Terrorism in India: The Hidden Hands, Local Ties, and the Cost of Silence

A Brief History of Terrorism in India

India’s struggle with terrorism dates back to the 1980s:

• Khalistani movement in Punjab.
• Insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Northeast insurgency involving groups like ULFA and NSCN.
• Urban terror attacks, including the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the 2008 26/11 attacks.

Each phase had different motivations, ranging from separatist ideologies to religious extremism and foreign interference.

Major Terrorist Attacks in India

🕵️‍♂️ Terror Groups and Their Backers

While various terrorist organizations take credit for these attacks, the true masterminds behind the operations are the military and intelligence arms of Pakistan, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). These groups act as proxy arms for the Pakistan Army, and their operations are planned, funded, and supported by military structures.

The major terrorist outfits include:

• Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT): Known for the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
• Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM): Responsible for the 2016 Uri attack and 2019 Pulwama bombing.
• Hizbul Mujahideen: Operating primarily in Jammu and Kashmir, targeting Indian security forces.
• Indian Mujahideen: Active in urban areas, responsible for bombings in Delhi and Ahmedabad.
• ISIS-Affiliates: Operating in South Asia with support from radical elements within Pakistan.

Most of these are known to be funded, trained, and sheltered in Pakistan, specifically under the radar (and often protection) of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and elements of its army.

Many attacks — from the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, to the more recent Pulwama (2019) and Anantnag ambush (2024) — were executed by militants trained in Pakistan and sent across the Line of Control.

📉 Recent Attacks: A Disturbing Pattern

India has witnessed an increase in targeted attacks on:

• Hindu pilgrims in Jammu
• Kashmiri Pandits
• Indian Armed Forces convoys

One thing in common? The attackers are almost always radicalized Muslims, manipulated into violence by false promises of martyrdom or revenge for imaginary oppression.

In April 2025, security forces foiled a major infiltration attempt in Poonch. The terrorists were heavily armed, and two were identified as members of Jaish-e-Mohammed.

🧩 The Pakistan Army & ISI Nexus

The Pakistan Army, via ISI, plays a double game — acting against extremism on the global stage while secretly supporting and training terrorists to carry out attacks in India. The US and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have repeatedly put Pakistan on the grey list for terrorist financing.

Many training camps are located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where recruits undergo arms training, religious indoctrination, and are launched into Indian territory for "jihad."

🌍 Why Is Islam Always in the Picture?

It’s crucial to distinguish between a religion and its misuse.

Islam, like any religion, preaches peace. But terrorists distort Islamic teachings to justify violence, attract vulnerable minds, and gain international sympathy. These groups often prey on poor, uneducated, or emotionally vulnerable youth, promising them heaven for committing brutal acts.

Unfortunately, this has led to a global misconception: associating Islam with terrorism — a belief that must be corrected by Muslim leaders worldwide through open rejection of extremism.

🔎 Global Silence or Selective Blindness?

Despite clear evidence, the global community — including the UN, USA, and EU — often hesitates to confront Pakistan aggressively, fearing geopolitical complications. India continues to demand global accountability and stricter action against countries that serve as terror sanctuaries.

⚔️ Recent Attack in Pahalgam (2025): A Chilling Reminder

On April 22, 2025, the serene town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir was shattered by a brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 28 individuals, including 24 Indian tourists, two locals, and two foreign nationals from Nepal and the UAE. This incident stands as the deadliest terrorist attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The Attack: A Day of Horror

The terrorists ambushed a convoy of tourists and security personnel, opening fire indiscriminately. Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos:

“We thought it was army training, but within seconds, bullets were flying over our heads. I saw two men with AK-47s shouting in Urdu and Arabic,” — Zahoor Ahmad, a local taxi driver.

The attackers were heavily armed and wore military fatigues, blending seamlessly into the surroundings to maximize the impact of their assault.

The Perpetrators: The Resistance Front (TRF)

The Resistance Front (TRF), a group established in 2019 and widely regarded as an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. TRF has been involved in various activities, including planning attacks against civilians and security forces, facilitating militant recruitment, and coordinating weapon and drug smuggling across borders.

The Masterminds: Pakistan's Role

While TRF executed the attack, the true masterminds are believed to be elements within the Pakistan Army and its intelligence agency, the ISI. These entities have a history of supporting and facilitating terrorist groups operating in Kashmir. TRF's operations are considered to be sanctioned by LeT, indicating a deep-rooted nexus between these groups and Pakistan's military establishment.

The Aftermath: National and International Reactions

The attack elicited strong reactions both within India and internationally:

• India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, emphasizing the nation's resolve to combat terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh labeled it an "act of cowardice." Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, expressed their shock and called for stringent actions against the perpetrators.
• International: World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and French President Emmanuel Macron, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.

🔥 Terrorism, Religion & Misuse of Faith

This attack, like many before it, was motivated by twisted interpretations of religion. Terrorist recruiters continue to exploit Islam to justify violence, spread hatred, and provoke international sympathy for their cause.

It's important to stress:

“Terrorism has no religion, but the terrorists who attacked Pahalgam had one — and they used it to justify murder.”

Pakistan's refusal to act against these groups continues to enable such crimes. When a religion is constantly used as a weapon, and the international community remains passive, innocent lives are lost — again and again.

🏔️ Local Involvement in Terrorism: The Kashmir Conundrum

One of the most disturbing aspects of terrorism in Kashmir is the increasing involvement of local Kashmiris, particularly young radicalized Muslim men. These individuals are often either recruited by Pakistan-based terror groups or self-radicalized through online jihadist propaganda.

From the Pulwama suicide bomber (Adil Ahmad Dar, a local Kashmiri) to the Pahalgam attackers, nearly every recent terrorist attack in Kashmir has involved locals — born, raised, and brainwashed within the Valley.

“We have evidence that local youth are not only helping infiltrators but actively participating in attacks on Indian security forces and civilians.”
— Official statement from Indian Army, February 2025

🧨 Pattern of Radical Involvement: Kashmiri Muslims in Every Attack

Let’s be clear: Not all Muslims are terrorists, but in the case of terror attacks in Kashmir, nearly every single attacker has been a radicalized Muslim — either a local youth or a trained infiltrator backed by Pakistani handlers.

Whether it was:

• Adil Dar (Pulwama 2019)
• The Hizbul commander Burhan Wani (killed in 2016)
• The Pahalgam attackers (2025)
• Or local support to infiltrators in Uri, Anantnag, and Kupwara

The perpetrators were all Kashmiri Muslim men, many of whom were glorified as “freedom fighters” by a certain section of the population — a dangerous narrative that fosters more hate and bloodshed.

⚠️ Conclusion: What Lies Ahead?

Terrorism in India is no longer just a border problem — it’s internal, ideological, and religiously misused. With Pakistan continuing to fuel violence and Kashmiri Muslim youth participating in radical agendas, the time for silence is over.

India must act decisively, and the world must stop treating this as a regional issue. It’s a global threat wearing a local face.