A high-ranking Nepalese official has issued a serious warning regarding national and regional security. Sunil Bahadur Thapa, principal advisor to the President of Nepal and a former Industry Minister, has confirmed that Pakistan-based terror outfits may exploit Nepal’s geography to launch attacks against India.
Speaking at a high-level seminar on “Challenges to Regional Peace and Security” held in Kathmandu, Mr. Thapa echoed the long-standing concerns of Indian intelligence and security agencies. He noted that groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)—both of which are sanctioned by the United Nations—continue to pose a significant threat to regional stability.
Terror Groups with Global Ties
Mr. Thapa also highlighted the international links of these organizations. “These Pakistan-based groups maintain ties with Al-Qaeda and other global jihadist networks,” he said. According to him, these alliances make them more lethal and capable of cross-border operations.
“The concern is not just theoretical anymore,” Mr. Thapa added. “Given Nepal’s open border with India, rugged terrain, and relatively low surveillance in remote areas, there is a very real possibility that our territory could be used as a transit corridor for operations aimed at destabilizing India.”
Indian Agencies Long Worried About Nepal Route
This statement validates intelligence assessments by Indian agencies, which have previously raised alarms about terrorists attempting to exploit the porous Indo-Nepal border to infiltrate Indian territory. Several incidents in recent years—including arrests of LeT operatives in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh with links to Nepal—have lent credibility to these fears.
Call for Joint Regional Cooperation
Thapa’s remarks have sparked a renewed push for stronger bilateral security coordination between India and Nepal. He stressed the importance of shared intelligence, border security enhancements, and counter-terrorism training, emphasizing that regional peace depends on collective vigilance.
Experts believe his public confirmation could open the door for multilateral discussions involving Nepal, India, and other South Asian neighbors under platforms like SAARC and the BIMSTEC security forum.
Conclusion
Sunil Bahadur Thapa’s warning serves as a timely reminder that the threat of cross-border terrorism remains real in South Asia. As UN-listed terrorist groups like LeT and JeM continue to adapt their strategies, using softer routes such as Nepal may become a key part of their operational playbook.
With this public acknowledgment from a senior Nepalese figure, the onus is now on both Kathmandu and New Delhi to deepen cooperation and prevent any misuse of Nepali territory for violent purposes.