Kashmir Solidarity Day: A Front for Extremist Propaganda

Kashmir Solidarity Day: A Tool for Extremist Propaganda

Pakistan recognises February 05 as Kashmir Solidarity Day and a national holiday every year. According to the official website of the Embassy of Pakistan in Greece, the day, first observed in 1990 on the call of Nawaz Sharif, is meant to reaffirm Pakistan’s political, moral, and diplomatic backing for Kashmiris' "right to self-determination." However, the central Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, claimed in 2018 that the day was first observed by his party in 1990 on the call of its former Ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed. Multiple Pakistani state and non-state actors have been using the day to promote extremist propaganda, radicalise young minds, glorify jihad, and facilitate terrorist recruitment.

Growing Extremist Rhetoric in Pakistan

On February 02, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Deputy Chief Saifullah Kasuri attended a public gathering at an unconfirmed location, vowing intensified Mujahideen attacks and claiming Kashmir would join Pakistan by February 2026. Similarly, on February 05, top LeT leader Rizwan Hanif issued another veiled threat at a rally in Muzaffarabad, PoK, warning that the abrogation of Article 370 was a “grave mistake” and that peace in the region was impossible without the withdrawal of Indian forces from Kashmir. Meanwhile, Talha Saeed, son of the 26/11 mastermind and (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed, delivered a provocative speech in Lahore on February 05, vowing to “liberate Kashmir at any cost.” The presence of a large cheering crowd of supporters further highlights the unchecked extremist rhetoric being propagated in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, addressing a gathering in Muzaffarabad on February 5, reiterated Pakistan’s claim over Kashmir, stating that “Kashmir and Pakistan share an inseparable bond.” The Prime Minister of PoK, Anwar ul Haq, in a rally on February 5, openly advocated a "revival of jihadist culture" to drive Indian forces out of J&K. These back-to-back statements by Pakistani leadership over Kashmir showcase their attempt to keep the issue alive domestically while supporting the cross-border terrorism.

The Hamas Connection

On February 05, a conference titled 'Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood' was organised in Rawalakote, PoK. Senior leadership from Hamas, LeT, and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) attended the event. Multiple footages from a roadshow on February 04 show masked cadres of LeT and JeM escorting the Hamas leaders on bikes, cars, and even horses with flags of Hamas and PoK. Hamas delegation was led by its representative in Iran, Dr. Khalid Al-Qadoumi, who shared the stage with JeM’s Talha Saif (Masood Azhar’s brother), launching commander Asghar Khan Kashmiri, Masood Ilyas, and senior LeT commanders.

The participation of Hamas leadership in a Pakistan-backed conference signals its growing links with Pakistani terror outfits. It indicates that radical elements in Pakistan are attempting to bolster terrorist recruitment, especially as local recruitment in J&K declines. It was likely an effort to reinvigorate jihadist sentiment under the banner of the Ummah and a pan-Islamic cause.

Renewed Infiltration Attempts Around Kashmir Solidarity Day

On February 1, the Indian Army (IA) successfully neutralised two terrorists attempting to cross the LoC in the Khari Karmara sector, Poonch. However, one infiltrator managed to retreat into the PoK. On the night of February 4-5, an infiltration attempt in Poonch’s Krishna Ghati sector was foiled when a suspected terrorist triggered a landmine. On February 8, the IA’s patrolling party was fired upon near Baratgala in the Keri sector of Rajouri by suspected terrorists from across the LoC in a possible bid to infiltrate. Another instance of sniper fire from across the LoC injuring an Indian soldier was reported on February 10 at a forward post in the Kalal area of the Nowshera sector, Rajouri. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast was reported in the Laleali area in the Akhnoor sector, Poonch on February 11, killing two soldiers of the Indian Army and injuring another. Two additional instances of cross-border firing occurred on February 12 and 14 in the Tarkundi area of the Krishna Ghati sector and the Battal area of the Akhnoor sector, respectively.

These incidents underscore the persistent attempts by Pakistan’s Army and terrorist groups to breach the Indian border and sow chaos. All the above-mentioned areas are infiltration hotspots due to their rugged terrain, dense forest cover, and proximity to Pakistani forward posts used to provide cover fire. The previous infiltration pattern shows an increase in the infiltration during the spring season as snow starts melting in the high-altitude passes, making the routes more accessible. Indian security agencies have already raised concerns about increasing attempts at infiltration. Recent intelligence reports suggest that 80 to 100 foreign terrorists have gathered at launch pads along the LoC, preparing for summer offensives in J&K.

Heightened Vigilance Needed

Pakistan’s continued support for terrorism, coupled with its growing alignment with global jihadist outfits like Hamas, poses a serious security threat to India. With Pakistan continuing its proxy war under the guise of "supporting Kashmir’s free will," and as infiltration attempts are expected to rise, India must remain vigilant, bolster its intelligence capabilities, and strengthen the anti-infiltration grid. The ongoing developments underscore the urgency of countering both physical and ideological threats emanating from across the LoC.

Pic Courtesy- Photo by Kirill Kadyrov on Unsplash

(The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of CESCUBE.)