Ever since India had abrogated Articles 370 and 35-A on 5 February 2019, the Pakistani establishment had lost its golden goose. To revitalize the Kashmir issue, Pakistan had since indulged in several futile theatrics. In the recent attempt to internationalize its Kashmir cause, Pakistan invited Hamas leaders into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir [POK]. This move not only violates the Shimla agreement mandating no 3rd party intervention but also threatens Indian sovereignty and security. This comes when the Middle East is already volatile due to the Israel-Palestine conflict, exhibiting Pakistan’s nefarious intent. Such a move reeks of Pakistan’s desperation to flare up tensions at the border and in Indian Kashmir. Consequently, it’s imperative for India to analyze the situation and take appropriate measures. In this piece, we’ll decipher the symbolics behind this move and its implications for India.
Also Read: Israel-Palestine Conflict: The Indian Perspective
KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY: FLOGGING THE DEAD HORSE
Pakistan orchestrates Kashmir Solidarity Day as yet another gimmick to cope with its frustration following the abrogation of Article 370. It observes the day annually on February 5th to express support for the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination. Pakistan treats it as a national holiday, with government offices, schools, and businesses closed. However, it’s just a smokescreen to hide the domestic failures of the government, used more for domestic political messaging and optics than actual impact. This event is organized by Pakistan’s Kashmir Committee, headed by Maulana Fazalur Rehman. Pakistan uses this day to call for international attention to the Kashmir conflict by peddling disinformation. The day also observes rallies from several Pakistani terrorist outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiyeba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
This year, on 5 February 2025, Pakistan organized a conference titled “Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood.” The objective of this conference was to equate Kashmir and Palestine as a cause for pan-Islamic jihad, calling the Ummah to unite against India and Israel. This conference was attended by Hamas spokespeople Dr. Khalid Qaddoumi and Dr. Naji Zaheer, along with Hamas leaders Mufti Azam and Bilal Alsallat as guests of honor. This conference further cements Pakistan’s status as a “safe haven for terrorists”, exposing Pakistan’s link to global terrorist networks. With this conference, Pakistan attempted to exploit global sentiments and channelize them to target India, showcasing Kashmir as an Islamic issue. Hamas’s presence in POK also indicates its intention to side with Pakistan on Kashmir, promoting the idea of global Islamic solidarity against perceived oppression.
MAKING SENSE OF HAMAS PRESENCE IN POK
Hamas is a Sunni terrorist outfit backed by Iran as a part of the axis of resistance against Israel. Traditionally focused on opposing Israel, the group’s ideological alignment with Islamist militancy creates natural connections with other radical entities. While it does not have a direct territorial interest in South Asia, Pakistan’s support for pan-Islamist causes provides a fertile ground for interaction between Hamas and local jihadi groups. Hamas sharing a platform with Pakistani terrorist outfits manifests ideological synergy between two otherwise distinct groups. Hamas-linked propaganda in PoK, especially in religious seminaries and public rallies, strengthens radicalization efforts among youth. This could deepen the local jihadi recruitment in the name of Ummah and the pan-Islamic cause. However, this comes at a time when Pakistan is facing immense resistance from local Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir against oppression and exploitation.
By peddling religious fervor, Pakistan seeks to quell local Kashmiri protests and divert attention from Pakistan’s human rights violations in PoK. Furthermore, Hamas has combat experience in asymmetric warfare against a conventional military. Tactical and logistical cooperation between Hamas and groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) or Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operating in PoK, possibly leading to the import of new techniques in terror operations across the Line of Control (LoC). This further substantiates the fact that Indian intelligence is reporting around 80-100 foreign terrorists assembled on the launch pads in Jammu and Kashmir to create mayhem in India this summer. Hamas’s presence helps Pakistan to hit two birds with one stone. Firstly, it internationalizes the Kashmir issue, despite it being a bilateral dispute under the Shimla Agreement. Secondly, it increases interoperability, providing local outfits intel and experience from Hamas to carry out 7 October-styled attacks against India in the future.
BREWING PAKISTAN-HAMAS SYNERGY: IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA
• Increased Cross-Border Threats: Any cooperation between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror outfits could lead to more sophisticated cross-border infiltration, attacks, or coordinated campaigns inside Jammu and Kashmir. This can be seen in light of a recent infiltration bid carried out by Pakistan on the LoC in J&K’s Poonch, foiled by the Indian army.
• Globalization of the Kashmir Conflict: Involving foreign militant groups like Hamas in the Kashmir discourse undermines India’s position that it is a domestic issue. It further violates the Shimla Agreement signed between India and Pakistan, mandating both nations to resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally. It also fuels international jihadist narratives that could make Kashmir a new battleground for global terror networks.
• Diplomatic Manoeuvring: India could leverage Hamas’s presence in PoK diplomatically, showcasing Pakistan’s role in harboring international terror groups. However, it also risks drawing more international scrutiny if Pakistan effectively blurs the lines between Palestinian resistance and Kashmiri militancy. Furthermore, India needs to ensure it does not let Pakistan mix the Palestine and Kashmir issues to make Kashmir a pan-Islamic issue instead of a regional issue.
CONCLUSION
The reported engagement of Hamas in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is not merely symbolic—it signals a dangerous convergence of ideologies and militant strategies. For India, it reinforces the need to stay vigilant along the LoC, strengthen counter-radicalization programs in Kashmir, and diplomatically expose Pakistan’s use of its territory as a haven for global jihadist actors. The infiltration of a foreign terrorist narrative into Kashmir adds a new dimension to the region’s instability, with long-term consequences for South Asian security.
