Abstract
Narco-terrorism has emerged as a potent and covert instrument in Pakistan’s proxy war strategy against India, particularly since the late 1980s. This article critically examines how Pakistan’s state and non-state actors have exploited illicit drug smuggling to finance terrorism, destabilise the Indian society, and erode internal security especially in strategically sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Punjab. The study investigates the security challenges of India and role of Narco-terrorism as a weapon to fuel unrest, fund terrorism, and undermine India’s socio-political fabric. It further explores the strategic intent behind Pakistan’s facilitation of drug smuggling through its territory and its implications for regional security. Despite efforts of the Indian Security Forces, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Intelligence and Law Enforcement Agencies, the drug menace is far from being neutralised. Various challenges encountered by these agencies have also been brought out in the article. The article concludes by proposing a multipronged policy framework, combining stricter enforcement, intelligence coordination, and regional cooperation to effectively counter the Narco-terrorism threat within the broader context of Pakistan’s proxy war strategy.
Keywords: Narco-terrorism, Terrorism, Illicit Drug Trafficking, Proxy War, Non-Traditional, Security
