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The Hindu | English | News | May 9, 2025 | Terrorism

The Soviet-Afghan War of 1979 marked a pivotal moment for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which, with U.S. support, developed a jihadi infrastructure leading to a complex network of terrorism. This network comprises diverse objectives, including aggression towards India, control in Afghanistan, and sectarian violence. Recent data indicates a resurgence of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, with a focus on notable militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). An analysis of these entities reveals a sophisticated operational capacity sustained by various funding sources, including ISI support, foreign donations, and organized crime.

Lashkar-e-Taiba emerged in the 1990s as a primary proxy against India, under the leadership of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. Despite international sanctions, the group operates through a rigid command structure and possesses extensive infrastructure, including training camps across Pakistan and coordinated operations targeted at India. It has been implicated in significant attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Similarly, Jaish-e-Mohammed, founded by Masood Azhar, specializes in suicide terrorism and has conducted several prominent assaults, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing. JeM, like LeT, maintains a range of organizational branches to support its operations and has established financial networks through various fronts and enterprises.

Pakistani terror networks also encompass the Haqqani Network, which operates as an ISI proxy along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), which, despite ideological opposition, receives tacit support from certain Pakistani security elements. The operationalization of terrorism as state policy by the ISI is documented through strategic funding, operational support from ex-military personnel, and provision of material assistance, illustrating a complex relationship with terrorist organizations. Despite recognizing the grave consequences of these policies, including over 45,000 deaths since 1990, Pakistan continues to navigate international pressure while maintaining a dual strategy towards these groups.

Funding for this terror apparatus is facilitated through intricate systems aimed at maintaining plausible deniability, including religious charities and state allocations. The recruitment of vulnerable youth, especially through madrassas linked to extremist ideologies, perpetuates a cycle of radicalization. The adaptability of Pakistan's terror infrastructure allows it to evolve, with recent developments including enhanced ties with the Taliban and a resurgence in operational capabilities post-2021.

The April 2025 attack in Pahalgam, linked to LeT operatives, exemplifies the ongoing threat posed by Pakistan's enduring terror ecosystem to regional stability, particularly for India. This issue extends beyond bilateral concerns, representing a broader international challenge that necessitates sustained global efforts to dismantle the networks supporting terrorism in Pakistan.