Blame, Smuggle, Repeat: Indian Army’s Strategy in IIOJK

By Muhammad Arsalan Jamal Ghouri

The senior leadership of the Indian Army has long alleged that Pakistan destabilizes the region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). This narrative, however, overlooks a growing body of evidence suggesting that Indian security forces themselves may be deeply complicit in activities that undermine stability, including drug and weapon smuggling across the Line of Control (LoC). This complex web of deceit reveals a disturbing strategy of fabricated recovery operations and blame-shifting, orchestrated to sustain India’s counterterrorism narrative and perpetuate anti-Pakistan sentiments domestically and internationally.

India’s tendency to accuse Pakistan of cross-border terrorism has persisted for decades, often lacking evidence or due process. This strategy is convenient for the Indian government, as it stokes anti-Pakistan sentiment among the public, distracting attention from issues like human rights violations in IIOJK and rampant corruption within the Indian Army. By positioning Pakistan as a perpetual scapegoat, the Indian establishment has built a counterterrorism narrative that serves its geopolitical interests, shifting focus away from internal challenges and domestic unrest.

The fabrication of terrorist incidents in IIOJK has become so normalized that these “recovery” operations are often staged without sufficient investigation, feeding a propaganda machine that plays into the hands of both the Indian government and its media. Local sources and independent reports suggest that fake encounters, staged by Indian forces under the guise of counterterrorism, are conducted to justify the Indian Army’s massive presence in the region. This approach not only fuels anti-Pakistan sentiment but also fosters distrust among the local population, who are directly impacted by these staged operations.

Alarming revelations in recent years indicate that corruption within the Indian Army goes deeper than financial misconduct; it allegedly extends to drug smuggling across the LoC. Between 2017 and 2021, numerous cases emerged where Indian Army officers were implicated in narcotics trafficking, sometimes in collaboration with local cartels. These reports suggest that military resources, intended for national security, may have been repurposed to transport contraband.

In 2021, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a Border Security Force (BSF) officer, Romesh Kumar, in Handwara, Kupwara district, with significant cash linked to a cross-border drug network. This incident exposed a syndicate involving multiple Indian security officials, casting serious doubts on the transparency and accountability within India’s military and law enforcement agencies. The NIA’s investigation found that corruption within the ranks allowed for a seamless trafficking network, linking local cartels with security forces in IIOJK. The proceeds of these activities are believed to have not only enriched individuals but also contributed to an expanding narcotics culture in IIOJK.

Furthermore, the sudden rise in drug addiction rates within IIOJK, a region with an extraordinarily high security presence, raises serious questions about the role of Indian law enforcement. Given the extensive military and paramilitary deployment, how could narcotics and contraband infiltrate local communities? The parallel rise in drug use in mainland India suggests a common source and hints at larger networks within India that facilitate the distribution of these substances.

Smuggling across the LoC appears to be more than a mere economic endeavor for corrupt officials; it has evolved into a means of control over the population. The rise of drug addiction in IIOJK weakens the youth and sows discord among communities, effectively pacifying the region.

Critics argue that the Indian Army exploits these conditions to bolster its narrative of terrorism and extremism, further justifying its heavy-handed approach.

There is a duality in the Indian Army’s conduct in IIOJK. Publicly, it showcases its efforts to counter alleged cross-border terrorism. Behind the scenes, however, a disturbing pattern emerges: fake encounters and staged recovery operations have become standard practices to maintain relevance. This hypocrisy is evident in the conflicting statements made by Indian officials regarding security improvements in IIOJK. While officials like GOC Chinar Corps and Kashmir region’s DGP Dilbagh Singh boast about enhanced control over the region, narratives about Pakistan’s alleged involvement in terror plots persist, revealing an oscillating stance that raises more questions than answers.

Indian media plays a significant role in this strategy, amplifying accusations against Pakistan without critically examining the credibility of such claims. From high-profile accusations against Pakistan to elaborate cover-ups of security failings within India’s borders, the media has become a tool for anti-Pakistan propaganda. By painting Pakistan as the villain, Indian media deflects attention from ground realities in IIOJK, including human rights abuses and an economy strained by military excesses.

This media strategy is compounded by international cases that highlight India’s involvement in transnational drug trafficking networks. In recent years, large-scale heroin busts in ports like Mundra and Gujarat, linked to Indian cartels and shipping routes, have exposed India’s own challenges with narcotics. The sudden influx of heroin from routes that intersect Afghanistan, Iran, and India has further implicated Indian authorities in the drug trade, pointing to a larger network that may extend beyond India’s borders.

The pattern of corruption, deception, and scapegoating within the Indian Army’s higher ranks is not only troubling but destabilizing for regional peace. Blaming Pakistan without credible evidence only fuels tensions across the LoC and detracts from the pressing need for transparency within India’s own security agencies. The successful ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, honored since 2019, provides an opportunity for both nations to build trust and address illegal cross-border activities. Instead, India’s reliance on unsubstantiated allegations hampers progress and perpetuates a cycle of hostility.

Pakistan, for its part, has consistently rejected India’s allegations, urging instead a cooperative approach to security challenges. It remains committed to international obligations, countering terrorism within its borders and advocating for dialogue as a means to address concerns. However, India’s failure to acknowledge its own internal issues—especially the rising drug addiction and corruption among its military personnel—undermines its credibility on the global stage.

For India to truly address its challenges, it must confront the realities within its own ranks and cease its reliance on Pakistan as a convenient scapegoat. The evidence of drug smuggling, fake encounters, and staged operations reveals a military leadership that prioritizes short-term gains and internal politics over professionalism and accountability. Unless India reforms its military and security apparatus, it will remain entangled in a cycle of blame, corruption, and deception.

The responsibility now lies with India to “put its house in order.” True stability in IIOJK can only be achieved through transparency, accountability, and a genuine commitment to ending corruption and human rights abuses. Only then can India hope to build lasting peace, both within its borders and with its neighbors across the LoC.