History shows that even conflicts between rival states have traditionally followed certain norms. Open confrontation, declared intent, and acceptance of consequences have long been considered part of responsible state conduct. In contrast, proxy warfare, covert operations, and terrorism represent a far more dangerous and destabilising approach.
Pakistan today faces this very challenge.
Following a clear setback in May 2025, India appears to have shifted away from direct engagement and towards indirect methods of hostility. Instead of reassessing its strategy, it has allegedly intensified efforts to destabilise Pakistan internally through proxy groups and subversive tactics. The surge in terrorist violence in Balochistan and the infiltration of terrorist elements across Pakistan’s western borders are not isolated events but part of a broader pattern.
Pakistani authorities maintain that these claims are supported by evidence. Intelligence findings, material links, and operational traces connecting India to militant activity have repeatedly been shared with the international community. The use of Afghan territory by terrorist networks targeting Pakistan has also been well documented. These groups do not operate independently; they function as part of an organised proxy framework supported and sustained by external actors.
While India plays a central role in this strategy, it is not alone. Certain international actors that aligned themselves with India during the events of May 2025, and whose technological capabilities were publicly displayed at the time, also carry responsibility. However, that episode also reinforced Pakistan’s defensive strength. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s armed forces demonstrated operational effectiveness and strategic restraint, restoring deterrence and reinforcing national security.
The primary threat Pakistan faces today is not conventional warfare but terrorism that deliberately targets civilians. Labourers, passengers, and unarmed citizens have increasingly become victims. These attacks reveal the moral bankruptcy of groups that claim political motives yet rely on indiscriminate violence. Such actions are not driven by ideology but by frustration and failure.
Pakistan’s response has been firm and coordinated. The armed forces, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement institutions remain on high alert, while the public continues to show resilience. The sacrifices of both civilians and security personnel reflect a national consensus that compromise on security is not an option.
At the centre of this proxy network is the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). While it claims to represent Baloch grievances, its actions tell a different story. The group has increasingly functioned as a tool of external manipulation, disconnected from the genuine needs and aspirations of the Baloch people. Its operations—ambushes, extortion, and attacks on soft targets—have reduced it to criminality rather than political resistance.
Recent security operations have further exposed the group’s weaknesses. Poor planning, lack of public support, and sustained pressure from law enforcement agencies have led to significant losses. Their networks are shrinking, leadership is isolated, and operational capacity continues to decline. These developments reflect both the failure of militant strategies and the professionalism of Pakistan’s security institutions.
The message to those backing such proxies is clear. Continued reliance on militant groups will bring no strategic benefit. Proxy warfare may create temporary disruption, but it cannot change long-term realities shaped by national resolve, geography, and public unity. Balochistan’s future lies in peace, development, and integration within a secure and sovereign Pakistan—not in externally driven violence.
History consistently shows that shadow wars do not shape the destiny of nations. States that rely on covert hostility eventually exhaust themselves. Pakistan has faced similar challenges before and has emerged stronger. While proxy attacks may cause harm, they cannot determine outcomes. That power rests with a vigilant state, a professional military, and a resilient people committed to protecting their country and securing a stable future.
Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal serves as the Director General (Research) at the National Assembly Secretariat, Parliament House, Islamabad. With extensive experience in legislative research and policy analysis.
