‘Why Pakistan Needs Lashkar, Jaish When…’: Ex-Pak Envoy Over Soaring Tensions With India

Last Updated:May 16, 2025, 18:43 IST

A senior fellow at Hudson Institute, Haqqani questioned the rationale for the continued existence of terror organisations in Pakistan.

Indian armed forces fight Pakistani Army and terrorists during Operation Sindoor. (IMAGE: SOURCED)

India-Pakistan Ties: Warning against the backdrop of the near-war situation following the Pahalgam terror attack, former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani urged Islamabad to shut down the terrorist groups being functioning in the country.

A senior fellow at Hudson Institute, Haqqani questioned the rationale for the continued existence of terror organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Sipah-e-Mohammed, and the Difa-e-Watan Council, an alliance reportedly known for its extremist views, despite Pakistan possessing a capable military.

“A terrorist attack in Pahalgam led India and Pakistan to the brink of total war. To avoid that in future, it is important to shut down Jihadi groups. With well equipped armed forces, why does the country need Lashkar, Sipah, Jaish, & their Difa-e-Watan Council?" he said in a post on X.

Operation Sindoor

India launched “precision strikes" under Operation Sindoor on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes killed at least 10 family members of JeM chief Masood Azhar and four close aides.

The sites targeted were the Pakistani bases at Rafiqui (Shorkot, Jhang), Murid (Chakwal), Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi) Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian (Kasur). In the strikes, the air bases in Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad and Sargodha suffered extensive damage.

Within a tightly coordinated 24-minute window, India targeted 21 terror camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) across nine locations, four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The targets were not just aimed at avenging the Pahalgam attack, but also targeting terror sites where other such attacks were planned.

The operation, however, escalated bilateral tensions as it led to strikes and counter-strikes between the two nations. The Pakistani actions were strongly responded to by the Indian Defence Forces.

On May 10, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to stop all firing and military action on land, air and sea, with effect from 5pm. Pakistan, however, violated the agreement within hours of it coming into effect.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, in his first address to the nation ever since the conflict erupted, said operations against Pakistan have only been kept in abeyance and discussions with Islamabad will solely focus on terrorism and Islamabad has to shut down the terrorists’ infrastructure for further normalcy in diplomatic ties.

India-Pakistan Soaring Tensions

In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack, although it later backtracked after massive global outrage.

After the attack, the diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan were downgraded with New Delhi announcing several punitive measures, including suspension of Indus Water Treaty, cutting Islamabad Mission strength, closing its airspace for Pakistani airlines and expulsion of its military attaches. In response, Pakistan undertook tit-for-tat measures and suspended the Shimla Agreement.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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