Pakistan’s historical involvement in promoting terrorism has contributed to instability in South Asia. Maintaining regional stability is crucial for US interests due to the region’s proximity to Afghanistan and China, as highlighted in a recent report.
In a piece for PJ Media, journalist Uzay Bulut emphasized the importance of US and India’s anti-terrorism efforts being complemented by initiatives to revive the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity of South Asia. Bulut noted that the region has suffered significant damage due to forced Islamisation and violence.
Reflecting on the Pahalgam terror attack’s first anniversary, where Pakistan-supported terrorists targeted and killed 26 tourists based on their religion, Bulut referenced US Congressman Brad Sherman’s call for Pakistan to control groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Congressman Sherman, speaking at an exhibition in Washington, condemned the attack and urged Pakistan to crack down on terrorist organizations operating from its soil.
The exhibition, titled the ‘Human Cost of Terrorism,’ showcased various global terrorist incidents, including the Pahalgam attack and past events like the 1993 and 2008 Mumbai attacks. It highlighted the involvement of Pakistan-based entities like LeT in these attacks. India’s response to the Pahalgam attack, through Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, was also noted.
Bulut underscored the long-standing anti-Hindu persecution in Kashmir, tracing it back to India’s partition. She pointed out the rise of Islamic terrorism in the 1980s in the Kashmir Valley, allegedly supported by Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies. Stressing that Islamic terrorism poses a global threat, she urged the US to address the religious and cultural marginalization of non-Muslim communities in South Asia.
