The recent attack on a tourist spot in the Muslim majority area of Pahalgam in Indian occupied Kashmir has led to speculations of Indian intent in creating yet another false flag operation as a part of its hybrid strategy to sabotage Pakistan. By branding the freedom fighters of Kashmir as terrorists and blaming Pakistan (state sponsored terrorism) for the repercussions of India’s atrocities in occupied Kashmir, this is not the first moment, such a false flag operation has occurred.

The killing of 35 Sikhs in 2000 by the Indian army in occupied Kashmir just before the arrival of President Bill Clinton in India was a false flag operation by India to discredit Pakistan in the eyes of the US

The killing of 35 Sikhs in 2000 by the Indian army in occupied Kashmir just before the arrival of President Bill Clinton in India was a false flag operation by India to discredit Pakistan in the eyes of the US. Similarly, the 2001 parliament attack was a failure of the Indian security forces to defend Delhi, however, India’s accusation on Pakistan led to a full border stand-off between the two nuclear powered states, and a possible escalation from a conventional conflict to a nuclear one. In other similar instances such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Pathankot airbase attack and the 2016 Uri attacks were a part of India’s hybrid warfare to falsely portray Pakistan a terrorism sponsoring state. These incidents were planned and implemented by India to purse its antagonistic foreign policy against Pakistan for the purpose of subjugating any possible case of Pakistan’s support in favor of Kashmir, removing attention for Kashmiri struggle for freedom and branding Pakistan’s position as a state sponsoring terrorism at the international stage.

The Pulwama incident in 2019 is a classic example of how Indian extremist national government under the BJP and Modi’s regime orchestrate false flag operations against Pakistan

The Pulwama incident in 2019 is a classic example of how Indian extremist national government under the BJP and Modi’s regime orchestrate false flag operations against Pakistan. The Balakot strikes in which India claimed to have attacked a Jais-e-Muhammad camp and killed multiple militants was rejected by multiple international and national platforms. India called these strikes as a nonmilitary preemptive strike to counter incoming terrorist attacks, however Pakistan clearly mentioned that India had crossed the international border and attacked the territory of a sovereign state. Modi used this false flag operation to pursue his political objectives in the upcoming elections and hide the incompetent foreign policy and military strategies of his party. Modi also used this opportunity to speed up the purchase of Rafael jets form France as he created a narrative of failure of the Indian Air Force against the Pakistan air jets because of India jets using old technology.

India is using coercive means of warfare to achieve its political objectives against Pakistan

From the above incidents, one can conclude that India is using coercive means of warfare to achieve its political objectives against Pakistan. India uses these incidents to leverage its support against Pakistan, however, forgets to analyze that Pakistan has faced terrorism for the last two decades. This can only be characterized as a policy failure on the side of India, that militants and freedom fighters are continuously rising in occupied Kashmir as a response to Indian behavior in Kashmir. The revocation of Article 370 and 35A by Indian parliament where Kashmir’s special status was removed as well as the distribution of Kashmiri land “citizenship” to non-domicile holders to reduce Muslim population are recent steps taken by India against occupied Kashmir and its residents. Historical accounts of how India has treated Kashmiri Muslims for the last decades need no explanation, and as a result, freedom fighters have stood up against the apartheid state of India.

The timings as well as the circumstances in which these possible false flag operations occur must be analyzed

Viewing the above incidents and their possible reasons, the Pahalgam Incident should not be observed in seclusion. The timings as well as the circumstances in which these possible false flag operations occur must be analyzed before coming to a conclusion. As mentioned above, the attack reflects Indian security failure as to how the attackers traveled 400km into Occupied Kashmir territory from the LOC with weapons, unless they were part of a false flag operation.

Within 30 minutes of the attack, the hashtag of “PakistanTerrorError” was in top trending on Twitter

The Indian media is infamous for creating deceiving narratives were surprisingly more active in branding the attackers as Muslims and instantly portrayed Pakistan as the responsible state. According to a dawn report, within 30 minutes of the attack, the hashtag of “PakistanTerrorError” was in top trending and similar tweets from many Indian accounts were being published after 15 minutes of the attack. Contradictory reports related to the incident as well as the arrival of Vice President JD Vance at such an important time cannot be regarded as a coincidence and India’s prior behavior in such times of extreme political and diplomatic importance points towards a possible operation orchestrated by India. Now, under the Modi regime, the Indian government is not only using information warfare to achieve its political objectives but is also employing military tactics to subdue Pakistan. As seen during the Pulwama crisis, the use of aerial power by India is prompting Pakistan to adopt more military tactics to counter Indian advances, and this can be very dangerous for two states who are engaging under a possible nuclear escalation.

The possibility of Kashmir becoming a “nuclear standpoint” has increased yet again

For over a year, defense analysts in Pakistan predicted a possible Indian false flag operation, the reason being India’s rising extremist ideological governance under Modi as well as changing geopolitical conditions. Indian steps to suspend the Indus Water Treaty and close the Wagah border clearly indicates that India is preparing for offensive action against Pakistan. Therefore, the possibility of Kashmir becoming a “nuclear standpoint” has increased yet again, and India’s immature behavior in such a disturbed environment may drag the two nuclear powered states into an all-out war.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.