Over the past two years, Pakistan has witnessed a significant deterioration in its internal security situation, marked by a surge in violent attacks targeting security forces. These assaults have primarily been carried out by local insurgent and extremist groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and various Baloch militant outfits. Despite the Pakistan military’s persistent efforts to suppress these threats through heavy-handed operations, the challenges have only intensified, resulting in substantial casualties among soldiers and a growing sense of instability within the country.
A recent incident on October 24, 2025, underscores the ongoing volatility in Pakistan’s security landscape. Pakistani authorities announced that they successfully foiled a major terror attack in the general area of Jhallar, located in the North Waziristan District. According to a statement by Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation following credible information about a local militant faction preparing a vehicle-borne suicide bomber for a significant terrorist act. During the operation, the military claimed to have eliminated 25 terrorists, destroyed the vehicle intended for the attack, and suffered the loss of five soldiers.
The DG ISPR further stated that among those killed were “three Indian-sponsored khwarij” — a term used by Pakistani officials to describe insurgents or extremists. The military also announced ongoing “sanitization operations” aiming to eliminate any remaining militants allegedly backed by India in the region. This operation was framed within the broader context of Pakistan’s relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision called ‘Azm e Istehkam’ (Resolve for Stability), supported by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. The campaign is portrayed as a comprehensive effort by Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
However, this narrative fits a well-established pattern in Pakistan’s domestic information campaigns, which experts and analysts widely regard as an attempt by the military establishment to deflect blame for internal instability. Under the leadership of Army Chief General Asim Munir, the military has increasingly attributed internal unrest and security failures to “foreign-sponsored terrorism,” specifically blaming “Indian proxies.” This framing serves multiple purposes: it shifts public anger away from the military’s shortcomings, justifies ongoing crackdowns in restive regions such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and reinforces a narrative of Pakistan as a victim of external aggression.
This strategy, however, has been met with skepticism both within Pakistan and internationally. Reports from the region suggest that the October 24 attack was primarily orchestrated by a local Pakistani militant faction acting against the Pakistan Army itself rather than by foreign agents. Such developments highlight the deep internal fissures within Pakistan’s security apparatus and the broader state structure. The military’s repeated invocation of India as the source of all insurgency-related problems is viewed by many critics as a convenient scapegoating tactic rather than a reflection of factual intelligence.
Over the last two years, the pattern of attacks by domestic insurgent groups has been relentless. These groups have exploited the country’s fragile security environment, carrying out bombings, ambushes, and targeted killings that have taken a heavy toll on Pakistan’s military personnel. Despite numerous counterterrorism operations and security crackdowns, the insurgency has persisted, exposing significant gaps in the military’s ability to restore law and order. This ongoing security crisis has also contributed to declining morale among the troops, with reports indicating growing resentment within the ranks toward General Munir’s leadership.
General Munir’s tenure as the army chief has been marked by widening rifts between the military and civilian populations. The country has witnessed numerous protests over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the suppression of political dissent. These issues have fueled public discontent and eroded trust in both the military and the government. Critics argue that instead of addressing these grievances substantively or reforming its counterterrorism approach, the military continues to rely on externalizing blame by pointing fingers at India. This tactic is seen as a method to maintain control over the domestic narrative and justify the use of force in troubled provinces.
The Pakistani military’s information wing, the ISPR, has played a crucial role in sustaining this narrative. Over the years, it has frequently issued statements claiming the involvement of “Indian proxies” in various insurgent activities without providing verifiable evidence. For instance, earlier claims during operations such as “Operation Sindoor” included unsubstantiated reports