Cross-Border Terrorism in South Asia:

A Case Study of India and Pakistan

By Sumbal Shahzadi
 Problem Statement
 Cross-border terrorism has been a persistent issue for India and
Pakistan, jeopardizing regional stability, causing immense human
suffering, fueling mistrust, and hindering peace initiatives.
Abstract
 Cross-border terrorism between Pakistan and India continues to pose a serious threat
to the regional stability of South Asia. This research paper will explore various factors
of cross-border terrorism, including its political, ideological, and historical foundations,
the role of technology and non-state actors, and why existing counterterrorism
measures have failed to stop terrorism despite several attempts. In addition to
addressing the underlying causes of terrorism, this research promotes regional
cooperation and a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy. Additionally, this paper
will give policy recommendations and a structured way forward for policymakers of
South Asia.
 Introduction
 In the first section, a conceptual clarification of the terms ‘Terrorism’ and ‘Cross-border
terrorism
 Explore various factors of cross-border terrorism: Historical grievances,
ideological differences, and border disputes
 Complex Interdependence (RSCT)
 how historical grievances, ideological and border differences, and other underlying factors lead
to the emergence of fundamentalist and extremist ideas and how these extremist ideas lead to
cross-border terrorism which destroys peace
 why existing counterterrorism measures have failed?
 Literature Review
 Policy recommendations based on Functionalism and neo-functionalism
 Cross-border terrorism
 refers to terrorist activities carried out by individuals or groups who
operate across national boundaries. This form of terrorism often
involves perpetrators crossing from one country into another to carry
out attacks or to support terrorist operations in various ways. The
term highlights the international dimension of terrorism, emphasizing
that threats are not confined to single nations but can have far-
reaching, global implications.
 Mumbai Attacks (2008):
• Executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist group.
Barry Buzan's theory of Regional Security Complexes (RSC)

 Key Concepts:
 Security Interdependence: States within a region affect each other's
security. Threats and security policies are interconnected.
 Proximity: Geographical closeness amplifies security interdependence as
neighboring states are more likely to affect each other.
 Regional Subsystems: Regions are considered subsystems of the
international system where the principal security concerns are interlinked.
 India-Pakistan Rivalry: The long-standing conflict between India and
Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir, is a central aspect of the South Asian
Region.
 Afghanistan's Instability: Afghanistan's security situation significantly
impacts Pakistan, with spillover effects such as refugee flows, arms
smuggling, and militant activities.
Barry Buzan's theory of Regional Security
Complexes (RSC)
 Kashmir Conflict: Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and
Lashkar-e-Taiba have been involved in terrorist activities in India,
primarily related to the Kashmir dispute. This situation exemplifies
the security interdependence in the region, where Pakistan's internal
security policies and support for militant groups directly affect India's
security.
 Proxy Warfare: Both nations accuse each other of supporting
terrorism on their soil. For instance, India accuses Pakistan of backing
militants in Kashmir, while Pakistan accuses India of supporting
separatist movements in Balochistan and terrorist groups like the
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Initiatives to counter cross-border terrorism

•Operation Zarb-e-Azb: Military operation launched in 2014 to eliminate

terrorist safe havens in North Waziristan.
•Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad: Nationwide military operation launched in 2017
to eliminate the residual threat of terrorism.
•National Action Plan (NAP): A comprehensive plan devised in 2014 to
combat terrorism through legislative, administrative, and military measures.
•Border Management: Enhanced border security measures along the Afghan
border to prevent cross-border movement of militants.
•Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Compliance: Efforts to comply with
FATF recommendations to curb terrorism financing.
•Law Enforcement Operations: Increased focus on law enforcement
agencies to apprehend and prosecute terrorists and their facilitators.
Initiatives to counter cross-border
terrorism
•Surgical Strikes: Conducted in 2016 and 2019, targeting terrorist launch pads
across the Line of Control (LoC) in response to terrorist attacks.
•Balakot Airstrike: Carried out in 2019, targeting a terrorist training camp deep
inside Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
•Border Security Measures: Enhanced border fencing, surveillance, and patrolling
along the Line of Control and international borders to prevent infiltration.
•International Diplomacy: Efforts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically and raise
awareness about cross-border terrorism at international forums.
•Financial Measures: Stricter monitoring and regulation of financial transactions to
curb funding for terrorist activities.
•Global Counterterrorism Cooperation: Collaboration with international partners
and organizations to strengthen counterterrorism efforts globally.
Failure of counterterrorism
Initiatives
•Lack of Political Will: If political leaders are unwilling to commit resources, implement
necessary reforms, or take tough decisions against terrorism, it can severely undermine
counterterrorism efforts.
•Poor Intelligence Coordination: Ineffective sharing of intelligence between different
agencies and countries can lead to missed opportunities to prevent terrorist attacks.
•Lack of Public Perception and Support: Lack of public support or trust in
counterterrorism measures can weaken efforts, as cooperation from the public is often
crucial for intelligence gathering and prevention.
•External Support to Terrorist Groups: Support from state or non-state actors outside the
country can sustain terrorist organizations, making it harder to eradicate them.
 Literature Review
 C. Christine Fair (2014) - "Fighting to the End: The Pakistan
Army's Way of War"Christine Fair argues that the Pakistan Army has
a strategic culture that perpetuates conflict with India. According to
Fair, the army’s institutional interests are served by maintaining a
state of hostility with India, which justifies its dominance in Pakistani
politics and society. She suggests that cross-border terrorism is a tool
used by the Pakistani military to wage a proxy war against India,
keeping the conflict alive and ensuring the army's centrality in
national affairs.
Literature Review

 Sumit Ganguly (2001) - "Conflict Unending: India-Pakistan

Tensions Since 1947; Sumit Ganguly examines the historical
context of India-Pakistan relations, emphasizing the unresolved
territorial dispute over Kashmir as the core issue driving cross-border
terrorism. He argues that the lack of resolution on Kashmir fuels
insurgency and terrorism, with Pakistan supporting militant groups as
part of its strategy to challenge Indian control over the region.
Ganguly also points to internal political dynamics in both countries
that exacerbate the conflict.
Literature Review

 S. Paul Kapur (2007) - "Dangerous Deterrent: Nuclear

Weapons Proliferation and Conflict in South Asia"
 S. Paul Kapur explores the impact of nuclear weapons on the India-
Pakistan conflict, suggesting that nuclearization has emboldened
Pakistan to support cross-border terrorism under the security of a
nuclear deterrent. He argues that nuclear weapons create a paradox
where they deter full-scale wars but lower the threshold for sub-
conventional conflicts, such as terrorism and proxy wars.
Literature Review

 Shuja Nawaz (2009) - "Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army,

and the Wars Within“
 Shuja Nawaz provides a detailed history of the Pakistan Army and its
influence on the country's politics and security policies. He argues
that the army’s dominant role has shaped Pakistan’s strategic
behavior, including its use of cross-border terrorism as a policy tool
against India. Nawaz calls for comprehensive reforms in civil-military
relations in Pakistan to foster peace and stability.
Literature Review

 Pervez Hoodbhoy (2011) - "Confronting the Bomb: Pakistani

and Indian Scientists Speak Out"
 Pervez Hoodbhoy, along with other scientists, discusses the
implications of nuclear weapons on the India-Pakistan conflict. He
highlights how nuclearization has influenced the strategic calculus in
both countries, potentially emboldening Pakistan to engage in cross-
border terrorism under a nuclear umbrella. Hoodbhoy calls for
scientific and diplomatic engagement to mitigate these risks.
 Gaps
 The identified gaps in the existing literature point to the need for
more comprehensive, integrated, and multi-dimensional approaches
to countering cross-border terrorism between India and Pakistan. By
addressing these gaps, future research can provide practical policy
recommendations that are better suited to the complex realities of
the region
Policy recommendations

 Functionalism: Functionalism posits that cooperation between states

starts with addressing specific functional needs, such as economic or
security concerns. By focusing on these practical issues, states
gradually build trust and interdependence, paving the way for broader
cooperation and integration. Functionalism suggests that integration in
one area can spill over into other areas, creating a momentum towards
deeper cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
 Neo-functionalism builds on functionalism by emphasizing the spill-
over effect of integration in one area into other sectors. It argues that
integration in economic or functional areas can create new shared
interests, which in turn drive further integration and cooperation in
broader political and social domains. Neo-functionalism sees
integration as a process where states willingly pool sovereignty to
achieve common goals and solve collective problems.
 Track-II Diplomacy
 Track-II Diplomacy and Track-III Dialogues: : Alongside the official diplomatic
processes, there should be active Track II diplomacy through non-state actors and
people-to-people diplomacy, academia, and civil society organizations. These are
informal discussion platforms, where people can engage in healthy discussions, manage
and solve conflicts, and even reconcile without necessarily being bound by diplomatic
protocols
 if all vulnerable points exploited by extremists are eradicated, the
scourge of terrorism can be effectively addressed.
 Conclusion
 Cross-border terrorism between India and Pakistan undermines
South Asia's stability, fueled by ideological differences and
historical animosities. Non-state actors exacerbate this conflict,
and challenges like poor coordination and cyberterrorism
persist. Addressing these issues requires enhanced border
security, intelligence-sharing, and regional cooperation.
Utilizing functionalist and neo-functionalist approaches,
including socioeconomic development and gradual diplomatic
reforms, can transform historical grievances into a foundation
for regional peace and stability .
Thank you..