Pak Based Terror Attacks Under Sonia Gandhi vs Narendra Modi
Pakistan-Based Terror Attacks on Indian Civilians: UPA vs Modi Era — A Data-Backed Analysis
India has long suffered from terror attacks originating from Pakistan-based terrorist organizations. These attacks have particularly targeted innocent civilians, spreading fear and destabilizing the social fabric. Comparing the decade of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government (2004–2014) with the first decade of Narendra Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government (2014–2024) reveals a remarkable difference in both the number of terror attacks and the civilian deaths caused.
The UPA Era (2004–2014): High Frequency and High Civilian Casualties
The UPA government led by Dr. Manmohan Singh witnessed some of the deadliest Pakistan-backed terror attacks in Indian history. Terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Indian Mujahideen (IM), often with backing or support from Pakistan’s ISI, carried out numerous attacks targeting crowded civilian locations such as markets, trains, buses, and places of worship.
During this 10-year period, at least 25 major terror attacks with confirmed Pakistan backing targeted Indian civilians, resulting in the deaths of over 768 civilians. Some of the deadliest and most infamous attacks include:
- 26/11 Mumbai Attacks (2008): 166 civilians killed in coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, and multiple restaurants.
- 2006 Mumbai Train Bombings: 209 civilians killed by serial bomb blasts on local trains during peak hours.
- Delhi Bombings (2005): Over 60 civilians killed in serial blasts.
- Jaipur Serial Blasts (2008): Around 63 civilians killed.
- Ahmedabad Blasts (2008): 56 civilians killed.
- Hyderabad Twin Blasts (2007): Over 40 civilians killed.
Other attacks in cities like Varanasi, Hyderabad, and Delhi resulted in dozens more deaths, contributing to a grim total of at least 768 civilian fatalities during the UPA era. These attacks exposed gaps in intelligence, security preparedness, and response mechanisms of the Indian government at the time.
Modi Era (2014–2024): Significant Reduction in Civilian Deaths
Since Narendra Modi assumed office in May 2014, the Indian government adopted a more proactive and assertive stance on national security. Military actions such as the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes marked a shift from reactive to preventive counter-terrorism measures. Intelligence sharing improved, and internal security agencies gained greater autonomy.
From 2014 to 2024, there have been 9 major Pakistan-based terror attacks targeting civilians. Importantly, the civilian death toll in these attacks has dropped drastically to 63—a reduction of more than 90% compared to the previous decade.
Key civilian terror attacks during Modi’s tenure include:
- Gurdaspur Attack (2015): 7 civilians killed.
- Pathankot Attack (2016): 1 civilian killed.
- Anantnag Attack (2019): 5 civilians killed.
- Targeted Killings in Kashmir (2021–2023): Approximately 24 civilians killed in Pakistan-backed terror attacks.
- Reasi Bus Attack (2024): 10 civilians killed.
- Pahalgam Attack (April 22, 2025): 26 civilians, mostly tourists, killed in a coordinated terror strike. (Though this attack falls slightly outside the 2024 cutoff, it reflects ongoing threats.)
Other attacks during this period involved smaller-scale bombings and shootings, but none matched the scale or death toll of many UPA-era attacks.
Tabular Summary
| Period | Number of Terror Attacks (Pakistan-backed) | Civilian Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| UPA (2004–2014) | 25+ | 768+ |
| Modi (2014–2024) | 9 | 63 |
Reasons for the Decline in Civilian Casualties Under Modi
The dramatic drop in civilian deaths is not coincidental. It reflects changes in India’s counter-terrorism approach:
- Proactive Military Actions: The 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrikes directly targeted terror camps across the border, disrupting terror infrastructure.
- Enhanced Intelligence: Improved intelligence sharing and operations have led to early detection and neutralization of terror plots before execution.
- Stronger Security Measures: Border fencing, better surveillance, and technological upgrades at vulnerable points have made infiltration more difficult.
- Political Will and Coordination: Unlike earlier eras, there has been greater political consensus on strong responses to terrorism.
- International Diplomacy: India has successfully highlighted Pakistan’s role in terrorism at international forums, increasing pressure on Pakistan to curb terror groups.
Why Civilian Lives Matter
Terrorism’s primary goal is to disrupt normal life and sow fear among ordinary citizens. The number of civilian casualties is thus a key indicator of success or failure in counter-terrorism policy.
The UPA decade saw devastating civilian losses, with repeated attacks on crowded civilian venues. The Modi government’s record shows that while threats continue, India has reduced the toll on civilians dramatically.
Conclusion
Comparing the UPA (2004–2014) and Modi (2014–2024) eras shows a stark contrast in the impact of Pakistan-based terrorism on Indian civilians. The UPA era saw at least 25 major terror attacks killing over 768 civilians, while the Modi era witnessed just 9 such attacks with 63 civilian deaths.
This significant reduction highlights the effectiveness of Modi’s security policies and military strategies, although the persistent threat is underscored by the recent 2025 Pahalgam attack.
While vigilance must remain high, the data confirms that Indian civilians have been considerably safer from Pakistan-backed terror during the Modi era compared to the preceding decade.
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