was filmed by a Hindu tourist, showing panic and injured victims. A local Muslim pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, tried to protect the tourists but was killed by the attackers.

This time too, the militants targeted Hindu tourists, separating them from Muslims and demanding they identify their religion. Some were forced to recite Islamic verses or checked for circumcision before being shot. Hindu women were spared to report the killings. Victims included newlywed Shubham Dwivedi, shot after confirming he was Hindu, and Indian Navy lieutenant Vinay Narwal, killed shortly after his wedding. A Hindu tourist’s daughter recounted her father’s killing after he failed to recite an Islamic verse.

A Shockwave Across the Nation

A joint cordon and search operation was launched by the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. A temporary lockdown was imposed in Pahalgam, and Indian Army helicopters were deployed to track down the militants, who reportedly fled to the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal range. On 24 April, an Indian soldier was killed and two other soldiers wounded during a gunfight with insurgents in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur. Authorities conducted extensive searches in Indian-administered Kashmir, detaining more than 1,500 people for questioning. They also demolished the houses of the families of at least 10 alleged militants.

The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for a recent attack, opposing Indian government policies that allow non-Kashmiris to settle in the region. On Telegram, TRF condemned the granting of domicile certificates to "outsiders", accusing them of altering Kashmir's demographics and warning of violence against such settlers. TRF has a history of targeting non-local residents. In 2020, it declared any Indian settler an RSS agent and killed a long-time Kashmiri goldsmith. It also targeted a Punjabi businessman’s son and, in October, killed seven civilians, including teachers, a pharmacist, and migrant workers.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Strategic Strike Against Terrorism

On 7 May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of 14 strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistani region of Punjab, using Rafale aircraft and SCALP missiles. The strikes focused on terrorist camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, without hitting Pakistani military facilities. India claimed the operation was "measured" and "non-escalatory." Pakistan responded with artillery fire across the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, while claiming to have shot down five Indian aircraft, including Rafales. Rumours were spread that Pakistani J-10 jets downed at least two Indian planes, including a Rafale, though India refuted these claims, stating no aircraft was lost.

On May 8th in response to Indian strikes, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on several Indian cities, including Amritsar. India’s S-400 missile system successfully intercepted the strikes, marking its first combat use. India stated it was forced to act to stop Pakistan's mortar and artillery fire. India then conducted SEAD/DEAD operations, claiming to neutralize Pakistan’s air defense in Lahore. Pakistan countered, claiming to have shot down 12 Indian drones and 25 Israeli-made Harop munitions, with one drone reportedly hitting a military facility near Lahore. Later, Pakistan launched an airstrike on Jammu, targeting the airport and university. India’s S-400 system intercepted all eight missiles, while explosions were reported in both Jammu and Jaisalmer, where drones and fighter jets were also spotted.

On May 9th, according to Pakistan, Indian missile strikes killed 31 people, including 10 relatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar, and injured 46 others. The attacks reportedly damaged a mosque in Muzaffarabad and an educational complex in Muridke. Pakistani officials also reported five deaths from Indian artillery shelling. Pakistani artillery killed 15 civilians, including 4 children, and injured 43 in Indian-administered Kashmir, mainly in Poonch district, where a Gurdwara, school, and homes were damaged. Additionally, one soldier died from shelling and a farmer was killed in Bathinda, Punjab, due to an aircraft explosion. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed at least 100 terrorists were killed in the missile strikes.

Regional Tensions and Escalation

Pakistani airspace was closed for 48 hours, causing flight cancellations and the closure of schools and colleges in the Pakistani region of Punjab. Examinations were postponed, and a blackout was reported in Muzaffarabad. In India, 25 airports in the north and west were shut, and Srinagar Airport was taken over by the Indian Air Force. Air India and other carriers halted flights, while international flights rerouted to avoid Pakistani airspace. Pakistani missile and drone strikes targeted regions in Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu, Poonch, Uri, and Baramulla, and areas in Rajasthan such as Pokhran, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Bikaner. Misinformation campaigns spread in both countries following the attacks.

Countering Terrorism After the Pahalgam Attack: A Comprehensive Strategy

The Pahalgam attack warns about future threat of terrorism in India and hence there are necessities of some comprehensive strategies to counter it. For example, the key actions can include:

1. Strengthening Security: Enhancing border surveillance, counter-infiltration efforts, and crack down on terrorist safe havens and sleeper cells.

2. Boosting Intelligence and Cybersecurity: Investing in both human and technical intelligence, and implementing systems to monitor and block extremist content online.

3. Diplomatic Pressure: Increasing global diplomatic efforts to expose Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism, and push for international sanctions against terror-supporting states.

4. Legal and Policy Reforms: Establishing fast-track courts for terrorism cases, strengthening anti-terror laws, and providing law enforcement agencies with more autonomy to act swiftly.

5. Counter-Radicalization and Community Engagement: To combat terrorism in the long-term, we must also address the ideological roots of radicalization. Public campaigns should highlight the brutality of terror groups, while de-radicalization programs targeting at-risk youth should be promoted. Collaboration with religious leaders and educators is essential to counter extremist ideologies of Islam at the grassroots level. By taking these steps seriously, India can turn the Pahalgam tragedy into a turning point in its fight against terrorism.

Hence, it can be estimated that by taking these aforementioned measures with seriousness and urgency, India can turn the tragedy of Pahalgam into a turning point in its fight against terrorism.

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