In our theology, there is a Kashmiri saying that translates to, ‘‘No crime stays buried after forty days, it surfaces” It has been decades since Pakistan started harbouring terrorism, mostly against India and Kashmir in particular. I, being a common Kashmiri, have borne the brunt of Pakistan’s terrorism in Kashmir for years. Every day, we get to hear news where Pakistan is associated with terrorism. Just about a month ago, MEMRI published a report saying Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group, is preparing its maritime wing to conduct a Mumbai-style terror attack on Indian soil. Other reports suggest that terror networks operating in Pakistan are planning to infiltrate the Indian education system, deploy their sleeper cells, and promote white-collar, sophisticated terrorism to evade suspicion. Recently, news from multiple sources surfaced on social media that a U.S. congressional report says that terror outfits continue to operate freely inside Pakistan. If we connect the dots, with so much happening around, the war in the Middle East, the MEMRI report, and the U.S. report, there is a high possibility that a Pakistan backed terror attack may occur in India, as Pakistan can never be trusted; history reminds us of that.
The real question is: why does Pakistan continue to harbour terrorism, and why is India its main target? I, being a Kashmiri who has been a first-hand victim of Pakistan-sponsored terror, can answer this with a more pragmatic approach. In past when terror was at peak, once you step out of your house, your return used to be uncertain; you would get picked up or killed by an unknown gunman. “When I was 8 or 9, I saw a common Kashmiri’s dead body killed by terrorists for speaking against their tyranny. His throat was slit, his clothes were soaked in blood, and blood was oozing from the cuts. I saw all this with my own eyes I shiver as I write. The next day would be uncertain, disruptions to normal life, killings, and extremism. All these things were normal sights to behold in Kashmir. But what goes up must come down. Kashmir started changing. The Pakistani narrative weakened and ultimately began to vanish. This can be seen in today’s Kashmir, which is peaceful, growing, and thriving with normal life no disruptions, and a booming tourism sector. However, this does not sit well with Pakistan, and it continues to disrupt peace in Kashmir. With so many state institutions involved, and with a solid military and ISI backing, it seems terrorism holds a core position in Pakistan’s policies, especially against India in Kashmir. Pakistan’s ideology appears to rely on an anti-India terror doctrine it believes in “bleeding India through a thousand cuts,” socially, diplomatically, culturally, economically, and politically. Pakistan itself is reeling from immense poverty, unemployment, internal terrorism, economic and food crises, and instability. These acts of terror help it divert attention from internal issues and justify its massive military budget, while the public remains hungry. It seeks to damage Kashmir’s economy, tourism, peace, and culture, and to tarnish its image internationally. Unable to confront India directly due to the disparity in size and strength, it resorts to proxies to target India. Pakistan continues to push the narrative of a so-called drama of so-called Kashmir issue, attempting to keep this non-sense alive through terror, proxies, and rhetoric. However, it is not ready to accept that no such issue exists within the borders of India. If such an issue exists, it lies in the regions of PoJK and PoGB, which Pakistan occupies and where voices for rights and freedom continue to emerge.
The underlying point is how true and reliable these reports are. Well, I can’t say that all these reports are true, but “there is no smoke without fire,” and it is Pakistan we are talking about, so anything can be expected. Pakistan cannot be trusted. With the world’s attention focused on the Middle East, recent reports, and Pakistan’s long-standing habit of terror attacks in India, we must be prepared to thwart such plots. The bruises of the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack are still fresh in people’s minds, and neither the world nor India can afford to see another Pahalgam or 26/11. India remains vigilant and ready to protect its citizens and is fully capable of responding to any misadventure, as it has shown in the past. Yet such incidents of terrorism are unfortunate, especially with so much happening across the world, including wars and crimes, while Pakistan continues to engage in hostile activities against India. The world must come forward and assist India in dismantling the terror ecosystem in Pakistan, speak in one voice against terrorism, ensure that it has no place in the world, and hold accountable those who sponsor, support, and harbour it.
What does a Kashmiri want? A common Kashmiri who has seen Pakistan-sponsored terror up close and has been its immediate victim is now witnessing peace and tranquillity in his land. He wants a Kashmir free from killings, shutdowns, extremism, and terrorism. He seeks peace, prosperity, and growth. He wants to work, write, play, and go to school. He wants to cast his vote, criticize his government, and celebrate 26 January and 15 August. A Kashmiri does not want to see another Pahalgam attack, Uri attack, or the violence of 2016, 2008, or the 1990s. He does want to see more stars like Aaqib Dar or Owais Yaqoob. He wants a Kashmir booming with tourists. He does not want bloodshed, terrorism, or Pakistan’s hoax and hollow promises that only guarantee death and violence.
As a Kashmiri, my message to Pakistan is: stay away from my Kashmir. Do not interfere in our land. We are not with you, and we have never been with you. You snatched our loved ones, robbed us of peace, put our Kashmir in lockdown, manipulated situations, caused bloodshed in our land, and made us cry tears of blood. But enough now Kashmir rejects Pakistan. Do not mention us in your press conferences or statements. Focus on your own issues, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. Give rights to the people of PoJK and PoGB. Leave Kashmiris and Kashmir alone. For God’s sake, we have seen enough of you. We want peace and development.

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