[Answered] Despite tactical successes like Operation Sindoor, India’s counter-terrorism strategy is critiqued for over-reliance on foreign policy and military force, overlooking the crucial ‘internalization of terrorism’ within Jammu and Kashmir. Analyze the critical importance of addressing this internal dimension for a holistic and sustainable peace in the region.

Introduction

Operation Sindoor (May 2025), India’s high-impact military retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, marks a significant tactical and symbolic milestone in its counter-terrorism operations. However, such kinetic responses, though necessary, often mask the deeper structural issues that perpetuate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The internalization of terrorism — driven by political alienation, socio-economic grievances, and identity crises — remains inadequately addressed. A holistic strategy demands not just muscular responses, but long-term socio-political healing and integration.

Understanding the Internalization of Terrorism

1. The insurgency in J&K began in 1989 with largely indigenous roots, later abetted by foreign infiltration.
2. While Pakistan’s role as a sponsor of cross-border terrorism is undeniable, internal dynamics such as youth marginalisation, limited economic opportunities, trust deficit in governance, and alienation from the national mainstream have historically provided fertile ground for radicalisation.
3. The South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) reports a drastic decline in terror-related fatalities — from over 4,000 in 2001 to 127 in 2024 — underscoring security forces’ effectiveness.
4. However, the persistence of ideologically motivated youth recruits, despite reduced local participation compared to the Burhan Wani era, signals underlying discontent.

The Limits of Kinetic and Externalized Deterrence

1. India’s military reprisals — from the 2016 surgical strikes to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes — and now Operation Sindoor, though momentous, have had limited success in altering Pakistan’s strategic calculus. SATP data indicates that terror fatalities increased post-2016, underscoring the ineffectiveness of kinetic action alone as a sustainable deterrent.
2. Moreover, such operations risk over-centralizing focus on foreign policy and external threats while ignoring internal security vacuums.
3. The recent voids in the Jammu security grid, exploited by groups like The Resistance Front, and the degradation of HUMINT (human intelligence) networks point to a systemic neglect of internal resilience-building.

Strategic Significance of Internal Dimension

1. Community Engagement: The unprecedented bipartisan condemnation of the Pahalgam attack by local residents illustrates a strategic opportunity to rebuild trust. This popular sentiment must be harnessed through dialogue, not demolition — punitive actions like bulldozing homes risk alienating potential allies in the community.
2. Political Reconciliation: Genuine political engagement, restoration of statehood, and reactivation of democratic processes are necessary. Studies by the Observer Research Foundation emphasize that alienation recedes when democratic institutions are perceived as responsive and inclusive.
3. Socio-Economic Development: Economic deprivation is a breeding ground for extremism. Programs such as PMDP (Prime Minister’s Development Package) and Mission Youth must be accelerated and effectively targeted to improve employability, infrastructure, and digital literacy.
4. Counter-Narratives: Investing in deradicalization and counter-propaganda efforts, particularly through local religious and community leaders, can neutralize extremist narratives, especially among vulnerable youth.

Conclusion

Tactical victories like Operation Sindoor reflect India’s growing military prowess but fall short of securing long-term peace without addressing the internal dimension of terrorism. As Clausewitz noted, “War is the continuation of politics by other means” — but peace is sustained not by force alone, but by inclusion, justice, and dialogue. India’s counter-terrorism policy must thus shift from reactive force to proactive governance, embedding peace within the hearts of people, not just the map of the nation.