It appears to be a ploy by the Pakistan army and its deep state to internationalise Kashmir issue following successful efforts by India to nail its belligerent neighbour,

Pakistan's move to step up aggression in J&K appears to be fuelled by the fact that the next general election in the country is due in July and political parties backed by the army would be keen to make Kashmir a poll issue.


Simultaneously, it appears to be a ploy by the Pakistan army and its deep state to internationalise Kashmir issue following successful efforts by India to nail its belligerent neighbour, for use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy, at various international fora and through Pakistan's traditional allies in West Asia and Southeast Asia.

Although Pakistan has reportedly sent several feelers to India over the past few months to resume talks, the Modi government has given Pakistan the cold shoulder in the wake of Pathankot and Uri terrorist attacks.

The Modi government is unlikely to yield to pressure tactics pursued through violence and launch a structured dialogue with Pakistan anytime soon, according to people aware of the matter. NSAs of both countries continue to be in touch as means of high-level communication between the two sides, but there is not much faith in India that Kashmir will not emerge as a key poll issue in Pakistan and prompt political parties across the border to make hostile noises.

Pakistan is expected to come under intense pressure when the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) — an intergovernmental organisation coordinating global efforts to combat money laundering and terror financing — meets in Paris next week for its plenary session. Ahead of that Pakistan has made a last-ditch attempt to ban LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and extend its Anti-Terrorism Act to include all UN-proscribed organisations and entities for the first time.