Islamabad, January 5 – In a fresh escalation of accusations against India, Pakistan has alleged that India’s premier intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has been carrying out covert assassinations inside Pakistani territory. The claims, brought to light by a recent Washington Post report, suggest that since 2021, RAW has executed a systematic program targeting nearly half a dozen individuals linked to terrorist organizations declared by the United Nations.
According to the report, the targeted individuals were allegedly associated with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which India views as serious threats to its national security. These groups have been accused of orchestrating attacks on Indian soil, including military installations and civilian targets.
Allegations: Covert Operations and Funding Networks
The report claims that RAW did not directly involve Indian nationals in these operations but instead hired local criminals and Afghan mercenaries to carry out the killings. To maintain secrecy, the funding and operational logistics were reportedly managed through Dubai-based businessmen and hawala networks.
A key example cited in the report is the attack on Amir Sarfaraz Tamba, one of the accused in the 2013 murder of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh. These assassinations, according to Pakistani officials, are part of a broader Indian strategy to exert pressure on Pakistan by eliminating individuals perceived as threats to India’s security.
ISI Struggles Against Covert Operations
The wave of targeted killings has reportedly left Pakistan’s intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), scrambling for answers. According to the Washington Post, in 2022, ISI Director General Nadeem Anjum raised concerns with CIA Director William J. Burns about India’s increasing aggressiveness in covert operations.
The report notes that this ongoing “shadow war” between India and Pakistan is not new but claims that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s strategy has become more aggressive and organized, posing a significant challenge to Pakistan’s security apparatus.
Pakistani officials have expressed frustration, claiming that India’s actions expose the inadequacies of their intelligence agencies. One senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted, “India’s approach has become far more calculated and effective, leaving us struggling to counter their moves.”
India’s Stance: Committed to Lawful Action
While India’s Ministry of External Affairs has refrained from commenting on the latest allegations, the country has consistently maintained its stance against extra-judicial killings. India has repeatedly emphasized that as the world’s largest democracy, it upholds the rule of law and focuses on bringing perpetrators to justice through legal frameworks.
Despite India’s official silence, the Washington Post report portrays Prime Minister Modi as a tough leader with zero tolerance towards anti-national elements. The report also compares RAW’s operations to those of Israel’s Mossad, known for its high-risk, high-reward covert missions against threats to national security.
Global Implications and Pakistan’s Plea for Accountability
International political experts have weighed in on the issue, with Christopher Clary, a prominent American political analyst, remarking, “RAW’s operations in Pakistan have been effective in achieving their strategic goals, though the same model hasn’t yielded similar success in Western countries.” He added that as India continues to rise as a global power, its covert activities demand greater international scrutiny and accountability.
Pakistani officials, meanwhile, have urged the United States and the international community to hold India accountable for what they describe as a breach of international norms and sovereignty. However, the lack of substantial evidence and India’s growing diplomatic clout complicate Pakistan’s efforts to garner international support.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
