Pakistan’s Alleged Role in the Pulwama Attack: International Scrutiny and Calls for Accountability

ANN NEWS 

On February 14, 2019, a devastating suicide bombing targeted a convoy of India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, claiming the lives of 40 personnel. The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) promptly claimed responsibility, reigniting longstanding allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in fostering cross-border terrorism. The attack drew global condemnation and intensified scrutiny of Pakistan’s counterterrorism commitments.

 

 

 

 

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a United Nations-designated terrorist organization, has a history of carrying out high-profile attacks in India, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Despite being banned in Pakistan, JeM operates with relative freedom, leading to accusations of state tolerance. Indian intelligence agencies have presented evidence that points to JeM leader Masood Azhar, a UN-designated global terrorist since 2019, as enjoying state protection in Pakistan. Reports suggest that the Pulwama attack was planned in Pakistan’s Punjab province, where operatives received training and logistical support.

 

 

 

 

Intercepted communications by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed discussions between JeM operatives planning the attack. Moreover, Indian investigations uncovered the role of Adil Ahmad Dar, the local suicide bomber, who had been in contact with Pakistan-based handlers. Islamabad, however, has categorically denied these allegations, maintaining that it has taken significant measures to dismantle militant networks.

 

India’s NIA, alongside international security experts, has pointed to intercepted messages, witness testimonies, and financial trails implicating Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in facilitating the attack. Classified evidence includes communications between JeM leaders and ISI operatives, raising suspicions of direct involvement. Historically, Pakistan has been accused of using proxy groups like JeM to further its strategic objectives in Kashmir.

 

 

 

For instance, JeM operatives who were apprehended in other cases admitted to receiving support, training, and funds from ISI officers. While much of this evidence remains confidential due to national security concerns, the pattern of state-sponsored terrorism adds weight to India’s claims.

 

 

 

The Pulwama attack led to widespread international condemnation. Countries like the United States, France, and the United Kingdom supported India’s push for United Nations sanctions against JeM leader Masood Azhar, overcoming China’s initial resistance. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which had placed Pakistan on its grey list in 2018 for terror financing risks, further increased pressure on Islamabad to curb terror networks.

 

 

 

India launched airstrikes on a suspected JeM training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, marking one of the most aggressive responses to cross-border terrorism in recent history. While Pakistan denied any casualties, India claimed to have targeted several JeM operatives.

 

Pulwama attack exposed weaknesses in South Asia’s counterterrorism framework, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated global action against state-sponsored terrorism. It also highlighted geopolitical complexities, such as China’s role in shielding Pakistan from international scrutiny. For instance, China’s repeated use of its veto power to block sanctions against Masood Azhar initially delayed international action.

 

 

 

 

India’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status in August 2019 further intertwined counterterrorism efforts with political and regional security strategies.

 

In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, India intensified its counterterrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces successfully neutralized several top militant commanders, such as Riyaz Naikoo and Abu Dujana, weakening the operational capabilities of terror networks. Local communities have increasingly voiced their opposition to Pakistan-backed proxy war efforts, reflecting growing frustration with external interference.

 

 

 

In one village in South Kashmir, residents refused to shelter militants, leading to their surrender—a notable shift in public sentiment. Enhanced security measures and stricter surveillance have also contributed to a relative reduction in violence.

 

The Pulwama attack remains a watershed moment in India-Pakistan relations and a case study in addressing state-sponsored terrorism. While direct evidence implicating Pakistan is contested, the incident has intensified calls for transparent international mechanisms to combat terror financing and dismantle safe havens.

 

 

 

Global powers, including the United States and the European Union, must sustain pressure on Pakistan to honor its counterterrorism pledges. Multilateral cooperation, coupled with robust intelligence sharing, will be critical in preventing such attacks in the future. Ensuring stability in South Asia will require not just military action but also addressing the ideological and financial networks that sustain terrorism.