In a recent revelation, former CIA operative John Kiriakou shared that in 2002, the US intelligence community was concerned about a potential conflict between India and Pakistan following the Parliament attack in December 2001 and subsequent tensions during Operation Parakram.
Kiriakou, who oversaw CIA counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan post-9/11, disclosed in an interview with ANI that the US took the threat seriously enough to evacuate American families from Islamabad. He recalled a scenario where the Deputy Secretary of State shuttled between Delhi and Islamabad to mediate a de-escalation agreement.
During that period, the US focus was predominantly on Al-Qaeda and Afghanistan, leading to India’s apprehensions being somewhat overlooked. Kiriakou acknowledged this oversight, admitting that India was not a significant priority amidst the Al-Qaeda concerns.
Reflecting on later events such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Kiriakou affirmed that US intelligence correctly identified Pakistan-backed Kashmiri militant groups as the perpetrators. He emphasized Pakistan’s involvement in sponsoring terrorism in India and criticized the lack of international action against such activities.
Kiriakou highlighted India’s restrained responses to provocations, citing instances like surgical strikes in 2016, Balakot airstrikes in 2019, and Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror incident earlier this year. He cautioned Pakistan against a conventional war with India, emphasizing India’s military superiority and decisive stance against terrorism.
Regarding Pakistan’s intelligence system, Kiriakou described it as fractured, mentioning the existence of two distinct factions within the ISI. He recounted a raid in Lahore in 2002 that exposed ties between the Pakistani government and Al-Qaeda, underscoring the complexities of the US-Pakistan relationship.
John Kiriakou, a former CIA veteran with extensive experience in counterterrorism operations, made headlines in 2007 for publicly disclosing the CIA’s use of torture techniques on detainees. Despite facing imprisonment, Kiriakou stands by his actions, asserting that he has no regrets.
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