India-Pakistan military conflict has overshadowed the core issue of terrorism

By A Representative

In response to the April 22 terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, Indian security forces carried out air strikes on May 7 targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), believed to be camps of militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the attacks killed at least 100 militants.

However, the cross-border operations quickly escalated into direct hostilities between India and Pakistan, resulting in more fatalities than those caused by the initial terror attack. A ceasefire was announced by both nations on May 10, although reports suggest sporadic violations continue.

In a press release issued, the Socialist Party (India) expressed concern over the widening conflict, warning that the war footing has overshadowed the core issue of terrorism. The party criticized the Indian government’s military response, calling it a populist move that failed to address the root causes or secure long-term security. It also blamed sections of the Indian media for fueling war hysteria and risking communal harmony.

The party emphasized the importance of diplomacy, advocating for international pressure on Pakistan to act against terrorist groups and urging India to initiate dialogue with Pakistan’s elected government. It further suggested forming a joint Indo-Pak task force to combat terrorism collaboratively.

The statement linked the conflict to the unresolved Kashmir issue, asserting that sustainable peace is impossible without dialogue involving the people of Kashmir. It highlighted the civilian toll of post-attack clashes and warned against indiscriminate labeling of Kashmiri civilians as militants, citing the case of a madrasa teacher reportedly misidentified by the media.

The Socialist Party called for immediate efforts to resume dialogue, implement confidence-building measures, and seek a long-term peaceful resolution to both terrorism and the Kashmir dispute.

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