Why India believes Pahalgam terror attack was sanctioned by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir

Summary

The video discusses the aftermath of the Pelgam terror attack in Kashmir, shedding light on Pakistan's evolving Kashmir policy under General Munir. The attack, which targeted Hindu tourists, is viewed as a strategic move by Pakistan’s military to provoke unrest and revive militancy in the region. The shift in Pakistan's strategy, driven by internal pressures and the decline of local Kashmiri recruitment by terror outfits, is designed to disrupt Kashmir’s growing economy and reassert Pakistan’s stake in the region. This attack is framed as part of a broader plan to reignite conflict and garner international sympathy for Pakistan's cause.

Takeaways

• 😀 The TRF (The Resistance Front) initially claimed responsibility for the Pelgam terror attack but later denied it, blaming the claim on a social media hack.
• 😀 India believes that the attack was sanctioned by Pakistan's military, particularly the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, to draw attention to Kashmir and reassert Pakistan's stake in the region.
• 😀 The Pelgam attack targeted Hindu tourists and violated an unwritten rule, as such attacks typically avoid targeting tourists who are crucial to Kashmir's economy.
• 😀 The attack led to widespread protests and a rare shutdown in Kashmir, with people from various sectors including business owners, taxi drivers, and government officials participating.
• 😀 The shift in Pakistan’s Kashmir policy is linked to the rise of General Aim Munir, who is seen as a more aggressive Islamist compared to his predecessor, General Bajwa.
• 😀 General Munir’s stance is believed to be influenced by his dissatisfaction with Bajwa's softer approach towards India, which he saw as a failure.
• 😀 The Pelgam attack may have been intended as retaliation for Pakistan's internal issues, including the growing insurgency in Baluchistan and the humiliation caused by the Zafar Express attack.
• 😀 Pakistan's Kashmir Solidarity Day in February 2025 featured Hamas and Hezbollah representatives, marking a shift towards a broader pan-Islamist campaign for Kashmir.
• 😀 Munir is believed to be seeking to reignite the Kashmir conflict as a way to unite Pakistan’s fractured state and bring the Kashmir issue back into international discussions.
• 😀 The Kashmir economy has been growing, with more tourists visiting and Kashmiris integrating into the rest of India, which has led to a drastic decline in local recruitment for terror groups in Kashmir.
• 😀 The Pelgam attack was likely meant to provoke a backlash, disrupt the growing tourism sector, and rekindle terrorist recruitment by deepening the communal divide and portraying Kashmir as an uprising led by locals.

Q & A

What was the initial claim made by the TRF regarding the Pelgam terror attack?

The TRF initially claimed responsibility for the Pelgam terror attack. However, later they retracted this claim, stating that their social media accounts had been hacked.

What is the Indian government's stance on the Pelgam terror attack?

The Indian government firmly believes that the Pelgam terror attack was sanctioned by Pakistan's military establishment, particularly the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

How did the Pelgam terror attack differ from previous terrorist activities in Kashmir?

The Pelgam attack targeted Hindu tourists, which violated an unwritten rule in Kashmir where tourists were generally spared to avoid alienating the local population. This marked a shift in terrorist strategy.

Why did the Kashmiri locals protest after the Pelgam attack?

Kashmir witnessed a rare total shutdown, with locals, including shopkeepers, businessmen, and government officials, protesting against the terror attack. This reaction indicates widespread anger and disappointment within the Kashmiri population.

Who is General Aim Munir, and how has he influenced Pakistan's approach to Kashmir?

General Aim Munir is the Chief of the Pakistan Army. He has been a staunch Islamist and is critical of the softer approach to India under his predecessor, General Bajwa. Munir believes in reigniting the Kashmir conflict to unite Pakistan and reassert its position in Kashmir internationally.

What role did the insurgency in Balochistan play in the Pelgam attack?

The insurgency in Balochistan, which has been a source of embarrassment for the Pakistan Army, is believed to have influenced General Munir's decision to escalate tensions in Kashmir as a means of deflecting attention and unifying the Pakistani populace.

What does General Munir aim to achieve by reigniting the Kashmir conflict?

General Munir aims to bring international attention back to Kashmir, unite a fractured Pakistan, and portray the Kashmir issue as an ongoing freedom struggle led by Kashmiris, despite the lack of local involvement in militancy.

What has been the impact of the Pelgam attack on Kashmir's economy and tourism?

The Pelgam attack has led to a decline in tourism, with many tourists leaving Kashmir and canceling travel plans. This could disrupt Kashmir's growing economy, which had been benefiting from tourism and normalcy over recent years.

How has local recruitment for terrorism in Kashmir changed in recent years?

Local recruitment for terrorism in Kashmir has drastically fallen, with a minimal number of Kashmiris joining militant groups. Most active terrorists are now Pakistani nationals, particularly in regions like Pulwama.

What is Pakistan's strategy in targeting Hindu tourists in the Pelgam attack?

By targeting Hindu tourists, Pakistan's strategy was to deepen the communal divide and provoke a heavy-handed response from Indian security forces, which could fuel resentment and further alienate the local population.