Opinion | Europe To Africa, Why Pakistan's Terror Exports Aren't India's Problem Alone
Instead of trying to throttle back on terrorism post-Operation Sindoor, the Pakistanis, in their victory mindset, have empowered them even more.
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- From: India News Bull
The evidence has become undeniable. Terrorist organizations aren't merely backed by Pakistani authorities—they receive open endorsement and publicly associate with high-ranking military and police officials. While India's diplomatic corps works diligently to convey this message globally, it's crucial to emphasize that this extends far beyond bilateral India-Pakistan relations.
Pakistani-linked terrorist elements have been fueling extremism across multiple continents—from Africa and Europe to the United States. Therefore, our diplomatic missions should address not only Operation Sindoor but also highlight the dangerous activities of these terrorist factions worldwide.
Celebrating With Lashkar LeadershipRecently, an incriminating video emerged showing a Pakistani politician claiming that notorious designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed was his "second team" and essentially a brother. Present in the footage were Saeed's son Talha, also a designated terrorist, and Saifullah Kasuri, known by several aliases. Just days earlier, after denying involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Kasuri was recorded addressing crowds with threatening rhetoric against India.
Additionally, numerous other senior Lashkar leaders—previously careful to remain out of public view—were openly inciting crowds toward jihad at various gatherings. This pattern clearly indicates military complicity in empowering terrorists as an act of defiance.
Furthermore, Pakistani politicians rely on these extremist elements to secure electoral victory. Prominent figures close to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, including food minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, attended the aforementioned rally. Malik Ahmed Khan, from an established political family elected from Kasur—a hub of blasphemy fabrications and jihadist recruitment—audaciously demanded India provide evidence of Saifullah's involvement in terrorist activities. This request is preposterous given that his own police chief could provide comprehensive documentation, not to mention that Saifullah's history is thoroughly documented by both US intelligence and Indian authorities.
Nigerian ConnectionConcurrently, Nigerian military forces recently apprehended four Pakistani nationals allegedly training members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). While Boko Haram once pledged allegiance to ISIS before separating, both groups continue their violent campaigns. Boko Haram gained international notoriety in 2014 after kidnapping over 200 schoolchildren, predominantly girls, from Nigeria's Chibok town. ISWAP, a Salafist organization, is notorious for indiscriminate executions of non-believers. Nigeria now seeks intelligence cooperation—a request Delhi should promptly accommodate.
European Security ConcernsJust months ago, Spanish authorities concluded a three-year operation resulting in over 30 Pakistani arrests, followed by 11 more in Barcelona. The investigation targeted multiple cells, including women, involved in youth radicalization through encrypted communications within a rigid hierarchical structure. This wasn't merely a loose association but a sophisticated organization with specific objectives. Though reports connected them to the "Pakistani Taliban," this designation now encompasses various criminal and jihadist entities.
Last year, the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation reported that authorities in Romania, Italy, and Austria dismantled a criminal network exploiting work visas to smuggle over 500 Pakistani, Bengali, and Egyptian migrants into EU member states, identifying 12 suspects. A Joint Working Group was established to investigate this pan-European network. Additionally, in the United States, Pakistani-Canadian citizen Shahzab Jadoon was arrested for allegedly planning mass violence against Jews in New York City, while in Paris, a Pakistani national received a 30-year sentence for attacking a newspaper office.
In February, Indonesian authorities detained three Pakistanis attempting entry with counterfeit French passports. The country has experienced multiple instances of illegal Pakistani entries, including an INTERPOL-wanted individual. Unsurprisingly, Indonesia has firmly supported India following the Pahalgam incident.
Persistent Terrorism ChallengesMoreover, Pakistan sponsors terrorism against Iran, prompting Tehran to eventually bomb Jaish ul Adl camps last year after repeated requests for Islamabad to address their activities.
The Afghanistan situation spans decades, beginning in the late 1970s. Now Pakistan itself claims to suffer more terrorist attacks than any other nation—a claim supported by the Global Terrorism Index, which ranks Pakistan second among 163 countries, up from fourth place last year. This is largely attributed to Tehrik-e-Taliban, comprising approximately 40 smaller groups reportedly operating along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border—areas previously serving as launching pads for Pakistani military operations in Afghanistan. When inevitable terrorist blowback began, these tribal regions faced brutal "counterterrorism" campaigns including air and artillery strikes. Balochistan experienced similar treatment.
Indian diplomacy should emphasize that Pakistan presents a global security threat, not merely an Indian concern. With Gaza and Ukraine dominating US and European attention, terrorism files must be reopened for their own security interests. Terrorists continuously learn from each other and from conventional warfare. While Ukraine's "Operation Spider" may not be fully replicated, terrorists will certainly develop simplified versions for maximum impact.
Significantly, Pakistani recruits remain readily available to various groups involved in the Gaza conflict. Combined with the sudden legitimization terrorists receive from Pakistani military and police—evidenced by a Lieutenant General, Major General, Brigadier, and Police Inspector General attending a terrorist funeral in Muridke—Pakistan has further empowered extremist elements following Operation Sindoor, rather than curtailing them.
Snake Charmer ParadoxOne hopes other nations have maintained vigilant counter-terrorism oversight. Yet ironically, Pakistan was recently appointed to chair a crucial United Nations Security Council counter-terrorism committee focusing on the Taliban. This appointment is particularly absurd considering that the Taliban have been significantly more effective at eliminating terrorists, especially Islamic State operatives—earning commendation from various UN committees—than Pakistan has ever been. After decades of tormenting Afghanistan, Pakistan now holds a position of authority.
In conclusion, the snake has been unleashed upon the charmer. Nations must prepare to fight their own battles—particularly concerning Operation Sindoor.
(Tara Kartha was with the National Security Council Secretariat)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author