Security sources warn of rising extremism, risk of major internal violence in India

ISLAMABAD: Senior security officials on Tuesday warned that growing religious extremism, intolerance, and deepening social divisions in India could trigger large-scale internal violence, while accusing New Delhi of attempting to divert attention from its domestic challenges by creating instability in the region.

The remarks were made during a briefing by a senior security official to media influencers on developments related to India and the regional security environment.

According to the officials, India's political leadership was increasingly relying on external tensions to shift attention away from internal political, social and economic challenges.

The security sources described India as a "Hindutva-driven failed state," alleging that the country's secular foundations had been eroded by rising religious extremism and intolerance.

They claimed that the ideology of Hindutva had fundamentally altered India's political landscape and that the country's armed forces had become influenced by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's religious and political agenda.

The officials also argued that the narrative of a "Shining India" did not reflect the realities of an increasingly polarised society, alleging that freedom of expression and media independence remained under significant state control.

They further claimed that the concept of "Akhand Bharat" represented an expansionist vision with broader regional implications.

Expressing concern over India's internal situation, the security sources warned that the country faced the risk of large-scale communal violence if existing trends of religious polarisation and intolerance continued unchecked.

They alleged that discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims, was widening social divisions and increasing the potential for future unrest.

Commenting on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the officials claimed the region remained heavily militarised, alleging that one security personnel was deployed for every seven to eight civilians.

The briefing also accused India of staging false-flag operations and attributing them to Pakistan in an attempt to divert international attention from what the officials described as indigenous freedom movements in the disputed territory.

The security sources further claimed that India viewed a stable, economically prosperous and moderate Pakistan as contrary to its strategic objectives.

They alleged that sections of the Indian political leadership and media continued to promote narratives against Pakistan and its armed forces, while also claiming that the banned Joint Awami Action Committee was pursuing an agenda aligned with Indian interests.

Concluding the briefing, the officials maintained that Pakistan remained committed to safeguarding its national interests and asserted that neither the state nor its people had ever been intimidated by India and would not be deterred in the future.intolerance,