Withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan may increase PAK's terrorist activity again in Kashmir, fears expressed
On the instructions of US President Joe Biden, the work of withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan by September has started. Half of its soldiers have so far returned from the war-torn country. Its impact on Kashmir has been feared.
Staff Editor 
Withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan is likely to increase terrorist activities in the Kashmir Valley. Bill Rogio, Senior Fellow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and editor of FDD's Long War Journal, has said that Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Kashmir is likely to increase after US troops leave Afghanistan, CNS News reported. Rogio has said that Pakistan has learned that sponsoring terrorism works as a part of its foreign policy and that the Taliban's victory encourages jihadist groups.
Observers watching the matter fear that the conflict in Kashmir could worsen as the US withdrew from the 20-year war in Afghanistan. There was an attack in Kashmir in the early hours of Sunday. At least nine people were injured in a grenade attack by a terrorist targeting Indian security forces.
India has blamed Pakistan for the prolonged conflict between the two countries, accusing its neighbor of giving free rein to terrorists. Tensions between the two countries rose to a renewed level in August 2019 when the Indian government withdrew the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The move angered Pakistan, which sees Kashmir as the most important issue in its emerging foreign policy file.
India says it is dedicated to fighting terrorism, which gained momentum in the late 1980s. Analysts have long claimed that terrorist groups operate with the support or sanction of Pakistan, reports CNS News. Pakistan has been accused of supporting terrorist activities.
On the instructions of US President Joe Biden, the work of withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan by September has started. Half of its soldiers have so far returned from the war-torn country.
Not ending my presence there: Blinken
US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said the US was only withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, not ending its presence in the country, and was committed to maintaining a strong diplomatic presence there to provide economic and humanitarian aid.
