Reasi and the ‘years-old’ issue of cross-border terror

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Context

The Reasi terrorist attack on June 9 highlights the persistent issue of cross-border terrorism affecting India, particularly from Pakistan. This event echoes similar historical attacks aimed at disrupting India's stability during significant political moments.

Continuing Challenge of Cross-Border Terrorism

Historical Attacks and Persistence: The Reasi attack mirrors the 2014 attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, both intended to undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi during pivotal moments.
Role of Pakistan: Persistent links between terrorist groups in Pakistan and attacks in India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), highlight ongoing challenges over the past 35 years.
Evolution of Terror Tactics: Inspired by the Afghan Jihad, Pakistan utilized similar tactics to incite separatism in J&K, involving mass uprisings, violence against minorities, and terrorist activities.

Policy and Strategic Responses

Initial Countermeasures: India developed counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism strategies in the 1990s, combining military force and political activity to restore normalcy in J&K.
Diplomatic Engagements: From the 1990s, India pursued diplomacy, aiming for structured dialogue with Pakistan, though efforts were often stymied by Pakistan's reluctance to address terrorism.
Pre-emption and Force: Post-2019 Pulwama attack, India adopted pre-emptive strikes and surgical operations against terrorist threats, marking a shift from pure diplomacy to a blend of kinetic action and strategic force.

Challenges and Future Directions

Ambiguity in Military Doctrine: Defining what constitutes an "unacceptable" attack remains a challenge, complicating the consistent application of military responses.
Global Diplomatic Efforts: Despite international recognition of Pakistan’s role in terrorism, India continues to emphasize the importance of sharing evidence and engaging the global community.
Sustaining Pressure on Pakistan: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's call for a solution to cross-border terrorism underscores the need for sustained international pressure on Pakistan to curb terrorist activities.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Examine the historical and strategic challenges that India faces in dealing with cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. How have these challenges shaped India's internal security policies?

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