Pakistan’s Nuclear Adviser Accuses India of Backing Terror Groups

Retired Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil, a senior adviser to Pakistan’s National Command Authority, has accused India of supporting militant organisations and attempting to destabilise Pakistan. Speaking at a workshop on nuclear deterrence and strategic stability in South Asia, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London on October 13, Jamil alleged that India supported groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). He also referred to what he described as the “Ajit Doval doctrine”, claiming that India’s national security strategy was aimed at creating instability in Pakistan. These allegations were made by Jamil during his address and should be understood as claims, rather than independently established facts.

Jamil also questioned India’s nuclear doctrine and alleged that India used nuclear-capable BrahMos missiles during Operation Sindoor, arguing that such capabilities could increase the risk of escalation in South Asia. However, this claim about BrahMos is disputed: BrahMos Aerospace describes the missile as carrying a conventional warhead, and India Today reported that it is not part of India’s Strategic Forces Command. Jamil further argued that Operation Sindoor brought the region close to a nuclear crisis and criticised India’s declared “No First Use” policy, describing it as a diplomatic tactic. He warned that differences in nuclear doctrines, submarine-launched ballistic missile capabilities and maritime patrol activities could increase the risk of miscalculation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.