Pakistan employing same tactic as Hamas: Former Pentagon official on Pahalgam terror attack

Jammu and Kashmir: The attack on Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir recently has been likened to the October 7 attacks in Israel by terror group Hamas. Michael Rubin, a former US Pentagon spokesman, has indicated that Pakistan's plan seems to be the same as Hamas', aiming at a particular religion and the most liberal of them. Rubin quoted, "Targeting a vacation resort, middle-class Hindus, it is clear that the Pakistanis are trying the same tactic now."

Rubin's call to action

Rubin called on India to make an Israel-like response against Pakistan and remove the leadership of the ISI. "It's time to remove the leadership of the ISI, to declare them a terror group, and urge every country that is a friend of India. to do the same," he underscored. India's reaction, Rubin says, should be forceful and targeted at removing Pakistan's militant infrastructure.

Former J&K police chief's analysis

Former Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Shesh Paul Vaid has also compared the Pahalgam attack with the October 7 Hamas attack, terming it a "Pulwama 2.0 moment." Vaid emphasized that India's reaction should be like Israel's reaction against Hamas, which has been marked by quick and firm action against militant organizations. "Our response should be commensurate, something like the way Israel reacted," he said.

Intelligence reports

Intelligence reports have indicated several visits by top Hamas officials to Pakistan in the last year. A recent visit by a Hamas delegation to Jaish-e-Muhammed headquarters in Bahawalpur has raised concerns regarding Pakistan's connections with militant organizations. These visits indicate a strengthening of relations between Pakistan and Hamas, which may have regional security implications.

The Pahalgam attack

At least 28 people were martyred in the Pahalgam attack, which is the biggest terror attack after the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019. Survivors have narrated the gruesome attack, in which terrorists attacked people on the basis of their religion. The attack has evoked widespread anger and calls for a tough response from the Indian government.

Pakistan's militant infrastructure

The Pahalgam attack has triggered demands for a hard response from India. Experts and former officials are calling on the government to act decisively against Pakistan and militant groups. As Rubin noted, India's response must be directed at destroying Pakistan's militant infrastructure and eliminating the leadership of the ISI. The world is waiting to see how India will respond to this latest terror attack.