The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 tourists dead in Jammu and Kashmir, has reignited debate over the true architects of violence in the region. While Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and their handlers in the ISI are directly implicated, a closer look at the geopolitical context suggests the attack could easily fit into a broader Chinese strategy, with Pakistan acting as Beijing’s proxy.
Pakistan’s Proxy Status and Diminished Autonomy
Pakistan’s economic and military decline has made it increasingly dependent on China. Its conventional military capacity is severely limited, and it relies on asymmetric tactics-such as supporting terror groups-to exert influence in Kashmir. The attackers in Pahalgam received elite military training in Pakistan, specifically from the Special Service Group, highlighting the continued involvement of Pakistan’s state apparatus in orchestrating such attacks [https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/terrorists-involved-in-pahalgam-attack-had-military-training-in-pakistan-sources-8332883][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack].
However, Pakistan’s ability to act independently is questionable. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), worth over $60 billion, has entrenched China’s economic and strategic interests in Pakistan, making Islamabad heavily reliant on Beijing for financial and diplomatic support. Over 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports now come from China, including advanced drones and missile systems [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIrr6oHPqjA].
China’s Calculated Use of Proxy Warfare
China’s support for Pakistan is not just economic-it is strategic. Beijing uses Pakistan as a tool to keep India off-balance and embroiled in regional security challenges, thereby slowing India’s rise as a global power. Intelligence reports and open-source analysis suggest:
- The Pahalgam attackers used encrypted communication tools and apps developed in China, showing technological collusion between Chinese and Pakistani actors [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIrr6oHPqjA].
- China has repeatedly shielded Pakistan-based terror groups at international forums, blocking UN sanctions on groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and providing diplomatic cover for Pakistan after attacks such as Pahalgam [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIrr6oHPqjA][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwqXO5ZB9Eo].
- Chinese state media and diplomats have parroted Pakistan’s narrative, calling for “independent probes” and downplaying Indian evidence of cross-border terrorism [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwqXO5ZB9Eo].
China’s interests in the region are not limited to keeping India distracted. The CPEC runs through Gilgit-Baltistan, a region claimed by India, making stability and control in Kashmir strategically vital for China’s Belt and Road Initiative [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIrr6oHPqjA].
Historical Context and Escalation
The use of proxy warfare in Kashmir is not new. Pakistan has long used militant groups to wage a covert war against India, a strategy that has intensified as its conventional military options have dwindled [https://scholarshare.temple.edu/bitstreams/64818a59-36d2-470a-8352-64e3f44003fd/download][https://www.efsas.org/publications/study-papers/proxy-war-in-jammu-and-kashmir/]. What is new is the scale of Chinese involvement-providing not just weapons and technology, but also diplomatic and economic lifelines that allow Pakistan to continue its proxy war.
Recent attacks, including the Pahalgam massacre, have been linked to LeT operatives with direct ties to Pakistan’s military, such as Hashim Musa, a former para-commando in Pakistan’s Special Service Group [https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/terrorists-involved-in-pahalgam-attack-had-military-training-in-pakistan-sources-8332883]. Investigations have traced digital evidence and logistical support back to safe houses in Pakistan, with indications of ISI coordination [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack].
The Pahalgam attack is a stark reminder of how Pakistan, increasingly a client state of China, serves Beijing’s interests by keeping India mired in regional conflict. China’s strategy is clear: empower Pakistan’s proxy warfare capabilities, provide diplomatic and technological support, and ensure India remains preoccupied with security threats in Kashmir. As Pakistan’s economic crisis deepens, its role as a proxy for Chinese strategic ambitions in South Asia is likely to grow, making future attacks of this nature not just possible, but probable.
