<div class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">The recent wave of drone-based greyzone warfare launched from Pakistani soil has once again heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). Despite explicit <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-operation-sindoor-pahalgam-terror-attack-agree-for-ceasefire-foreign-secretary-vikram-misri-9055414" rel="dofollow">ceasefire</a> understandings reached at the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level talks, rogue commanders in Pakistan's Army continue to violate these agreements by dispatching armed drones into Indian territory.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof" data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"><span><strong>Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pak-ceasefire-pakistan-breached-an-understanding-in-just-3-hours-can-it-be-trusted-pahalgam-terror-attack-operation-sindoor-9057650">India-Pak ceasefire | It took just 3 hours for Pakistan to breach an understanding: Can it be ever trusted?</a></strong></span></div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">This greyzone threat has triggered significant disruptions in civilian aviation. Forward airports in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan have been put on high alert, and a series of flight cancellations has ensued. The Pakistani drone incursions&mdash;primarily using Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones capable of surveillance and lethal payload delivery- pose a serious challenge to our security architecture.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">However, these drone attacks are not merely a military provocation but reflect deep-seated fissures within Pakistan's military establishment. Credible intelligence indicates a widening schism between the Pakistani Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and disgruntled local commanders on the ground. Munir, despite his hawkish public stance towards us, appears strategically invested in maintaining a ceasefire arrangement, likely due to Pakistan's severe economic distress, international isolation, and ongoing internal insurgencies.<br><br></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><strong>Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/operation-sindoor-pm-narendra-modi-speech-shows-strategic-shift-in-india-pakistan-relations-9063034">Operation Sindoor: PM Modi highlights KEY strategic shift in India's approach to Pakistan: Know what they are</a></strong></div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">The Pakistan Army's organisational structure highlights this internal discord's sheer gravity. The DGMO reports directly to General Munir, implying a strict vertical alignment of strategic decisions. DGMO-level meetings and resultant ceasefire agreements explicitly bear Munir's strategic imprint. Given that recent ceasefire negotiations occurred with his direct concurrence, it is evident that General Munir himself seeks to stabilise the Indo-Pak front, at least temporarily.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">Yet, this strategic clarity at the top does not resonate with frontline commanders. Reports of unauthorised drone launches illustrate an alarming degree of insubordination and operational autonomy among local commanders, reflecting internal dissatisfaction and possibly ideological differences within Pakistan's military ranks. This discord mirrors historical incidents, notably during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama attack, where rogue Pakistani military actions precipitated severe diplomatic and military fallout for Islamabad.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof"><strong>Read More | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-are-kirana-hills-and-why-is-the-location-in-discussion-after-operation-sindoor-explained-9062648">What are Kirana Hills, and why is the location in discussion after Operation Sindoor | WION Explains</a></strong></div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">We now face a complex strategic challenge. To counter continued violations, calibrated military responses are imperative. Precise surgical strikes on identified drone launchpads along the LoC and IB can effectively degrade Pakistan's drone capabilities, establishing credible deterrence without causing excessive escalation. Our demonstrated capability and international backing for such targeted operations, such as the 2016 surgical strikes and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019, lend weight and legitimacy to this option.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">Furthermore, if Pakistan responds by restricting Indian airspace or civilian aviation operations, we should leverage Prime Minister Modi's established doctrine of robust reciprocity. Specifically, we must prepare to respond decisively by enforcing an operational shutdown of Lahore Airport, Pakistan's busiest aviation hub. Such a measured yet firm retaliation emphasises our nation's resolve and effectively communicates strategic boundaries to Islamabad's military leadership.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">While General Munir may desire temporary peace to consolidate Pakistan's strategic and economic stability, persistent operational insubordination among his field commanders introduces unpredictability into Indo-Pak relations. Our strategic calculus, therefore, requires decisive yet proportionate military actions backed by robust diplomatic initiatives to manage and mitigate this evolving threat landscape.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof"><em><b>Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh (Retd)</b>&nbsp;is currently Director&nbsp;General&nbsp;of&nbsp;Centre for Land Warfare&nbsp;Studies (CLAWS), an independent Think Tank of Indian Army on strategic studies and Security related issues.</em></div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof"><strong><em>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</em></strong></div>

Despite explicit ceasefire understandings reached at the DGMO level talks, rogue commanders in Pakistan's Army continue to violate these agreements by dispatching armed drones into Indian territory.

The recent wave of drone-based greyzone warfare launched from Pakistani soil has once again heightened tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). Despite explicit ceasefire understandings reached at the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level talks, rogue commanders in Pakistan's Army continue to violate these agreements by dispatching armed drones into Indian territory. Read More | India-Pak ceasefire | It took just 3 hours for Pakistan to breach an understanding: Can it be ever trusted? This greyzone threat has triggered significant disruptions in civilian aviation. Forward airports in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan have been put on high alert, and a series of flight cancellations has ensued. The Pakistani drone incursions—primarily using Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones capable of surveillance and lethal payload delivery- pose a serious challenge to our security architecture. However, these drone attacks are not merely a military provocation but reflect deep-seated fissures within Pakistan's military establishment. Credible intelligence indicates a widening schism between the Pakistani Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and disgruntled local commanders on the ground. Munir, despite his hawkish public stance towards us, appears strategically invested in maintaining a ceasefire arrangement, likely due to Pakistan's severe economic distress, international isolation, and ongoing internal insurgencies. Read More | Operation Sindoor: PM Modi highlights KEY strategic shift in India's approach to Pakistan: Know what they are The Pakistan Army's organisational structure highlights this internal discord's sheer gravity. The DGMO reports directly to General Munir, implying a strict vertical alignment of strategic decisions. DGMO-level meetings and resultant ceasefire agreements explicitly bear Munir's strategic imprint. Given that recent ceasefire negotiations occurred with his direct concurrence, it is evident that General Munir himself seeks to stabilise the Indo-Pak front, at least temporarily. Yet, this strategic clarity at the top does not resonate with frontline commanders. Reports of unauthorised drone launches illustrate an alarming degree of insubordination and operational autonomy among local commanders, reflecting internal dissatisfaction and possibly ideological differences within Pakistan's military ranks. This discord mirrors historical incidents, notably during the 1999 Kargil conflict and the 2019 Pulwama attack, where rogue Pakistani military actions precipitated severe diplomatic and military fallout for Islamabad. Read More | What are Kirana Hills, and why is the location in discussion after Operation Sindoor | WION Explains We now face a complex strategic challenge. To counter continued violations, calibrated military responses are imperative. Precise surgical strikes on identified drone launchpads along the LoC and IB can effectively degrade Pakistan's drone capabilities, establishing credible deterrence without causing excessive escalation. Our demonstrated capability and international backing for such targeted operations, such as the 2016 surgical strikes and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019, lend weight and legitimacy to this option. Furthermore, if Pakistan responds by restricting Indian airspace or civilian aviation operations, we should leverage Prime Minister Modi's established doctrine of robust reciprocity. Specifically, we must prepare to respond decisively by enforcing an operational shutdown of Lahore Airport, Pakistan's busiest aviation hub. Such a measured yet firm retaliation emphasises our nation's resolve and effectively communicates strategic boundaries to Islamabad's military leadership. While General Munir may desire temporary peace to consolidate Pakistan's strategic and economic stability, persistent operational insubordination among his field commanders introduces unpredictability into Indo-Pak relations. Our strategic calculus, therefore, requires decisive yet proportionate military actions backed by robust diplomatic initiatives to manage and mitigate this evolving threat landscape. Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh (Retd) is currently Director General of Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), an independent Think Tank of Indian Army on strategic studies and Security related issues. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Ceasefire undermined by Pakistan's rogue commanders: Strategic options for New Delhi

<p>Pakistan's military, historically considered the bedrock of the nation's political and social stability&mdash;exemplified by its swift mobilisation during national crises such as the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, relief operations following natural disasters, and its pivotal role in establishing national unity during internal turmoil&mdash;is currently navigating through one of its most profound crises. Like an athlete whose muscles have been dangerously torn by chronic misuse and overtraining, the Pakistani military is now deeply compromised by decades of overreach, internal fractures, and increasingly draconian methods against its own citizens.</p>
<p>Since its inception in 1947, the Pakistan Army has positioned itself as the guardian of the country's ideological and territorial integrity, notably through pivotal events such as the wars with India and its controversial role in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Yet, the army&rsquo;s frequent forays into governance&mdash;either through direct military coups led by Generals Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf or indirect influence over civilian politics&mdash;have gradually eroded public trust and diminished institutional credibility. Initially justified as necessary interventions to maintain national security and order, these incursions have transformed into chronic authoritarian control, alienating large sections of the populace and weakening the institution itself.</p>
<p>This erosion has notably accelerated in recent years, particularly following the turbulent tenure and ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The intense rivalry between Khan and Army Chief General Asim Munir has exacerbated existing institutional rifts, revealing unprecedented internal divisions within the Pakistani military. Khan, initially perceived as the military's chosen leader, fell out of favour over disagreements on economic governance, foreign policy, particularly relations with the United States, and attempts at civilian assertion over military appointments.&nbsp;</p>
<p>His controversial removal from office in April 2022 ignited widespread civil unrest and demonstrations, met with a heavy-handed response by security forces that drew international condemnation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International documented cases of enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detentions, especially targeting political activists, dissidents, and Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, painting the Pakistan Army as a draconian entity engaged in ruthless suppression of dissent.</p>
<p>Such harsh internal tactics have not only diminished public trust but have also significantly damaged morale within the military ranks. Historically known for their strict adherence to hierarchy and command, junior and mid-ranking officers have reportedly begun to voice dissatisfaction openly. Credible reports and leaked letters indicate rising frustration over senior leadership decisions, corruption, nepotism, and operational incompetence. The unprecedented court-martial of Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, former head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), split the anatomy of the severity of internal discord. His indictment on charges related to political interference highlights how deeply politicisation has permeated the military&rsquo;s highest echelons. Such unprecedented disciplinary actions have created uncertainty among officers, leading many to question their leaders' integrity and professionalism openly.</p>
<p>Externally, the military establishment now faces escalating criticism and open defiance from Pakistan's increasingly assertive civil society, fueled by digital activism and a vibrant social media landscape. Citizens, journalists, and human rights activists actively challenge traditional narratives promoted by the army, particularly its portrayal of India as the existential enemy.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This long-standing tactic, historically used by the military to justify outsized budgetary allocations, resource control, and political dominance, now faces widespread scepticism among the general population. The public is growing increasingly aware of how these narratives have been exploited to divert attention from internal corruption, misgovernance, and economic crises.</p>
<p>The 2024 general elections dramatically highlighted this shifting public sentiment. Despite significant interference by military-controlled institutions, attempts to ban PTI, suppression of media freedom, and intimidation of political activists, independent and PTI-aligned candidates garnered significant electoral support. This signified a powerful public repudiation of the military&rsquo;s political meddling.&nbsp;<br>Voters, especially the younger demographic, expressed their defiance against authoritarian tactics, demanding a return to civilian-led democracy and accountability for past military transgressions. International observers cited numerous irregularities and election-day abuses, further diminishing the army's standing both domestically and internationally.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the army's credibility as the protector of Pakistan's territorial sovereignty continues to be questioned amid a deteriorating security landscape. Insurgent groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have significantly intensified their insurgencies, executing bold attacks against military installations, personnel, and infrastructure in areas previously considered secure strongholds, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Notably, the deadly suicide bombing in Peshawar, frequent targeted attacks on army convoys in Balochistan, and audacious assaults on military checkpoints emphasise the strategic failures, operational inefficiencies, and declining troop morale. Human rights groups have extensively documented how the military&rsquo;s counterinsurgency tactics, involving forced disappearances, collective punishments, extrajudicial executions, and heavy-handed crackdowns, have exacerbated rather than contained rebellions.</p>
<p>Furthermore, strategic miscalculations by the military in Afghanistan&mdash;long-term backing for the Afghan Taliban&mdash;have spectacularly backfired. The Taliban&rsquo;s resurgence and control in Afghanistan have strengthened the resolve and operational capacity of extremist groups within Pakistan's own borders. Critics point to Pakistan's military leadership, particularly ISI&rsquo;s flawed approach of nurturing proxies, as fundamentally responsible for these security threats. Such policy missteps have undermined regional stability and compromised national security, further tarnishing the military's image as strategic thinkers.</p>
<p>The cumulative effect of these domestic and external crises has left Pakistan's military at a dangerous crossroads. Once lauded for discipline and cohesion, the army is increasingly perceived domestically and internationally as an oppressive, draconian institution employing violence and intimidation against its citizens to maintain power. On this Pakistan National Day, it is imperative that this stark reality not be ignored: The institution once heralded as the nation's saviour has become its oppressor.</p>
<p>For Pakistan to emerge from this period of deepening instability, urgent introspection and systemic reforms within the military are vital. The army must recommit to genuine professionalisation, strictly curtail its involvement in civilian governance, and hold accountable those responsible for abuses and misconduct. Transparent measures to regain public trust, credible investigations into human rights abuses, and a commitment to the democratic process are essential for restoring legitimacy and operational effectiveness.<br>Failure to address these entrenched issues decisively could plunge Pakistan into deeper instability, internal conflict, and prolonged authoritarianism. This National Day, Pakistan must reflect soberly on the state of its most powerful institution and the urgent reforms needed to prevent further national damage.</p>

Opinions & Blogs | Since its inception in 1947, the Pakistan Army has positioned itself as the guardian of the country's ideological and territorial integrity, notably through pivotal events such as the wars with India and its controversial role in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Pakistan's military, historically considered the bedrock of the nation's political and social stability—exemplified by its swift mobilisation during national crises such as the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971, relief operations following natural disasters, and its pivotal role in establishing national unity during internal turmoil—is currently navigating through one of its most profound crises. Like an athlete whose muscles have been dangerously torn by chronic misuse and overtraining, the Pakistani military is now deeply compromised by decades of overreach, internal fractures, and increasingly draconian methods against its own citizens. Since its inception in 1947, the Pakistan Army has positioned itself as the guardian of the country's ideological and territorial integrity, notably through pivotal events such as the wars with India and its controversial role in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Yet, the army’s frequent forays into governance—either through direct military coups led by Generals Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf or indirect influence over civilian politics—have gradually eroded public trust and diminished institutional credibility. Initially justified as necessary interventions to maintain national security and order, these incursions have transformed into chronic authoritarian control, alienating large sections of the populace and weakening the institution itself. This erosion has notably accelerated in recent years, particularly following the turbulent tenure and ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The intense rivalry between Khan and Army Chief General Asim Munir has exacerbated existing institutional rifts, revealing unprecedented internal divisions within the Pakistani military. Khan, initially perceived as the military's chosen leader, fell out of favour over disagreements on economic governance, foreign policy, particularly relations with the United States, and attempts at civilian assertion over military appointments. His controversial removal from office in April 2022 ignited widespread civil unrest and demonstrations, met with a heavy-handed response by security forces that drew international condemnation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International documented cases of enforced disappearances, torture, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detentions, especially targeting political activists, dissidents, and Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, painting the Pakistan Army as a draconian entity engaged in ruthless suppression of dissent. Such harsh internal tactics have not only diminished public trust but have also significantly damaged morale within the military ranks. Historically known for their strict adherence to hierarchy and command, junior and mid-ranking officers have reportedly begun to voice dissatisfaction openly. Credible reports and leaked letters indicate rising frustration over senior leadership decisions, corruption, nepotism, and operational incompetence. The unprecedented court-martial of Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, former head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), split the anatomy of the severity of internal discord. His indictment on charges related to political interference highlights how deeply politicisation has permeated the military’s highest echelons. Such unprecedented disciplinary actions have created uncertainty among officers, leading many to question their leaders' integrity and professionalism openly. Externally, the military establishment now faces escalating criticism and open defiance from Pakistan's increasingly assertive civil society, fueled by digital activism and a vibrant social media landscape. Citizens, journalists, and human rights activists actively challenge traditional narratives promoted by the army, particularly its portrayal of India as the existential enemy. This long-standing tactic, historically used by the military to justify outsized budgetary allocations, resource control, and political dominance, now faces widespread scepticism among the general population. The public is growing increasingly aware of how these narratives have been exploited to divert attention from internal corruption, misgovernance, and economic crises. The 2024 general elections dramatically highlighted this shifting public sentiment. Despite significant interference by military-controlled institutions, attempts to ban PTI, suppression of media freedom, and intimidation of political activists, independent and PTI-aligned candidates garnered significant electoral support. This signified a powerful public repudiation of the military’s political meddling. Voters, especially the younger demographic, expressed their defiance against authoritarian tactics, demanding a return to civilian-led democracy and accountability for past military transgressions. International observers cited numerous irregularities and election-day abuses, further diminishing the army's standing both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, the army's credibility as the protector of Pakistan's territorial sovereignty continues to be questioned amid a deteriorating security landscape. Insurgent groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have significantly intensified their insurgencies, executing bold attacks against military installations, personnel, and infrastructure in areas previously considered secure strongholds, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Notably, the deadly suicide bombing in Peshawar, frequent targeted attacks on army convoys in Balochistan, and audacious assaults on military checkpoints emphasise the strategic failures, operational inefficiencies, and declining troop morale. Human rights groups have extensively documented how the military’s counterinsurgency tactics, involving forced disappearances, collective punishments, extrajudicial executions, and heavy-handed crackdowns, have exacerbated rather than contained rebellions. Furthermore, strategic miscalculations by the military in Afghanistan—long-term backing for the Afghan Taliban—have spectacularly backfired. The Taliban’s resurgence and control in Afghanistan have strengthened the resolve and operational capacity of extremist groups within Pakistan's own borders. Critics point to Pakistan's military leadership, particularly ISI’s flawed approach of nurturing proxies, as fundamentally responsible for these security threats. Such policy missteps have undermined regional stability and compromised national security, further tarnishing the military's image as strategic thinkers. The cumulative effect of these domestic and external crises has left Pakistan's military at a dangerous crossroads. Once lauded for discipline and cohesion, the army is increasingly perceived domestically and internationally as an oppressive, draconian institution employing violence and intimidation against its citizens to maintain power. On this Pakistan National Day, it is imperative that this stark reality not be ignored: The institution once heralded as the nation's saviour has become its oppressor. For Pakistan to emerge from this period of deepening instability, urgent introspection and systemic reforms within the military are vital. The army must recommit to genuine professionalisation, strictly curtail its involvement in civilian governance, and hold accountable those responsible for abuses and misconduct. Transparent measures to regain public trust, credible investigations into human rights abuses, and a commitment to the democratic process are essential for restoring legitimacy and operational effectiveness. Failure to address these entrenched issues decisively could plunge Pakistan into deeper instability, internal conflict, and prolonged authoritarianism. This National Day, Pakistan must reflect soberly on the state of its most powerful institution and the urgent reforms needed to prevent further national damage.

Pakistan's Military in Crisis: Internal Discord and Draconian Rule

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Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh Retd

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