On May 7, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a precision missile strike targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab Province. The operation, which included strikes on key terror hubs such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke and Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM) Subhan Allah Mosque complex in Bahawalpur, highlights the complex web of Pakistan’s proxy terror infrastructure. Read more about India’s military operations in our article here.

The Strategic Locations of Terror Infrastructure

Pakistan has spent decades building an extensive support system for terror groups, positioning training camps, recruitment centres, and logistical support across key locations. Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke and JeM’s Bahawalpur complex are just two examples of how anti-India militant groups operate under Pakistan’s state-sponsored support. For more on Pakistan’s role in supporting terror, refer to the BBC’s analysis on Pakistan’s proxy war strategy.

• Markaz Taiba in Muridke: A known training ground for Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for many high-profile attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Subhan Allah Mosque in Bahawalpur: A central site for JeM’s radicalisation and recruitment efforts, also where their leader, Masood Azhar, has called for continued jihad against India.

Punjab as the Heartland for Recruitment

While militancy in the peripheral provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan often captures the headlines, Punjab Province has been at the heart of Pakistan’s anti-India terror network. The presence of figures like JeM leader Masood Azhar in Bahawalpur and the recruitment of militants from villages such as Faridkot signals Punjab’s pivotal role in the jihadist machine. To learn more about the historical context of Punjab’s involvement, see the Dawn News article on Punjab’s radicalisation efforts.

The Evolution of Pakistan’s Proxy Terror Strategy

Pakistan’s proxy terror strategy can be traced back to the Afghan jihad of the 1980s, where it began supporting insurgent groups with funding from the CIA and Saudi Arabia. After the Soviet withdrawal, these assets were redirected to support Pakistan’s fight against India, particularly in Kashmir. Over time, groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed evolved from regional insurgents into sophisticated, state-backed terror outfits with global reach. If you’re interested in the broader history of Pakistan’s military-jihadi complex, check out our post on Pakistan’s Military-Terror Nexus.

Impact of International Sanctions and Efforts to Contain Terrorism

Despite being blacklisted by international bodies like the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Pakistan has made limited progress in dismantling these terror networks. The FATF’s grey-listing in 2022 temporarily signaled compliance, but many key figures have remained free and operational. In many cases, military crackdowns on these groups are superficial, allowing them to continue operating under rebranded or protected statuses. For more details on FATF’s efforts, you can read the FATF’s official reports on Pakistan’s compliance.

Proxy Warfare and Asymmetric Conflict

Asymmetric warfare, where weaker states like Pakistan use non-state actors to achieve their goals, has been central to Pakistan’s military strategy. Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine has limited India’s conventional military response, while the use of proxies allows Pakistan to engage in low-cost, high-impact operations. This approach has led to a pattern of frequent skirmishes and cross-border attacks with plausible deniability, ensuring that Pakistan avoids direct military escalation. To explore this further, read our blog on Asymmetric Warfare in South Asia.

Why Proxies Matter in the India-Pakistan Conflict

Pakistan’s continued use of proxy groups is a strategy of necessity rather than choice. With India’s growing military and diplomatic clout, Pakistan’s security establishment resorts to asymmetric tactics to counterbalance India’s advantages. These proxies, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, serve as a means to bleed India through low-intensity conflict, creating instability in Kashmir and beyond. For insights into how Pakistan’s military continues its strategy, read this Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) analysis on Pakistan’s military strategy.

Conclusion: The Need for Global Action

India’s retaliatory action in Operation Sindoor is a stark reminder of the continued threat posed by Pakistan’s proxy terror infrastructure. While the international community has taken steps to curtail this threat, more decisive action is needed to dismantle the networks that feed terror. Until these terror hubs are fully eradicated, the cycle of violence in South Asia is likely to continue. For further discussions on global counterterrorism strategies, visit the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office’s official page.

Call to Action: As global tensions rise, the international community must intensify efforts to hold Pakistan accountable for its role in supporting terror groups and disrupting regional stability. You can read more about India’s strategic responses in our article here.