The use of non-state actors and cyberspace by states to subdue their adversaries during or, more importantly, in the absence of a direct armed confrontation has given it significant value and influence in recent years. Dr. Frank Hoffman used the term “Hybrid Warfare” for the first time in his publication in 2007. Hybrid warfare is a theory of military strategy, a blend of conventional and non-conventional means of war. It can be defined as a type of warfare that is neither purely conventional nor irregular.
Psychological Warfare
Psychological Warfare (PsyWar) is a component of non-conventional warfare. A course project submitted to Stanford University defines PsyWar,
“Psychological warfare is the systematic process of influencing the will and so directing the actions of people in enemy and enemy-occupied territories according to the needs of higher strategy.”
PsyWar has five basic components, which include propaganda, disinformation, intimidation, deception, and, in the worst cases, torture. It comprises the use of cyber, military, information, economic, and intelligence components of political warfare like violence, economic pressure, subversion, and diplomacy.
PsyWar is the first activity in a conflict. It is conducted to sow the seed of distrust and for perception building. The perception building is at the disposal of the player as to how a scenario should be constructed. It can be carried out for one’s own interest, like the US did before the invasion of Iraq. The result of all wars is the attainment of strategic objectives.
Indian PsyWar against Pakistan
The research indicates that New Delhi is not interested in kinetic means of engagement with Pakistan. The grand strategy of India against Pakistan involves the 3D hybrid warfare strategy (damage, demoralize, and decline). The internal problems of Pakistan, like ethnic and religious extremism, a decaying economy, a sectarian divide, poor governance, weak institutions, and political instability, serve as the basis of exploitation for India. The campaigns of disinformation and propaganda, in addition to diplomatic lobbying, caused the emergence of Baloch separatist organizations like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). Politicalizing international institutions like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to conduct economic subversion, training separatist militias, and increasing the funding to terrorist organizations like BLA, TTP, etc. are different focused discourses of India.
Baloch Ethnic Exploitation
Recently, Baluchistan has been the center of attention for India. Due to a lack of good and strong governance, the Balochi people have been deprived of the basic human necessities. This problem was efficiently recognized by India. New Delhi started funding the insurgent groups while promoting the narrative that the federal government of Pakistan doesn’t care about the Baloch people and deliberately makes the Baloch people strive.
However, the ex-chief of BLA gave a statement that these insurgencies serve as a proxy for India. Their main objective is to destabilize the ongoing economic backbone project of Pakistan, the CPEC. The Chinese officials working on the CPEC were threatened, and the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan was given life threats. This portrays a very negative image of Pakistan internationally. It also had some serious repercussions on the diplomatic ties of Pakistan and China.
Sectarianism via Terrorism
Pakistan provided the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with a dossier in November 2020 that encompassed proof of Indian funding to conduct terrorist attacks in Pakistan. In December 2022, Pakistan presented another dossier to UNSC, which contained verifiable proof of Indian financial and material support for several terrorist organizations working in Pakistan.
TTP has always been linked with sectarian tensions in Pakistan. It has been involved in attacks against religious minorities and sects whom they perceive as deviating from their interpretation of Islam. As a prominent religious minority in Pakistan, Shia Muslims have been the prominent target of these attacks. The sectarian objective of the TTP seeks to exploit religious divisions and generate animosity among various Islamic sects. They aim to sow discord, flare up racial tension, and harm Pakistani society by committing violent acts against religious groups.
India is aggressively focused on sabotaging the strong foundations of Pakistan by exploitation of its internal dynamics. It is using propaganda warfare, economic warfare, psychological warfare, political warfare, proxy warfare, and information warfare to achieve its 3D Hybrid Warfare Strategy. India, having superiority over Pakistan in every sphere, is conducting hostile activities between the lines. The prime target for India is the armed forces of Pakistan and its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). India is inclined towards supporting political instability, economic slowdown, and international defamation that will push Pakistan into global isolation.
The author, Saad Burney, is a student of Strategic studies at the National Defence University, Islamabad, with an impeccable record of debating over international politics.
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