Who Was Really Guilty for Kashmir Attacks?

 


Introduction: The Roots of the Kashmir Conflict

The region of Jammu and Kashmir, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, has been the subject of fierce dispute since the partition of British India in 1947. Historically, Kashmir was a princely state, ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, a Hindu, despite the majority of his subjects being Muslim. When India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, princely states were given the choice to join either country or remain independent. Hari Singh initially attempted to stay independent. However, the ambitions of both newly formed nations clashed over Kashmir, leading to decades of unrest, wars, and terror attacks.

Understanding who was truly guilty for the numerous Kashmir attacks over the decades requires a deep dive into the historical, political, and military developments that have shaped the region.

The 1947–1948 Tribal Invasion: The First Kashmir Attack

The first major conflict over Kashmir erupted in late 1947. Tribesmen from Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), supported unofficially by the Pakistani military, invaded Kashmir with the aim of forcibly annexing it to Pakistan. These tribal militias, often called "raiders," attacked towns, looted villages, and committed atrocities against civilians.

Faced with the invasion, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to India in October 1947, seeking Indian military assistance. India accepted Kashmir’s accession, sending troops to repel the invaders.

Who was guilty?
Historical documents, including British diplomatic correspondences and Indian records, point to the fact that Pakistan orchestrated the attack, though it initially denied direct involvement. Later, even some Pakistani officials, such as then Foreign Secretary Sir Zafrullah Khan, hinted at their country's role in supporting the tribesmen.

Verdict: Pakistan-backed tribal forces bore the primary guilt for the first Kashmir war.

The 1965 War: Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar

After the inconclusive end to the first war, tensions simmered for years. In 1965, Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar, a covert mission designed to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to foment an uprising against Indian rule.

The plan backfired. The local Kashmiri population did not revolt as Pakistan had expected. Instead, the Indian Army retaliated, leading to the Second India-Pakistan War.

Who was guilty?
Declassified documents and historians confirm Pakistan initiated the hostilities through Operation Gibraltar. Pakistan’s aim was to internationalize the Kashmir issue by provoking conflict.

Verdict: Pakistan was again the aggressor in this phase of the Kashmir conflict.

1971 War and Aftermath: Kashmir Takes a Backseat

In 1971, the focus shifted away from Kashmir when India and Pakistan fought over East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Kashmir remained tense but relatively quiet in terms of attacks during the early 1970s and 1980s.

However, the seeds of future violence were being sown during this period, particularly through rising dissatisfaction among Kashmiri Muslims, rigged elections (especially the 1987 election), and political instability.

Rise of Militancy (1989 Onward): Insurgency and Terrorism

In 1989, Kashmir changed dramatically. A full-blown insurgency erupted, fueled by local discontent but heavily supported by Pakistan.

  • Pakistan’s Role:
    Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency provided training, arms, and funds to militant groups like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

  • Local Discontent:
    While Pakistan supported militancy, it's important to note that genuine grievances among Kashmiris regarding human rights abuses, lack of political representation, and economic marginalization also contributed to the insurgency.

Who was guilty?
Both internal and external forces played roles, but Pakistan’s active sponsorship of armed groups was a major factor in escalating violence.

Verdict: Pakistan-supported militants were primarily responsible for turning Kashmir into a theater of terror from the late 1980s onward.

Major Terror Attacks: A Closer Look

1. Kargil Conflict (1999)

In 1999, Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and occupied strategic heights in Kargil.

  • India’s Response: Massive military operation to reclaim lost territory.

  • International Response: Global condemnation of Pakistan’s aggression.

Guilty party: Pakistani Army’s Northern Light Infantry (NLI) troops disguised as militants.

Verdict: Pakistan’s military leadership, especially General Pervez Musharraf, was responsible.


2. Indian Parliament Attack (2001)

On December 13, 2001, five armed terrorists attacked the Indian Parliament in New Delhi, killing security personnel and triggering fears of war between India and Pakistan.

  • Groups Involved: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

  • Indian Accusation: These groups were based in Pakistan and received state support.

Who was guilty?
Investigations found evidence linking the attack to Pakistan-based organizations. India mobilized troops along the border in response, leading to a tense standoff.

Verdict: Pakistan-based terror groups, with likely ISI links.


3. Mumbai Attacks (2008)

Though broader than Kashmir, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks were planned by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a group that also operates in Kashmir.

  • Attack: 10 militants attacked multiple sites across Mumbai, killing 166 people.

  • Investigations: Direct links to LeT’s leadership in Pakistan.

Guilty party: Lashkar-e-Taiba, supported by elements within Pakistan.


4. Uri Attack (2016)

On September 18, 2016, four heavily armed militants attacked an Indian Army brigade headquarters in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers.

  • Indian Response: "Surgical strikes" across the LoC targeting terror launchpads.

  • Responsibility: India blamed Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed for orchestrating the attack.

Verdict: Pakistan-supported militants were again guilty.


5. Pulwama Attack (2019)

One of the deadliest terror attacks in Kashmir’s history occurred on February 14, 2019, when a suicide bomber attacked a convoy of Indian paramilitary forces, killing 40 soldiers.

  • Group Involved: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

  • Investigation: The bomber was a local Kashmiri youth, but the attack was planned and financed by JeM leaders operating from Pakistan.

Verdict: JeM, with Pakistan's sheltering of terrorist infrastructure, bore the guilt.


International Viewpoints

  • United Nations: The UN has consistently urged both India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue. However, it recognizes Pakistan’s support for non-state actors as a major destabilizing factor.

  • United States: Multiple U.S. State Department reports have listed Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba as terrorist organizations and criticized Pakistan for harboring them.

  • China: China has often shielded Pakistan diplomatically but even it has occasionally warned against cross-border terrorism.

  • Global Think Tanks: Most independent international think tanks conclude that Pakistan’s "deep state" (military and ISI) uses terrorism as a tool of asymmetric warfare against India, particularly in Kashmir.


The Other Side: Criticisms of India

While Pakistan’s guilt in supporting terrorism is clear, critics also point out issues with India’s approach:

  • Human Rights Violations: Allegations of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and civilian oppression by Indian security forces in Kashmir have fueled resentment.

  • Political Mismanagement: Delayed elections, abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, and prolonged military presence have been criticized by many Kashmiris and international observers.

Thus, while Pakistan has been guilty of aggression and terrorism, India's governance failures have sometimes exacerbated the situation.


Conclusion: Who is Really Guilty?

Throughout the decades-long conflict over Kashmir, Pakistan’s government and military have played the most persistent and aggressive role in instigating violence through:

  • Direct invasions (1947, 1965, 1999)

  • Sponsoring militant organizations

  • Providing safe havens for terrorist leaders

  • Supporting cross-border terrorism under the guise of "freedom struggle"

At the same time, internal issues within Kashmir — including political missteps and alleged human rights abuses by Indian forces — have created fertile ground for unrest.

Final Verdict:
The primary guilt for Kashmir attacks — particularly the organized, large-scale violent ones — lies with Pakistan’s state policy of using militancy as an instrument of foreign policy. However, a complete and lasting peace in Kashmir also requires addressing local grievances, ensuring human rights, and creating a politically inclusive environment in the region.

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