India’s War Against Terrorism: Aftershock in Nepal
Dr. Dipesh KC: Nepal has faced several challenges of terrorism in the past and the present. The circumstances show that it has to face further challenges in future as well. The geo-politics of Nepal is not only the causes for its challenges of terrorism but its identity as the country of Hindus majority also compel to face terrorist attacks and challenges at abroad as well.
In 22 April 2025, 26 civilians were killed by terrorist in Pahalgam attack including 27 years old Nepalese youth SudipNeupane at Jammu Kashmir India. According to Neupane’s family, he was asked about his religion and shoot to death. He identified himself as a Nepali citizen but the terrorist killed him because of his Hindu identity. The case is up roared not only in India but also in Nepal. The involvement of two Pakistani nationals in the terrorist attack forced Nepalese political parties and non-governmental organizations voiced against the role of Pakistan in the incident. Nepali Congress and Madhesh-based parties openly condemned the attack.
India carried out four day long ‘Operation Sindur’, a military action, against Pakistan- based terrorist from 7-10 May till the ceasefire. The world reacted the situation. Nepal showed its side against the terrorism. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly mentioned that Nepal stands together with all in the fight against terrorism. Nepal recalled that it had immediate and unequivocally condemned the barbaric terrorist attack in Puhalgam. It has not clearly mentioned the support of Indian attack in Pakistani land. However, the essence of the Press Release of Ministry of Foreign Affairs is for Indian step against Pakistan-based terrorists mentioning Nepal and India stood up in solidarity, united in shared grief and sufferings.
Nepal Congress supported the India’s military action against terrorism. Dr. Prakash Saran Mahat, Central Committee member of Nepali Congress, clearly said that his party is against the terrorism and any action against terrorism. Shankar Bhandari, Nepali Congress leader and supporter of Hindu Rastra (Hindu Nation), openly supported India’s military action against Pakistan-based terrorists.
NCP-Socialist leader as well as Member of Parliament Prem Ale supported India’s action against terrorism. He said the reiterate is essential and Pakistan has to control the terrorism. However, the party has not formally react on the India’s latest action against terrorism.
Madhesh-based parties condemned the terrorism. However, it urged that terrorism has no religion, caste and nationality. It has urged on dialogue, diplomatic means and mutual partnership for the solution of the present crisis.
Several groups protested outside the Pakistani Embassy in Nepal after the Phalgam incident. A team of Hindu Rastra Jagaran Aviyan reached Pakistani Embassy and handed over a letter to the official urging not to protect the terrorism in Pakistani land.
Nepal is the victim of terrorism from the past to present. Nepali youth Sudip Neupane was also killed in Puhalgham attack despite he disclosed his nationality. The terrorist shot him because of his Hindu identity.
Nepalese nationals living abroad are also victims of terrorism as they are killed due to their Hindu identity. Ten Nepali students were killed in Israel after the Hamas attack in 2023. They were students of agriculture and in their education internship in Israel. Among the 17 students, Bipin Joshi, is in Hamas captivity. Times of Israel posted a news quoting the Israeli official that no signs of life have been received from the three hostages including Joshi since the period shortly after the war against Hamas.
In August 2004, terrorist group Ansar Al-Sunna kidnapped and brutally killed 12 Nepali migrant workers in Iraq. They were killed due to their Non-Muslim identity.
Indian Airlines was hijacked on 24 December 1999 by fife members of Pakistan-based terrorist group from Kathmandu. The hijack of the plane end to the negotiations of release of terrorists-Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh and MushtaqZargat in Indian prison. India has felt extreme thereat of terrorist groups after the incident that Nepal has also bear big challenges.
The Pulgham attack has link to the Indian airlines plane hijack from Kathmandu in 1999. Masood Azhar, the release terrorist by Indian Government in the negotiation of plane hijack is the suspected mastermind in the Pulgham attack. Indian air strike targeted the Jaish-e-Mohamaed leader Azhar and his close assistants. The Pakistan born leader of terrorist organization is vocal against India and Hindus. He is not only targeting India but also Hindu community.
The past history and present incidents shows that Nepali nationalities are not safe in the place where terrorists groups are targeting Hindus. The Kashmir incident also shows that Nepalese are target of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisations. After the Indian strike against Pakistan-based terrorists, the meeting of Security Council of Nepal decided several steps to cope with the upcoming challenges. The statement issued after the meeting mentioned that the current situation and recent developments between India and Pakistan were reviewed in relation to the likely security challenges and impacts on Nepal. After the meeting, Nepal Government has closely monitored the foreigners, especially South Asian. The Rohingyas illegal migrants are pushed back to Kathmandu from Kavre, neighbouring district of Kathmandu Valley. The border points are tighten and closely monitored. Security force of Nepal adopted the strict and special surveillance in border points and airports. Border Security Force of Nepal, Armed Police Force, Nepal has been kept on high alert along the border. It has released the statement saying high alert to prevent possible illegal cross-border infiltration through the Nepal-India border. Nepal has also clearly mentioned its principled position, it shall not allow any inimical forces to use its soil against its neighbouring countries, India and China.
The visit of Pakistani military delegation to Kathmandu in the tense situation between India and Pakistan was questioned by the parliament members. Nepali Congress MP NP Saud and independent candidate Amresh Singh raised the issue in the parliament. However, the Pakistani embassy in Kathmandu organised the party of military alumni where two former army chiefs and military alumni completed course in Pakistan attended the function.
The Government of Nepal formally supported India’s action against terrorism. However, there are different reaction after India strike Pakistan-based terrorists. Nepali Congress is the only main political party openly supported the Indian step. Leaders of Prime Minister KP Oli led CPN-UML and opposition leader Pushpa Kaman Dahal aka Prachanda-led Maoist showed different stands in the Indo-Pak tensions. Madhesh-based parties and leaders supported the Indian action against terrorism. There are different voices in communist parties and leaders that several of them condemned Indian strike on Pakistan.
Nepal was alert after the Indo-Pak tension tightening security in the border areas. It has addressed the Indian concern of security issues during the sensitive period. It will take time to normalize the situation. The growing activities of radical organisations in the Southern part of Nepal is the concern of India. After the latest tension with Pakistan, India may show its big concern in this issue. The opinions and stands of the different political powers, leaders and activists of the country has been also exposed in this regards. Further, this will lead concerns of big power. As a consequence, Nepal has to face several geopolitical challenges in future which may affect the domestic politics of the country. [email protected]; https://x.com/dipesh_kc