Pakistan’s long-standing use of proxy groups and non-state actors has been a significant driver of regional instability, particularly impacting its relationship with India and fueling internal security challenges. This strategy, often referred to as proxy warfare, allows Pakistan to pursue its geopolitical objectives while maintaining a degree of plausible deniability. However, the nature of these “inimical elements” and the mechanisms through which they are enabled are complex and multifaceted.
Pakistan’s proxy network primarily consists of various militant and extremist organisation. Historically, these groups have been instrumental in: Kashmir Insurgency groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have been used to fuel militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. These orgnisation receive ideological, logistical and financial support as well as training, often from Pakistan-based entities. The recent denial by “The Resistance Front” a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy of its involvement in the Pahalgam attack is a clear example of these groups attempting to evade responsibility. At the same time, their links to Pakistan remain evident. Destabilization in Afghanistan, Pakistan has been accused of supporting various factions in Afghanistan, including the Taliban to secure its strat interests and counter perceived Indian influence. While Pakistan officially supported the Taliban’s resistance, their return to power has inadvertently boosted groups like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan which now uses Afghanistan as a base for attacks within Pakistan. Internal Security Challenges the policy of nurturing certain non-state actors has also led to a blowback effect with some of these groups turning against the Pakistani state itself. The Tehrik-e-Taliban resurgence and continued attacks within Pakistan highlight the perils of such a strategy.
The sustenance and operation of these proxy groups are facilitated through various mechanism, often involving a complex interplay of state patronage, ideological alignment and exploitation of existing socio-economic factors: Despite official denials, there is ample evidence and historical admissions, including by Pakistani def ministers, that the state, particularly its intelligence agencies like the Inter Service Intelligence, has historically supported and funded these groups. This support has ranged from providing safe havens and training camps to supplying Weapons and financial aid. This “dirty work,” as some Pakistani officials have termed it, was often justified as serving strat interests, particularly during the Cold War and the War on Terror. Ideological Alignment and Recruitment many of these proxy groups, particularly those operations in Kashmir, leverage religious extremism and a narrative of “jihad” to rectify indels. This ideological indoctrination often takes place in religious seminaries and through online and offline networks, creating a steady supply of motivated cadres.
Logistical Back-up and Arms Supply the proliferation of weapons, particularly from the Afghan arms pipeline, has provided an immense hidden stockpile that can be siphoned off to these groups. Networks for arms supply and funding, often through illicit channels like hawala, ensure that these proxies remain well-equipped. Exploiting Local Grievances, in regions like Kashmir, Pakistan has historically exploited local grievances and sentiments to fuel anti-India narratives and create a fertile ground for militancy. Attacks are often timed to disrupt eco activity, instil fear and develop a perception of unrest, thereby testing the Indian state’s ability to maintain control. Strat Ambiguity and Deniability, Pakistan’s two-faced strategy of denying engagement globally while allowing terrorist infrastructure to function locally provides a degree of plausible deniability. This diplomatic inertia from the international community has often emboldened Pakistan to continue its proxy war without fear of significant retribution. External Support, While Pakistan is the primary enabler, certain external actors can, knowingly or unknowingly, provide indirect support. For instance, Turkey’s growing partnership with Pakistan, including the supply of drones and military upgrades, raises concerns about its potential contribution to Pakistan’s military capabilities which could indirectly bolster its proxy warfare capacity. The extensive coverage of Kashmir issues by Turkish media outlets, often with a biased slant, also plays into Pakistan’s narrative warfare.
The continued reliance on proxy support by Pakistan carries severe implications for regional security: Perpetual Instability, Proxy warfare ensures that regions like Kashmir remain in a state of uncertainty, hindering devp and fostering a climate of fear. Escalation Risks the use of non-state actors can easily escalate into confrontations between states, particularly between nuclear-armed adversaries such as India and Pakistan. While nuclear deterrence may avert full-scale war, it does little to halt cycles of escalation driven by mistrust. Humanitarian Crisis the direct victims of proxy wars are often civilian populations who suffer from displacement, loss of life and the desire for infra. Undermining Counterterrorism Efforts the international community’s efforts to combat terrorism are undermined when states actively support or tolerate the presence of militant groups. This makes it challenging to establish universal norms and hold individuals accountable in counterterrorism. Strain on International Relations Pakistan’s use of proxies strains its diplomatic relations with countries like India and can also lead to international pressure as seen with its inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
In conclusion, the enabling of Pakistan’s malign agenda through proxy support is a deeply entrenched and multifaceted issue. It relies on a combination of state patronage, ideological explanation, logistical facilitation and start deniability. Addressing this challenge requires not only robust counterterrorism measures but also sustained international pressure on Pakistan to dismantle its proxy infra and cease its support for inimical elements, thereby fostering a more stable and peaceful South Asian region.
