Kashmir Crisis: 7 Shocking Truths Behind Operation Tupac and India’s Bold Counterstrike

Pakistan’s Operation Tupac, launched in the late 1980s under General Zia-ul-Haq, sought to destabilize Jammu & Kashmir through proxy militancy, religious radicalization, and cross-border terrorism. Modeled after anti-Soviet Afghan jihad tactics, the ISI orchestrated a three-phase insurgency—recruiting local youth, sabotaging Indian infrastructure, and framing the conflict as a holy war. The campaign triggered mass displacement of Kashmiri Pandits, crippled the region’s economy, and entrenched violence. India’s strategic counterstrike came in 2019 with Article 370’s abrogation, dismantling Pakistan’s exploitation of Kashmir’s political ambiguity and curbing separatist networks.

While terror incidents dropped and tourism revived, attacks like the 2024 Pahalgam ambush underscore Islamabad’s refusal to abandon proxy warfare. Pakistan’s rhetoric, exemplified by General Munir’s “jugular vein” remarks and diplomatic provocations, contrasts with India’s focus on military deterrence (Balakot strikes), economic pressure, and tech-driven surveillance. Though Operation Tupac’s shadow lingers, India’s constitutional overhaul and proactive counterterrorism mark a pivotal shift, challenging Pakistan’s outdated playbook in this decades-old conflict. 

Kashmir Crisis: 7 Shocking Truths Behind Operation Tupac and India’s Bold Counterstrike

The Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has long been a crucible of geopolitical tension, but few covert campaigns have shaped its modern trajectory as profoundly as Pakistan’s Operation Tupac. Conceived in the late 1980s under General Zia-ul-Haq, this clandestine strategy sought to destabilize Indian-administered Kashmir through insurgency, psychological warfare, and proxy militancy. Decades later, its echoes linger, even as India’s bold moves—like the 2019 constitutional reforms—have reshaped the battlefield.  

The Genesis of Operation Tupac 

Operation Tupac emerged from Pakistan’s strategic playbook, refined after setbacks like the failed 1965 Operation Gibraltar, which aimed to incite a Kashmiri uprising but instead sparked a war. Learning from the Soviet-Afghan War, where U.S.-backed mujahideen bled Soviet forces, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) adapted similar tactics. The operation’s name paid homage to Túpac Amaru II, an 18th-century Peruvian revolutionary—a symbolic nod to anti-colonial resistance.  

Three Phases of Destabilization:  

• Insurgency & Subversion: Recruit disillusioned Kashmiri youth, train them in guerrilla tactics, and infiltrate institutions.  

• Military Pressure: Sabotage Indian infrastructure and escalate cross-border raids.  

• Religious Mobilization: Frame the conflict as a jihad, attracting foreign fighters and radicalizing local sentiment. 

By the early 1990s, this strategy bore grim fruit: targeted violence displaced nearly 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits, while bombings and assassinations paralyzed governance.  

The Afghan Jihad Blueprint 

Pakistan’s success in Afghanistan against the Soviets became a template. Training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) armed groups like the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), while propaganda painted India as an “occupier.” The ISI weaponized religious identity, transforming political grievances into a holy war. Foreign fighters and advanced weaponry flooded the Valley, turning Kashmir into a proxy battleground.  

Economic & Social Collapse:  

• Tourism revenue evaporated as violence spiked.  

• Schools and hospitals became targets, deepening distrust in institutions.  

• Radicalization alienated communities, fracturing Kashmir’s social fabric. 

India’s Turning Point: From Defense to Offense 

For decades, India’s response focused on containment. But by 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government shifted gears. The abrogation of Article 370—which revoked J&K’s special autonomy—was a strategic masterstroke. By integrating the region fully into India’s constitutional framework, New Delhi aimed to:  

• Disrupt Pakistan’s narrative of Kashmir as a “disputed” territory.  

• Accelerate economic development and counter radicalization.  

• Neutralize separatist networks that thrived under Article 370’s ambiguity. 

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval underscored this link, noting that Pakistan exploited Article 370 to fuel Operation Tupac’s insurgency. Post-2019, terror incidents dropped sharply, tourism rebounded, and mainstream political participation grew.  

The Unfinished War 

Despite these gains, shadows of Operation Tupac linger. The July 2024 Pahalgam terrorist attack—which killed nine pilgrims—serves as a grim reminder of Pakistan’s enduring proxy campaign. Days earlier, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir declared Kashmir Islamabad’s “jugular vein,” echoing the rhetoric that birthed Tupac. Meanwhile, diplomatic provocations, like a Pakistani official’s “throat slit” gesture at protesters in London, reveal a pattern of psychological warfare extending beyond borders.  

India’s Evolving Counterplay:  

• Balakot Airstrike (2019): Demonstrated India’s willingness to strike terror camps inside Pakistan.  

• Enhanced Surveillance: Stratospheric airships and drone tech now monitor infiltration routes.  

• Economic Pressure: Bans on Pakistani imports and maritime restrictions weaken Islamabad’s leverage. 

Conclusion: A New Chapter in an Old Conflict 

Operation Tupac’s legacy is a testament to the enduring volatility of Kashmir. Yet India’s proactive measures since 2019 have rewritten the rules. While Pakistan clings to outdated tactics of proxy warfare, New Delhi’s blend of constitutional reform, economic integration, and military deterrence offers a path to lasting stability. The road ahead remains fraught—evidenced by sporadic attacks like Pahalgam—but the balance of power has undeniably shifted. In this shadow war, India’s greatest weapon may no longer be its military, but its ability to render Pakistan’s decades-old playbook obsolete.