Paper: GS – III, Subject: Internal Security, Topic: Terrorism & extremism, Issue: India’s counter-terrorism discourse.
Context:
Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike and India’s robust military response under Operation Sindoor, there is a need to critically evaluate whether tactical actions alone can address long-term terrorist threats—especially in Jammu and Kashmir, where internal dynamics are often overshadowed by Pakistan-centric narratives.
Key Highlights:
- Operation Sindoor involved high-impact kinetic operations, neutralising several threats.
- However, localised terrorist participation remains low, with foreign terrorist networks increasingly exploiting grievances, identity issues, and social alienation.
- Bipartisan local outrage post-Pahalgam reflects a strategic moment that needs long-term political consolidation.
Critical Reflections:
- Focus Misplaced on Pakistan Alone: Over-reliance on external blame can numb policymakers to internal causes—identity, marginalisation, and governance failures.
- Limits of Deterrence: Past kinetic successes—Uri, Balakot—have not durably deterred Pakistani support to terror.
- Security Grid + Outreach: The key is India’s multi-pronged approach—security plus development and community trust-building.
- Oversecuritisation Caveat: Relying solely on military logic risks alienating local populations and ignoring internal reforms.
Implications for India’s Counter-Terror Strategy:
| Dimension | Implication |
| National Security Policy | Tactical wins must be embedded in broader strategic narratives focused on hearts and minds. |
| J&K Governance | Greater emphasis needed on political outreach, youth integration, and inclusive development. |
| Military Doctrine | Integrate non-kinetic tools such as deradicalisation, information warfare, and psychological ops. |
| Foreign Policy Balance | Don’t neglect internal dynamics while projecting Pakistan as the sole driver of terrorism. |
Conclusion:
Operation Sindoor has reaffirmed India’s kinetic readiness, but defeating terrorism demands more than tactical supremacy. It calls for strategic patience, internal reform, and civil-military synergy. Winning Kashmir, not just countering Pakistan, must guide India’s counter-terrorism roadmap—a shift from retribution to resolution.
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