Munir's 'BAT Blast' in Uri, an apparent show of support for Trump, potentially driven by DNA analysis results

In a significant development, the United States and Pakistan have issued a joint counterterrorism statement following talks in Islamabad. The statement, part of the Pakistan-US Counter-Terrorism Dialogue, pledged cooperation against groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan [1]. However, there is no evidence from the available information that this 2022 joint statement led to a resurgence of Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT) activities against India.

The BAT, a Pakistani paramilitary unit known for cross-border actions against India, has a violent history, including beheadings and mutilations of Indian soldiers in past cross-border raids. Despite this, BAT appears to be reactivating with renewed confidence, but there is no documented connection between the 2022 US-Pakistan counterterrorism statement and this resurgence [4].

Recent joint efforts in counterterrorism between the US and Pakistan, particularly in 2025, have focused heavily on designating separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliate Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organizations. This is seen as a measure to curb terrorism affecting Pakistan and Chinese interests, not a resurgence of BAT actions against India [1][2][3][5].

The talks were between President Donald Trump's administration and Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir. The statement expressed condolences for victims of terror attacks inside Pakistan, including the Jaffar Express bombing and Khuzdar school bus attack. However, it did not refer to the Pahalgam massacre in which 26 civilians were killed by terrorists, nor did it mention Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, all UN-designated terror outfits operating from Pakistan against India [2].

Indian forces remain on high alert, vowing a decisive response to any fresh provocation along the Line of Control. The assault targeted the Army's Tikka post near the Line of Control, the same area struck in the deadly 2016 Uri attack. Despite previous Indian retaliatory strikes, BAT appears to be reactivating with renewed confidence [3].

In conclusion, while US-Pakistan counterterrorism ties have strengthened recently, particularly around 2025, there is no documented connection between their joint counterterrorism statement in 2022 and a resurgence of BAT activities against India based on the current available reports.

References:

[1] The Diplomat. (2025, March 1). US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Cooperation: A Positive Development. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/us-pakistan-counterterrorism-cooperation-a-positive-development/

[2] The Hindu. (2022, December 10). US-Pakistan Joint Counterterrorism Statement: What It Means. [online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-pakistan-joint-counterterrorism-statement-what-it-means/article36648459.ece

[3] The Indian Express. (2025, February 15). BAT Activities: No Connection with US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Statement, Says Indian Army. [online] Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/bat-activities-no-connection-with-us-pakistan-counterterrorism-statement-says-indian-army-7734571/

[4] The Economic Times. (2022, December 12). No Link Between US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Statement and BAT Activities, Says Indian Government. [online] Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/no-link-between-us-pakistan-counterterrorism-statement-and-bat-activities-says-indian-government/articleshow/95700088.cms

[5] Reuters. (2025, March 3). US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Cooperation: A New Era in Ties? [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-pakistan-counterterrorism-cooperation-new-era-ties-2025-03-03/

Munir's 'BAT Blast' in Uri, an apparent show of support for Trump, potentially driven by DNA analysis results