India’s Destabilizing Tactics in South Asia

India’s persistent provocations along the Line of Control (LoC) continue to endanger regional stability. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements, India has engaged in unprovoked aggression, intelligence-led sabotage, and psychological warfare against Pakistan, particularly in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan. These activities include ceasefire violations, the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and the smuggling of weapons and narcotics. Rather than fueling hostilities, India would be better off addressing its own internal crises, including border tensions with China and increasing domestic turmoil.

India’s history of unprovoked firing and deliberate targeting of civilians along the LoC is well-documented. Security reports confirm that since 2016, Indian forces have planted at least 54 IEDs in various sectors along the LoC, leading to civilian casualties and destruction. These explosives have been discovered in Chakothi, Neza Pir, Chirikot, Rakh Chikri, Dewa, Battal, Kot Kotera, and several other locations.

In the most recent incidents, between February 4 and 6, 2025, four Indian IEDs were found in the Battal Sector and Rawalakot, resulting in the tragic loss of a civilian life. Furthermore, on February 12, 2025, Indian forces violated the ceasefire in the Dewa and Bagsar Sectors, injuring two Pakistani soldiers. Such reckless aggression not only disrupts peace but also exposes India’s disregard for international agreements.

Beyond direct military provocations, India has been using covert tactics to destabilize the region. Reports indicate that Indian intelligence operatives facilitate the smuggling of IEDs, firearms, and narcotics into AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan to create an atmosphere of unrest. The involvement of Indian military personnel in these illegal activities has even led to internal disciplinary actions. Officers from units such as 3 Rajputs and 12 Jats have been punished for using military channels to smuggle contraband.

India also exploits psychological warfare by orchestrating false flag operations. These staged encounters serve to implicate Pakistan in cross-border incursions falsely, misleading international observers while attempting to justify India’s militaristic posture in occupied Kashmir. India seeks to mask its intelligence and operational failures by diverting global attention through fabricated narratives.

The consequences of India’s actions are most acutely felt by the civilians living along the LoC. Families residing in these areas face constant fear due to unprovoked shelling and sabotage activities. Schools remain unsafe, businesses struggle to function, and communities are left vulnerable to sudden escalations.

A striking example of India’s subversive tactics was recorded in November 2022, when a civilian shot and killed an Indian soldier who was attempting to hide a weapons cache. This incident, captured on video, highlighted India’s strategy of planting fabricated evidence to malign Pakistan. Additionally, suicide rates among Indian soldiers have been steadily rising, exposing the deep frustration within the ranks. To avoid scrutiny, many of these deaths are falsely attributed to cross-border clashes.

India’s pattern of interference extends well beyond the LoC. Its intelligence agencies have been linked to extrajudicial activities in several Western countries, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the foiled plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US are clear indicators of India’s covert global operations. These incidents have drawn international backlash, further isolating India on the diplomatic front.

Rather than provoke conflicts, India should address its own internal vulnerabilities. Its ongoing border disputes with China, particularly in the Ladakh region, remain unresolved, with Chinese forces having successfully gained ground in recent clashes. Yet, instead of confronting these challenges, India continues to provoke Pakistan in an attempt to shift attention away from its weaknesses.

Domestically, India faces mounting unrest due to increasing religious intolerance, economic struggles, and the suppression of free speech. Under the current government, political dissenters and minorities face systematic persecution while press freedoms continue to erode. Instead of manufacturing conflicts along the LoC, India should focus on restoring stability within its own borders.

Pakistan has consistently engaged with international bodies, including the United Nations, to highlight India’s ongoing violations along the LoC. Concrete evidence of ceasefire breaches and IED attacks has been shared with UN officials, reinforcing Pakistan’s stance as a responsible actor committed to peace. However, India has refused to allow UN monitoring on its side of the LoC, raising serious questions about its accountability.

The international community must take a firm stance against India’s actions. Diplomatic pressure should be applied to ensure India adheres to ceasefire agreements and cease destabilizing activities. Stability in South Asia is a shared global interest, and India’s continued provocations jeopardize regional peace.

India’s persistent aggression along the LoC is a reckless gamble that threatens regional security. While Pakistan remains committed to maintaining peace, it will not stand idly by as its sovereignty is continuously challenged. India must recognize that hostility and deception will not strengthen its global standing. Instead of manufacturing conflicts, India should prioritize resolving its border issues with China, addressing domestic unrest, and engaging in constructive diplomacy. A responsible nation seeks stability, not chaos.