It’s Time to Burn Pakistan’s Terror Playbook

KAKALI DAS

For decades, Pakistan has followed a familiar script when it comes to terrorism.

It’s a worn-out playbook that starts with creating terror groups, using them as tools of foreign policy, and ends with denial, blame-shifting, and playing the victim.

This is not a case of a few rogue elements acting on their own. It is a strategic and deliberate choice made by the Pakistani state.

Step 1: Raise, Fund, and Arm Terror Groups

Pakistan’s first step in the terror playbook is to raise, fund, and arm terrorist groups. Groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) are among the most notorious. These groups are not rogue elements operating independently; they are backed by the Pakistan army and its intelligence agency, the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). The Pakistan government may deny involvement, but its military and intelligence networks are the architects of these terror groups.

The goal is simple – use these proxy groups as tools to launch terror attacks across the border, creating instability in India and across the region. These groups are provided with weapons, training, and logistical support to carry out their missions.

Step 2: Orchestrate Terror Attacks

Once the groups are funded and equipped, Pakistan plays a pivotal role in orchestrating terror attacks. Over the years, numerous attacks on Indian soil bear the clear fingerprints of Pakistan-based groups. Whether it’s the deadly 26/11 Mumbai attack, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, or the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai, the pattern is the same.

Despite abundant evidence connecting Pakistan-based groups to these attacks, Islamabad has consistently denied its involvement. This denial is part of their playbook – deny, deflect, and refuse accountability, even when the evidence is overwhelming.

Step 3: Deny Involvement

This step is crucial in Pakistan’s strategy. Every time India suffers from a terrorist attack, Pakistan’s immediate response is to deny any involvement. Even when confronted with clear evidence and testimonies from captured terrorists, Pakistan sticks to its narrative of innocence. The 26/11 Mumbai attack is a prime example. Despite the confession of Ajmal Kasab, one of the attackers, who revealed that he was sent by Pakistan’s Lashkar-e-Taiba, Pakistan refused to take responsibility. Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the attack, continues to live freely in Pakistan, protected by the authorities.

Pakistan continues to deny the obvious links between its soil and global terrorism, playing the victim card by claiming that it suffers from terrorism as well. This is an attempt to divert attention from its role in fuelling it.

Step 4: Demand for a Neutral Investigation

When the evidence is undeniable, Pakistan often deamands for a “neutral investigation.” However, this is just another step in its playbook to stall progress. Pakistan has consistently failed to cooperate with investigations, offering little to no assistance. The 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, in which Pakistani-based terrorists infiltrated an Indian Air Force base, serves as another example. Despite India inviting Pakistani officials to investigate the attack, Pakistan failed to act in good faith. Instead of cooperating, they provided protection to the perpetrators and attempted to stall the investigation.

This tactic of demanding a neutral investigation is a well-known ploy to buy time, confuse the issue, and avoid responsibility.

Step 5: Play the Victim Card

When all else fails, Pakistan resorts to playing the victim card. It frequently claims that it suffers from terrorism, just like India. But the truth is, Pakistan’s suffering is a direct result of its own policies. For decades, Pakistan has nurtured and supported terror groups, not only as a means of destabilizing India but also as a tool for exerting influence in the region. The rise of terrorism within Pakistan can be traced back to its policies of supporting these groups for geopolitical purposes.

While Pakistan continues to shed crocodile tears, the world is beginning to see through the façade. It is no longer enough to accept Pakistan’s narrative of victimhood when it continues to be the mastermind behind global terrorism.

Pakistan’s playbook is not just a regional problem; it’s a global issue. The effects of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism extend far beyond the Indian subcontinent. Terrorist organizations based in Pakistan have carried out attacks across the globe, from the United States to Europe, and the Middle East. These terror groups are responsible for countless lives lost and untold suffering.

The international community is now beginning to wake up to the reality of Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism. No longer can it be dismissed as a “rogue element problem” – it is a strategic choice made by the Pakistani establishment. The time has come for the world to demand accountability and take concrete steps to curb Pakistan’s support for terrorism.

It’s Time to Burn the Playbook

The next time Pakistan calls for dialogue and peace, remember this playbook. Do not be swayed by its calls for talks while it continues to play the role of the victim. Instead, hold Pakistan accountable for its actions. The world needs to stop urging Pakistan to change its behavior and instead demand that it end its support for terror.

Pakistan’s terror playbook has been in use for decades, and it is time to burn it once and for all. The international community must unite and stop tolerating Pakistan’s role as a sponsor of terrorism. The consequences of inaction are too great, not just for India, but for the entire world.

Pakistan’s terror playbook has been written. It’s time to rewrite the rules, and this time, the world needs to ensure that the playbook is destroyed for good.

08-05-2025

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