In the volatile South Asian region, peace hangs precariously between two nuclear-armed neighbors, India’s state-sponsored terrorism continues to undermine regional stability. The recent revelations about the Indian government’s nexus with terrorist groups operating inside Pakistan raise urgent questions for the international community.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has not only sought to portray Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism but has itself been actively complicit in backing terrorist organizations like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch insurgent groups including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Baloch Republican Army (BRA), and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF).
Weaponizing Media: India’s State Sponsored Terrorism
This alarming reality is further reinforced by the role of Indian media outlets, particularly the iTV Network; a media conglomerate owned by Rajya Sabha member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kartikeya Sharma and closely tied to PM Modi’s political vision that disseminates terrorist propaganda under the guise of journalism.
India has relentlessly accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists and destabilizing the region. The global narrative pushed by Modi’s government and amplified by Indian media often paints Pakistan as the sole source of terrorism. Yet, mounting evidence reveals a different, more sinister picture.
India’s Covert Sponsorship of Terror Groups
Groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); a United States-sanctioned terrorist organization and various Baloch separatist militias such as the BLA, BRA, and BLF have long been associated with Pakistan’s internal security challenges, including attacks on civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
What India fails to acknowledge publicly, however, is its active support and sponsorship of these groups. Intelligence and open-source investigations show that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and military agencies have covertly provided financial aid, training, and logistical support to these terror groups to destabilize Pakistan internally and sabotage its strategic projects.
Also See: The Balochistan Unrest: Who Pulls the Strings Behind the Chaos?
The Pahalgam Attack and the iTV-Terror Nexus
The April 2025 Pahalgam attack, where 26 tourists were killed, became a flashpoint in escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Indian media, especially The Sunday Guardian; a publication under iTV Network published multiple articles by Ehsan Ullah Ehsan (the former spokesperson of TTP and a US-sanctioned terrorist) openly blaming Pakistan’s state agencies for the attack and warning of further destabilization attempts.
Such blatant propaganda, authored by a known terrorist, highlights the disturbing collaboration between Indian media outlets and terrorist elements. The repeated use of Ehsan’s narratives to justify India’s subsequent aerial and missile strikes on Pakistan exposes the manipulation of public opinion through terror-aligned sources.
Media, Modi, and Militarism: A Symbiotic Strategy
Moreover, iTV Network’s close association with Modi’s government, demonstrated by meetings between Prime Minister Modi, Kartikeya Sharma, and editorial figures like Abhinandan Mishra, underscores a systematic effort to weaponize media against Pakistan.
This disinformation campaign is designed to both demonize Pakistan internationally and justify India’s aggressive military posture.
Beyond the TTP, India has been implicated in backing Baloch insurgent groups whose violent campaigns have targeted civilians, infrastructure, and economic lifelines in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. These groups have repeatedly claimed responsibility for attacks aimed at disrupting CPEC, a flagship project pivotal to Pakistan’s economic future and regional connectivity.
While India condemns Pakistan’s alleged support for militant groups in Kashmir, its parallel sponsorship of Baloch militants reveals a hypocritical and dangerous double standard. This policy directly undermines Pakistan’s sovereignty and fuels internal conflict, risking a wider destabilization of the region.
The iTV Network: From Journalism to Psychological Warfare
The iTV Network, comprising outlets like The Sunday Guardian, NewsX and others has become a critical instrument in Modi’s propaganda arsenal. Owned by BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Kartikeya Sharma, the network openly aligns itself with PM Modi’s “Viksit Bharat” vision, blending state policy with media narratives.
By giving a platform to terrorists like Ehsan Ullah Ehsan and amplifying conspiracy theories such as the fabricated threats against New Zealand’s cricket team during their scheduled Pakistan tour in 2021; iTV Network fuels fear, mistrust, and hostility towards Pakistan. These actions not only violate journalistic ethics but also serve as covert tools of information warfare, exacerbating tensions and undermining peace efforts.
India’s strategic use of terrorism sponsorship, coupled with propaganda dissemination through media houses like iTV Network, threatens regional stability at a critical juncture. The risk is compounded by nuclear arms on both sides, with escalations having catastrophic consequences not only for South Asia but globally.
India’s State Sponsored Terrorism – What the International Community Must Do
The international community must recognize India’s role in fueling insurgency and destabilization within Pakistan. Furthermore, global media watchdogs and counterterrorism bodies need to scrutinize the nexus between Indian state-linked media and terrorist actors openly. The complicity of elected representatives in these efforts demands diplomatic accountability.
India’s attempts to brand Pakistan as a terrorism sponsor, while actively supporting terrorist groups within Pakistan, reveal a dangerous policy of duplicity and state-sponsored violence. This approach not only jeopardizes peace but also undermines international laws against terrorism and sovereignty.
The Modi government and its media affiliates, such as the iTV Network, must be held accountable for their role in fomenting violence and disinformation. The international community should urge India to cease support for terrorism, respect Pakistan’s sovereignty, and engage in genuine dialogue to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.
India must be condemned for these covert and overt acts that destabilize an already fragile region only transparency, accountability and adherence to international law can prevent a wider catastrophe.
The opinions expressed in this piece are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily represent the editorial stance or institutional position of the Hindukush Tribune Network.
