The tranquil valley of Pahalgam, known for its scenic beauty and spiritual significance, was jolted recently by a heinous act of terrorism that claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, most of them Hindus. Claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)—groups with deep-rooted ties to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its Army—this attack is more than just another tragic footnote in Kashmir’s troubled history. It is a calculated move in Pakistan’s long-standing proxy war against India, aimed at fomenting unrest, stalling peace, and projecting a false narrative of indigenous resistance.

Despite Islamabad’s predictable denials, the Pakistani hand in this attack is hard to ignore. The TRF, a rebranded militant front, was created to give plausible deniability to the involvement of Pakistan-based groups in Kashmir to avoid the ire of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). But make no mistake—this organisation continues to operate with logistical, financial, and strategic support from Pakistan ISI and its radicalised Army.

Just days before the attack, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir delivered a provocative speech, emphasising the so-called Hindu-Muslim divide and reiterated Pakistan’s “moral obligation" to Kashmir. Such rhetoric, when seen in tandem with the Pahalgam dastardly massacre, suggests not just ideological motivation but a broader tactical playbook aimed at destabilising India’s internal harmony and international standing. It is also an attack on the livelihood, peace and prosperity of the people of Kashmir.

Additionally, Pakistan’s internal dynamics add further motive. The restive provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are seeing rising dissent, while discontent is also brewing in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where residents increasingly compare their stunted progress with India’s developmental strides in Jammu and Kashmir. A high-profile terror strike serves Pakistan’s dual purpose of distracting domestic attention and undermining India’s efforts at normalcy and development in the region.

The timing of the attack raises eyebrows. It coincided with the visit of the US Vice President, JD Vance, to India—part of a broader diplomatic outreach by New Delhi. Historically,........

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