Opinion | Elimination of Terrorism in Kashmir: Civilian Resistance and Pakistan’s Growing Challenge

Terrorism in Kashmir is breathing its last, not just because of military operations but because of the people who have chosen to reject it. And that is the biggest defeat Pakistan could ever face.

Ever since terrorism erupted in Kashmir, it has dictated the social fabric of a Kashmiri’s life. A Hartaal call would decide whether a student attends school, a businessman opens his shop, or a daily wager earns his livelihood. I won’t say entirely, but yes, Kashmiris have often been politically gullible. A person chanting slogans for the PDP today might be seen in an NC rally tomorrow and a BJP gathering the day after. Yet, paradoxically, Kashmiris are also as politically rigid as stone—those who stood with Sheikh Abdullah’s NC still cast their votes for the party, regardless of the candidate, and Sajad Lone continues to win elections on the political capital built by his late father, Abdul Gani Lone. This dual nature—gullibility and cynicism—has been both a strength and a vulnerability. When Pakistan attempted to radicalize the Kashmiri youth, unfortunately, they achieved some success, but purely for the vested interests of the ISI and Islamabad. Yes, they managed to create a handful of mouthpieces here, but as I said, it is impossible to fully understand a Kashmiri. It was a Kashmiri who rejected Pakistan’s sinister brand of terrorism when they first tried to invade us with Kabailis in 1947. It was a common Kashmiri who provided intelligence to security forces against terrorists from the very beginning of this conflict. So, overall, the ordinary Kashmiri was never a Pakistani supporter—except for a few, and those few only sustained themselves because New Delhi allowed them to exploit democracy beyond its limits. New Delhi’s insistence on upholding democratic values at all costs, even when it meant giving a platform to secessionists, was a grave mistake. Every time India allowed these Pakistan-backed elements to speak under the garb of free expression, it came at the cost of innocent lives. The post-2019 policy towards these mouthpieces of Pakistan is what should have been implemented long ago. But as the Urdu saying goes, ‘Dair aaye, durust aaye’—better late than never.

Pakistan was always fed with false hopes and kept in delusion by its mouthpieces here that Kashmiris support them. This narrative, however, unravelled very late—post-2019. Since then, terrorism in Kashmir has plummeted to its lowest. The same youth who once thronged terrorist funerals in 2016 are now seen with pens and books, striving for a better future. The recruitment process, once a concerning trend, has nearly vanished. A major factor that put an end to this vicious cycle was the decision to stop returning the bodies of terrorists to their families. The glorification of funerals had long acted as a magnet, drawing impressionable youth toward militancy. But in 2020, a stringent yet much-needed policy was implemented—denying dead terrorists the grand send-offs that had once fuelled radicalization. This single decision not only curbed recruitment but also dismantled the psychological appeal that terrorism once held in Kashmir. The impact of this policy was evident in 2022 when Kashmir saw the lowest recruitment of terrorists in over a decade. The year 2023 further strengthened this trend, with recruitment numbers dropping below 50—a stark contrast to the over 200 recruits annually during the peak of insurgency. Security forces, in collaboration with local civilians, have also ensured a swift crackdown on those attempting to revive terrorism. The encounter at Kokernag in September 2023, where local informants played a crucial role in neutralizing a high-profile terrorist, exemplifies this cooperation. It is no longer just the army or police fighting terrorism; it is the people of Kashmir who have taken a stand.

And this is precisely why Pakistan is struggling. The biggest challenge Islamabad faces today is not from the Indian Army but from the Kashmiri civilians who refuse to buy into their propaganda anymore. The very people Pakistan once counted on for support are now its biggest roadblock. The parents who once remained silent when their children picked up guns are now actively handing them over to the police before it’s too late. In January 2024, a mother in Pulwama personally ensured that her radicalized son surrendered, marking a significant moment in Kashmir’s fight against terrorism. The intelligence network has strengthened not just because of government efforts but because of Kashmiri shopkeepers, teachers, and even former militants who realize that their future lies in peace, not in Pakistan’s failed dreams. Pakistan’s inability to digest this shift is evident in its recent desperation. From attempting to revive cross-border infiltration to launching information warfare on social media, Islamabad is running out of options. The sudden surge in pro-Pakistan digital propaganda in 2024, mostly orchestrated through accounts based in Rawalpindi, is proof of how Pakistan is struggling to stay relevant in Kashmir. But the reality remains unchanged—Kashmiris are no longer willing to sacrifice their lives for a war that serves only Pakistan’s interests.
Pakistan’s terror project in Kashmir is collapsing, not just due to military action but because Kashmiris have rejected its toxic influence. The same people once trapped in its deceit now stand as its biggest challenge. Kashmir’s future is no longer dictated by Pakistan’s failed ambitions—it belongs to its people, and they choose peace.
The Writer is a student activist and can be reached at soulofkashmir1@gmail.com