Indo-Pak Relations Took A Hit in 2016

Thursday, 14 March 2019

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Peace still non-negotiable

Thursday, 14 March 2019 | Jai Kumar Verma

    

India must continue isolating Pakistan so that it cannot wriggle out from the clutches of FATF. We must force a change in its policy of assisting terrorist outfits

In a significant speech early this year, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan talked about inculcating peace and enhancing trade with India. He also claimed that if India took one step forward, Pakistan would take two. However, in the same speech he mentioned that peace would be feasible only after the Kashmir issue was solved. This linking of the Kashmir issue with peace talks has exposed his double standards. And like Kargil after former Prime Minister Vajpayee’s visit and Pathankot after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Pakistan-trained terrorists carried out an attack at Pulwama and hurled a powerful grenade at a Jammu bus stand on March 7. Again, on February 24 to be precise, he requested his counterpart Modi to “give peace a chance” and proclaimed that he would take immediate action if India provided “actionable intelligence” on the Pulwama attack of February 14 in which 40 Indian soldiers were martyred. Islamabad also approached the United Nations to “defuse tension” between India and Pakistan.

India handed over a dossier with evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the terrorist act in Pulwama. Islamabad took some token action against terrorist outfits it hosted to neutralise world opinion and on March 8, Khan reiterated that no terror group would be permitted to carry out activities in other countries from Pakistan. Nonetheless, Islamabad is not trustworthy as in the past it has launched several cleansing operations with fancy names like Operation Al-Mizan, Rah-e-Haq, Sher-e-Dil, Zalzala, Koh-e-Sufaid and at present Operation Zarb-e-Azbwith no discernible dip in terrorism. In fact, it has allowed blacklisted terror groups to scatter, lie low, regroup and re-emerge with new identities. The Pakistani military establishment, which endorses such groups as they lend it a strategic heft, has even categorised them as “good” and “bad” terrorists. So outfits which carry out terrorist attacks in India and Afghanistan under the instructions of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are considered “good” terrorists and given full protection and assistance. Action is taken only against those terrorist outfits that disobey the ISI, have no use for it or have dared to carry out attacks in Pakistan.

Observers claim that such clampdowns are superficial and taken because of utmost pressure from the international community and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which monitors terror funding and disqualifies errant countries from receiving recuperative aid and loans from world bodies. Pakistan is passing through a grave economic crisis; its foreign reserve is at its lowest ebb and it has requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package. The FATF has given Pakistan more than 15 conditions to comply with, including smashing the jihadi factory, by May or else risk getting blacklisted. In that case, neither the IMF or World Bank can sanction a bailout package.

The Pakistani Army-controlled ISI has created a big infrastructure to support diverse terrorist outfits and carry out proxy wars in India and Afghanistan as they are an important part of Islamabad’s foreign policy. Hence it will be imprudent to assume that Pakistan will shun the path of terrorism so easily.

A strong lobby in India emphasises that both India and Pakistan should try to sort out differences through peaceful negotiations. The activists also mention that war is not a solution. However, they forget that Pakistan was created on the basis of the failed two-nation theory and both the countries have already fought three major wars, excluding an undeclared war at Kargil. Besides these wars, there are numerous skirmishes and limited military conflicts between both the countries. These hostilities have created a lot of suspicion and animosity in the ruling elite as well as in people. Pakistan doesn’t believe in giving up the fight, bleeding India with several cuts rather than striking a mammoth blow.

In the past, several attempts were made for restoring peace, especially at the Shimla, Agra and Lahore summits. Few confidence-building measures like border trade, the Delhi-Lahore Bus service and Friendship Express (Samjhauta Express) were also tried but all efforts miserably failed as ISI-sponsored terrorism continued unabashedly. India has always yielded ground,  having  already surrendered vast areas of Kashmir in 1947-48 and returning the  Haji Pir Pass in 1966. The Indus Water Treaty of 1960 is disproportionately in favour of Pakistan. Delhi had given more such concessions in the past but Islamabad never reciprocated or mitigated its hostility. It always took our kindness as our weakness; hence, we must understand that there can be no friendship with Pakistan.

The terrorist organisations, besides ISI, also have a strong public support in Pakistan, claiming legitimacy through social and charitable institutions. Ousted President Pervez Musharraf mentioned in an interview that the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) tried to assassinate him twice but he could not take action against it as the ISI was using the organisation for anti-India activities. In his recent remarks, he even implied that the Pakistani Army was fully seized of the Pulwama attack. If the Jaish can attempt an assassination of the ruling President, who in turn could not take punitive action despite full knowledge of the plot, then it speaks volumes about the ISI’s stranglehold on the region as a whole.

The pacifists also point out that geographically Pakistan is a neighbour and as its location cannot be altered, India should try to inculcate friendship. However, they overlook that Islamabad is diabolically against India and wants to split the country by abetting terrorist outfits in Kashmir and assisting secessionist elements of Khalistan.

India must respond to Pakistan with firmness and determination and should not become a victim of its bullying and blackmailing strategies. Worse, it uses conventions and agreements to suit its own narrative. So while Khan does not talk about the Shimla Agreement, he talks about the defunct UN resolution. Pakistan has conveniently forgotten the Shimla Agreement as it clearly mentions that both sides would not use force on the LoC while Pakistan has been regularly infiltrating terrorists and using fire power there.

Pakistan has already surrendered some areas of Kashmir to Beijing for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that passes through Gilgit, Baltistan and PoK. Given China’s territorial imperialism, this has added a complex layer to the imbroglio. Peaceniks also allege that India does not treat Pakistan equally. However, the contention doesn’t hold as India has signed several agreements with Pakistan as equals. It has never interfered in the internal affairs of its neighbours through covert ops while Pakistan is constantly needling India.

The pro-dialogue lobby must comprehend that Pakistan has an obsession with claiming parity with India without realising differences in size, governance and other markers. When India signed a nuclear deal with US, Pakistan also tried its best to sign the treaty. Islamabad, without considering past records, raised objections to India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). It is also obstructing India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council. There are several other fields where Islamabad is trying to maintain uniformity with India. Pakistan watchers claim that the country’s economic condition has deteriorated because of excessive expenditure on defence forces.

The all-powerful Pakistan Army has over time given false hope to the masses that funding covert operations was worth it as they would help it snatch the whole of Kashmir from India and merge it with Pakistan. Hence there can be no negotiations with Pakistan on Kashmir. Khan’s offer of peace talks are simply to curry favour with the FATF, IMF and world community. Second,  Indian security forces have killed top terrorist leaders under Operation All Out and successfully eliminated a large number of their support agents under Operation Cordon and Search. The infiltration of Pakistani hardcore terrorists is under control due to strict vigil at the borders. At present ISI wants to have peace for some time so that the terrorist outfits can be strengthened.

The arguments for enhancing people to people contacts, trade and cultural exchange have been already tried  with no result. Now India must adopt a stern approach towards its western neighbour and after the pre-emptive, non-military airstrikes at Balakot, be  ready to take retributive action should another terrorist hit happen on our side.  India should continue isolating Pakistan so that it cannot wriggle out from the clutches of FATF without making considerable changes in its policy of assisting terrorist outfits.

(The writer is member, United Services Institute of India, and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses)

AAKROSH

ASIAN JOURNAL ON TERRORISM AND INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS

January 2019      Volume 21       number 78

Impact of surgical strikes on

Pakistan: Kashmiri secessionist movement

About 200 valiant Indian army personnel entered POK on September 29, 2016 and smashed seven launching pads and killed more than 40 terrorists, guides and Pakistan army personnel. The Indian army made it clear that the attack was not against Pakistan army but hostile to terrorists and that too after having confirmed information that terrorists were waiting on launching pads for infiltration. The surgical strike boosted the morale of Indian army as well as of the nation as for the first time India took revenge of numerous terrorist activities carried out by Pakistan sponsored terrorists. The surgical strike also exposed the rift between civilian government and the army as civilian government accepted the surgical strike but army refused it outright as it knew that it cannot take revenge for it. Pakistan army tried several times to snatch Kashmir from India but failed. ISI had created quite a few terrorist outfits to carryout terrorist activities in J&K. L-e-T on behest of ISI has eradicated Sufi culture and obligated Non-Muslims to vacate the valley. The present government has chalked out a comprehensive policy to solve Kashmir problem. On one hand government is exterminating hardcore terrorists and preventing the infiltration of new terrorists and also trying to curb the financial assistance to separatists, on the other hand it also appointed an interlocutor so that the problem can be sorted out harmoniously.

The valiant Indian army entered in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) on September 29, 2016 and smashed seven launching pads, killed more than 40 terrorists including guides and their trainers who were Pakistan army personnel both serving and retired. The surgical strikes were conducted by more than 200 Indian army personnel who penetrated POK on the basis of confirmed intelligence that large numbers of terrorists were waiting at the launching pads to infiltrate in India. The surgical strikes came as a big surprise to Pakistan authorities who were not expecting that Indian troops will cross the borders. In past Pakistani terrorists attacked Indian parliament, exploded bombs in India’s commercial capital Mumbai, carried out terrorist activities in holy city of Varanasi but after all these terrorist activities Indian political leaders made grandiloquent statements and threatened for dire consequences but no worthwhile action was taken. Hence sinister Inter Services intelligence (ISI) could not imagine that Indian troops would cross the border. Therefore when Indian troops attacked the launching pads the terrorists as well as their trainers could not react and were killed like sitting ducks. Indian troops returned without losing any personnel. (Sl. No. 1 & 2)

India conducted the surgical strike in self defence as there was definite information that Pakistani terrorists along with their handling officers and guides assembled at launching pads and were ready for infiltration. The terrorists were accompanied by Pakistan army personnel, which indicated the connivance of Pakistan government. In the past Delhi requested Islamabad to stop infiltration of terrorists but the latter took no action hence entering of Indian troops in POK and extermination of the terrorists was in self defence.  (Sl No.2)

Indian surgical strikes were against the terrorists and not hostile towards Pakistani security organisations and the attack was not on any Pakistan defence personnel but on the launching pads from where terrorists were ready to infiltrate. It is a different issue that Pakistan army personnel were killed as they were with terrorists. Extermination of terrorists in launching pads was a better option than killing them once they enter India and carryout terrorist activities.

In the surgical strike beside terrorists and their trainers Indian army also exterminated few guides. In fact guides play a vital role in crossing the borders. Guides are generally the residents of border villages and have full idea of the topography of the area. They wear the dress of the area and speak same dialect. Guides are also aware the places where they can take shelter in day time and can hide in case of emergency. In reality infiltration is not possible without suitable guides.

The surgical strike which was first of its kind boosted not only the morale of armed forces but of the whole nation. By the surgical strikes, India avenged numerous Pakistan sponsored terrorist attacks on Indian army installations and on civilian locations.

The terrorist attack carried out by four heavily armed Pakistani terrorists on 18 September, 2016 on Indian Army Camp in Uri was the game changer. This attack was carried out by terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M). In the attack about 19 innocent soldiers were killed and more than 30 were injured, few of them were grievously hurt.

After the attack, the then Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh told that the attackers were foreigners and they belonged to J-e-M. He also said that the same terrorist outfit also carried out terrorist attack on Indian Air Force station at Pathankot on 2 January, 2017. He further mentioned that the terrorists who were killed at Pathankot and Uri were carrying made in Pakistan items. He also assured the nation that these terrorist attacks will be avenged. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh also gave similar assurances. Analysts feel that ISI-controlled J-e-M terrorists attacked Air Force Station and Army base to show their strength so that the secessionist groups feel that terrorists are so dominant in the area that they can dare to attack army and air force bases. The hardcore, well trained terrorists were equipped with AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, Grenade Operation Systems, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and top of it, inflammable ammunition. The terrorists were assisted by support agents or Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who carried the reconnaissance, informed them that Uri was a transit camp and several military personnel live in tents. According to reports few army men died because of burning also. (Sl. No.3)

Lt. General Ranbir Singh, DGMO, again held a joint press conference with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 29 September and stated that ‘the Army has conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads on the LoC and significant casualties have been caused. The motive of this operation was to hit out at the terrorists who were planning to infiltrate into our territory’. It was further clarified that the surgical strike was not against Pakistani army but was against the terrorists who were ready to infiltrate India with the intention of carrying out terrorist activities.

The analysts claim that it was a nicely planned operation in which Defence Minister Parrikar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag were directly involved while Air Force was kept on alert.  Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar briefed envoys of 25 countries including P-5+1 countries, about the necessity of surgical strike as the Pakistan trained terrorists were sitting near the borders to infiltrate India. The operation was in self defence and was a counter terrorism operation.  (Sl. No.3)

Rajnath Singh briefed leaders of important political parties about the necessity and repercussions of the surgical strike in presence of top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. 

A surgical strike is a swift and targeted military attack on legitimate military target and no or minimal collateral damage to surrounding structures, vehicles, buildings or the general public infrastructure and utilities. Neutralization of targets with surgical strikes also prevents escalation to a full blown war. Surgical strike attacks can be carried out via air strike, airdropping special ops teams or a swift ground operation or by sending special troops. In 1981 Israel bombed Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak is a perfect example of surgical strike. Israel commando operation of 1976 at Entebbe in Uganda in which Israeli passengers were freed from a hijacked plane is another example of surgical strike. The United States also carried out several surgical strikes against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan using cruise missiles. US also used same technology against a purported chemical weapons facility in Sudan. (Sl. No.4)

Reaction of Pakistan

The surgical strike exposed the unending rivalry between all powerful Pakistani army and the civilian government. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif knowing full well that Pakistan army cannot retaliate Indian surgical strike immediately issued a statement condemning the surgical strike and termed it as “naked aggression” while Pakistan army flatly refused about any surgical strike and denied that Indian army personnel entered POK. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman simply accepted that it was cross border firing in which two soldiers were killed and nine others were injured. Pakistan Foreign Office summoned Indian Ambassador in Islamabad Gautam Bambawale and lodged strong protest for ceasefire violations on line of Control. Pakistan army also mentioned that it gave befitting reply. (Sl. No.5)

However Pakistani civilian government took the matter quite seriously and Nawaz Sharif talked to General Sharif on phone and cabinet meeting was also convened which evaluated the situation. National Security Advisor Nasser Janjua also submitted a detailed report. Khawaja Asif Defence Minister of Pakistan under pressure from Army refuted Indian claim of surgical strike. (Sl. No.5).

Pakistan had limited options to retaliate surgical strike as it cannot make surgical strike in India because India is not infiltrating terrorists hence there are no launching pads or terrorist training camps in the country. The reprehensible ISI already constituted Border Action Team (BAT), with the sole purpose of abducting, slaughtering and mutilating the bodies of Indian Patrol Teams so that they control India-Pakistan borders.  In past BAT which consists of personnel of Special Services Group (SSG) as well as terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba (L-e-T) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M) entered Indian territory and kidnapped one or two Indian soldiers and disfigured their dead bodies. (Sl. No. 2& 6).

In response to surgical strikes, Pakistan opted for heavy artillery fire on the borders to satisfy semi literate fanatic Pakistanis that the army which claims itself to be the saviour of the country has punished India for the bogus claim of surgical strike. It also enhanced infiltration and instructed its lackeys to organise more demonstrations, strikes and shutdowns to show their strength.

The surgical strike had visible impact on Pakistan authorities, they always considered that India being a peaceful country will always remain defensive and will not take any offensive action however the surgical strike has broken this myth and according to reports ISI told the leaders of various terrorist outfits especially Harakatul Mujahideen, L-e-T and J-e-M to remain cautious about their security as India may plan to exterminate leaders of various terrorist outfits. (Sl. No.7)

Analysts claim that Pakistan had to deny about surgical strike as no state including Pakistan can accept existence of terrorists in their country and their infiltration in other nation. Indian security agencies have downplayed the surgical strike by mentioning that the attack was against the terrorists and by saying this, gave a face saving opportunity to Pakistan army. 

Pakistan always thought albeit erroneously that it can snatch Kashmir from India by force. Pakistani army and tribesmen did joint operations in 1947 and in 1965 with the intention to capture and amalgamate Kashmir in Pakistan. But gallant Indian Army defeated them both the times and Kashmiri masses informed Indian army about the aggression and helped Indian army in repulsing Pakistanis from J&K. (Sl.No.8).

Again in 1999 Pakistan attacked Kargil and Drass areas and captured few Indian posts. The then General Pervez Musharraf planned the strategy and accordingly terrorists and regular Pakistan army personnel entered into Kargil area however the local shepherds informed Indian administration and Indian army recaptured all the posts on July 26, 1999 under “Operation Vijay”. 

But when Indian forces started evicting Pakistan army and Indian Air Force planned to attack targets in Pakistan, Islamabad requested US to intervene but President Bill Clinton categorically mentioned that US will interfere only when Pakistan troops vacate all the captured posts. In the beginning Pakistan mentioned that there was no role of Pakistani army in Kargil conflict and it was the handiwork of Kashmiri masses but soon the myth was exposed as several dead intruders were carrying Pakistani identity cards and Pakistan also awarded medals to Pakistani army men who participated in invasion of Kargil and Drass areas. Islamabad mentioned that terrorists of various outfits including Tehrik-e-Jihad, Harkatul Mujahideen, Al-Badr, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkat-e-Jihad etc. were responsible for the Kargil attack while most of the independent observers mention that terrorists cannot plan and execute the operation at such a high altitude without active participation of Pakistan army.   (Sl. No.9 &10)

Besides these wars, in 1971 there was another India Pakistan war in which Pakistan army committed inhuman atrocities on the residents of East Pakistan. The residents of East Pakistan revolted against West Pakistan and millions of Bengali Muslims took refuge in India which culminated in war between India and Pakistan. In the war Pakistan Army was conclusively defeated and more than 90000 Pakistani soldiers were imprisoned and East Pakistan became independent country with the name of Bangladesh.   

Unfortunately Pakistan could not reconcile with the dismemberment of the country and instead of amending its ways it blamed India for the creation of Bangladesh and waged a low intensity war against India. The military controlled ISI assisted secessionist groups operating in India. It also created Khalistan movement in Punjab province of India. ISI supplied arms and ammunition and rendered financial assistance to Sikh terrorist outfits in India and abroad. As the movement had no mass support it died its own death and now Sikh secessionists are not in India, either they are in Pakistan or abroad.

There are reports that Pakistan also imparted training, finances, arms and ammunitions to Left Wing Extremists as well as secessionist elements of North East.

Terrorist outfits abetted by Pakistan to carryout terrorist activities in India especially in Kashmir.

The creepy ISI chalked out a comprehensive plan to disturb peace and tranquility of bordering state of Jammu & Kashmir. It created several terrorist outfits in Pakistan as well as in J&K to carryout terrorist activities in the state as well as to assist the secessionist elements. Besides terrorist outfits ISI also successfully cultivated large number of so called human right activists who create excessive noise against security forces for human right violations but remain silent when terrorists kill innocent citizens or when Hindus, Sikhs and Christians had to abandon their homes in Kashmir because of killings and threats by terrorists.

The ISI has created a big network of paid lackeys who reach at the encounter site on the instructions of ISI officers and obstruct the security forces from exterminating the terrorists. These demonstrators include men, women and even children. According to interrogation reports secessionists pay money to these demonstrators who shout anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans and throw stones on security forces. ISI sends instructions through WhatsApp groups and the membership of these groups exceeds 5000 persons. They also try to obstruct security forces in Cordon and Search Operations(C&SO) under which they are exterminating not only the terrorists but their support agents too.  ( Sl. No.11).

Pakistan supported secessionists have changed character of Kashmir struggle. Kashmir was the land of Sufi saints and followed Sufi tradition associated with religious harmony. The original Rishis include Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali popularly known as Nund Rishi and the Rishi order has made an important contribution to Kashmiriyat, the ethnic, national, social and cultural consciousness of Kashmiris. Both Hindus and Muslims revered Sufi saints alike.  However the present secessionists first evicted all non-Muslims especially Kashmiri Pandits from the valley and now they claim that as Kashmir is Muslim majority state it must be amalgamated in Pakistan. ( Sl. No.12).

The South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) which is the largest website on terrorism and low intensity warfare in South Asia mentioned that there are about 18 inactive terrorist outfits including Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Army, Al Jehad Force (combines Muslim Janbaz Force and Kashmir Jehad Force), Tehrik-e-Jehad-e-Islami, etc.

Besides inactive groups there are about eleven terrorist organisations which were proscribed by the government however few of them are exceedingly active. These outfits include Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA, presently known as Harkat-ul Mujahideen), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Harkat-ul Mujahideen (HuM, previously known as Harkat-ul-Ansar) Al Badr, Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JUM), Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami(HuJI), Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM). Besides these outfits there are about six more extremist organisations which are active in the valley.  These organisations include Lashkar-e-Omar (LeO), Lashkar-e-Jabbar (LeJ), Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen, Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Mutahida Jehad Council(MJC). ( Sl. No.13).

The South Asia Terrorism Portal also mentions that besides these groups there are about fourteen domestic terrorist outfits and about 32 Trans-national organisations working in Pakistan. There are also four extremist trusts which collect funds and finance the diverse terrorist outfits. Mostly the domestic terrorist organisations carryout terrorist activities within country but several times ISI and terrorist outfits use them against India and Afghanistan. ( Sl. No.14).

Lashkar-e-Toiba (L-e-T)

Lashkar-e-Toiba (L-e-T) which has its headquarters at Muridke near India-Pakistan borders is the most powerful terrorist organisation. L-e-T on behest of ISI, targeted, killed, threatened and evicted non-Muslims from Kashmir. In fact L-e-T is responsible for killing Sufi culture in J&K and it also carried out murders, bomb blasts and terrorist activities in India especially in J&K. The L-e-T terrorists attacked Parliament in December 2001 and carried out bomb blasts and rail derailments at several places. The outfit which professes to establish Islamic rule in whole of India is proscribed in several countries including India, USA and UNO. Hafiz Saeed is a co-founder of L-e-T states that Islam must be spread all over the world through Jihad and India, Israel and USA are the main adversaries. L-e-T which does not believe in democracy is based on Wahabi ideology. The organisation runs about 16 Islamic seminaries, more than 130 secondary schools, hospitals, ambulance services, blood banks etc. It also operates its website, publishes few monthly and weekly journals. Saeed’s son Talha is in charge of L-e-T office at Muzaffarabad. 

L-e-T runs several terrorist camps where training is imparted to citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan but besides them terrorists from Sudan, Bahrain, Central Asia, Turkey, Libya and few misguided youths from India also receive training in use of arms & ammunition, discourses on Islam, collection of intelligence and carrying of terrorist activities. The terrorists are imparted generally two months weapon training including automatic rifles, grenades, LMGs, pistols, rocket launchers etc. There are different training programmes for terrorists namely Daura-e-Aam & Daura-e-Khas. L-e-T also imparts special training to suicide bombers which come from highly motivated group called Jaan-e-Fidai.

L-e-T has close links with other terrorist organisations active in India and several times terrorists of two or more terrorist outfits carry terrorist activities jointly.

It gets maximum financial assistance from Saudi Arabia and other countries of Middle East. However ISI is the main financier, providers of logistics, trainers and weapons to L-e-T. ( Sl. No.14).

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in a joint statement issued at BRICS summit in Xiamen mentioned the names of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed with other terrorist outfits guilty of committing or organizing terrorist activities. It was a big setback for Pakistan as China is not only a close friend but also supported Pakistan in past on terrorism. Again the Foreign Ministers of India, China and Russia (RIC) met at New Delhi in December. In the meeting Sushma Swaraj castigated terrorist organisations including Taliban, ISIS, al Qaeda, and L-e-T which are directly involved in terrorism. The joint communiqué mentioned about the implementation of international law and of curbing the terrorism.  (Sl. No.15 & 16).

Jamaat-Ud-Dawah (JUD)

When Pakistan banned L-e-T due to international pressure, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed founded another organisation with the name of Jama'at-ud-Da'wah in 2002. When JUD was banned then another organisation namely Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Qibla Awal was constituted. JUD carried out several terrorist activities in India.

In August 2017 Saeed formed a new political party namely Milli Muslim League (MML) and declared that it will contest the general elections scheduled to be held in 2018. MML has applied for the registration as political party however Pakistan election commissioner has refused to register MML as a political party but analysts feel that refusal of registration by election commissioner is only to show to foreign countries that election commissioner is an independent authority. Nevertheless in reality no civilian authority including election commissioner can defy all powerful ISI. It is also learnt that diplomats of few countries raised their concern about the recognition of a terrorist outfit as a political party.

Sheikh Yaqoob, who was defeated by Begum Kulsoom in the by-election of a parliamentary seat, stated that MML will contest elections from all the seats and his party will win large number of seats. He mentioned that common people want to take strong actions against Pakistan’s enemy like India, Israel and USA. The analysts feel that radicalisation has increased considerably in Pakistan hence the chances that few candidates of MML are elected cannot be ruled out and if the party comes in power then it will also control nuclear warheads which will be very dangerous not only for India and Afghanistan but for the whole world.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M)

Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M) is a Deobandi terrorist organisation which was founded by Maulana Masood Azhar in 1998 at Bahawalpur. The outfit which is involved in numerous terrorist incidents in India especially in J&K is working to detach J&K from India and amalgamate it in Pakistan. It also claims that after annexation of J&K all non-Muslims will be exterminated and Islamic law would be imposed in the subcontinent including India.  

Several countries of the world including Australia, Canada, UAE, UK, US, UN and India declared J-e-M a terrorist outfit. The joint declaration of BRICS also named J-e-M as a terrorist organisation. Pakistan also banned the outfit in 2002 because of mounting international pressure but the ban is only on paper and J-e-M continues to function. The outfit has close links with Afghan Taliban, Al Qaeda, Islamic State and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HM).

Pakistan watchers claim that J-e-M was created by ISI with sole aim of carrying out terrorist activities in India especially in J&K. The outfit was responsible for attack on Pathankot Airbase in January 2016 and did a joint operation with L-e-T in Indian Army base at Uri.

J-e-M suicide bomber carried out first terrorist activity in April 2000 in an Indian army base in which five Indian soldiers were martyred. In October 2001 J-e-M attacked near J&K legislative assembly in which 38 persons were killed and in the same year in December attacked Indian Parliament along with L-e-T terrorists. In 2002 when Pakistan government banned J-e-M it changed its name to Khuddam ul-Islam and again in 2003 it changed to Al-Rehmat Trust. The outfit also runs terrorist training centers and few Madrassas. (Sl. No.17)

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC)

In 1993 on behest of ISI 26 political parties, social groups and religious organisations constituted APHC so that all of them can fight jointly against Indian government. There are reports that Pakistan finance APHC leaders who organise demonstrations, strikes and shutdowns in the valley. ISI also pay to stone-pelters and demonstrators through APHC. The stone-pelters receive Rs.5000 to 7000 per month while the organizers of stone pelters are given extra money.

There were splits in APHC because of clash of personal interests. It issues calendars of strikes and shutdowns after consulting ISI. The APHC demonstrates itself as the solitary representative of people of Kashmir while in reality APHC does not have much following and local masses accuse it and its leasers as anti-national as they are working not for the interest of Kashmir but for Pakistan.

APHC leaders know the reality that they do not have much following in the state hence do not contest elections under one pretext or the other. APHC under instructions of their mentors criticise and condemn Indian security forces in India and abroad including Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) where it got observer’s status because of Pakistan. APHC criticizes security forces for human right violations but does not raise voice when terrorists attack and kill personnel of security forces.

India’s Kashmir policy

Pakistan has created several terrorist organisations with different nomenclature however taxonomy is not important as extremists change their loyalty and several times terrorists of two or more groups’ carryout terrorist activities together and sometimes ISI selects terrorists of more than one group and train them together to carry out terrorist activities.

Besides above mentioned groups ISI also created few more terrorist outfits namely Brigade 313, Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and Indian Mujahedeen (IM) just to name few. ISI try to recruit more disenchanted Indian Muslims as terrorists because once they are caught or killed, minions of ISI claim that Muslims are dissatisfied in the country hence they are joining terrorist organisations.  The terrorist activities shake the investors’ confidence which hampers the economic progress of the nation. India has to spend very large amount on security of the country because of perpetual threat from Pakistan.

India tolerated Pakistan sponsored terrorist activities from last several years but not formulated any comprehensive policy to contain the menace however it appears that the present government is moving very systematically to eradicate Pakistan sponsored terrorism and bring permanent peace in the valley. The security forces have launched successful Cordon & Search Operations (C&SO) in J&K. In the C&SO, Army, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu & Kashmir police are participating. The local police have the best intelligence about the terrorists’ hideouts, while CRPF has numerical strength and with local police they control the stone-pelters who gather at the site of operation with devious intention to disturb the operation so that terrorists can escape. Once the mob is under control Army and RR effectively exterminate terrorists and recover large amount of arms & ammunition. The support agents who have given shelter to these terrorists in their houses are also exposed. As the support agents are exposed, arrested or eliminated local Kashmiri are afraid of giving shelter to the terrorists. It has desired results, now terrorists are afraid of taking shelter in the houses of OGWs and try to hide in forests where it is easy to encounter them as there will not be demonstrators, stone-pelters and children to defend them.

According to South Asia Terrorism Portal, in 2015, 41 security personnel were martyred while 113 terrorists were exterminated. In 2016, 88 security personnel and 165 terrorists were killed. However up to 10 December 2017 the death of security forces persons reduced to 78 while killing of terrorists increased to 211. Security forces exterminated about 599 terrorists from 2014 to December 10, 2017. The list of eliminated terrorists includes several commanders and regional heads of terrorist outfits like J-e-M, L-e-T and Hizbul Mujahideen. In this way the number of terrorists is dwindling very fast and secessionists are worried that Kashmir would be peaceful soon. As the number of diehard terrorists is decreasing the influence of secessionists is also mitigating in the valley. (Sl. No.18)

The surveillance on India-Pakistan border is considerably increased. The strength of security forces is enhanced and they are equipped with more modern electronic gadgets. According to reports infiltrators are killed at the borders regularly. Secondly now because of advent of winters and heavy snowfall it is difficult to enter terrorists from J&K area. Nonetheless ISI would try to infiltrate terrorists through Punjab, Nepal and even Bangladesh. Hence security forces on these borders should also be more vigilant.

The terror of terrorists in the local population is also diminishing as they see that security forces chase them and if they do not surrender, exterminate them. As the fear of terrorists is minimizing the local Kashmiri who are fed up with shutdowns, strikes and closures are also supplying information to security forces about their whereabouts. The OGWs are very helpful to terrorists as most of the terrorists are Pakistanis and not aware of topography of the area while OGWs being local people reconnaissance the target, collect the information, give shelter and food to terrorists. Hence if security forces effectively dissuade OGWs, Pakistani terrorists cannot operate in the valley.

Financial assistance is the backbone of any terrorist movement and Kashmir movement is financed by Pakistan. ISI finance the secessionists through dishonest Indian businessmen who generate money through over invoicing and under invoicing of the items imported or exported to Pakistan. Present government has tightened the grip and arrested few corrupt businessmen and few are under investigation. Intelligence agencies even suggested that border trade should be stopped.

ISI was also financing secessionists through smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). Demonetisation has curbed it but there are recent reports that now ISI has successfully counterfeited Rs.2000/ note and smuggling them to India through Bangladesh. The present Bangladesh government has cordial relations with India hence government would control it. India should also try to curb smuggling of drugs as ISI generates huge amount of money through smuggling of drugs to India and utilises it in fomenting terrorist activities in Kashmir.

The government has appointed Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor when large numbers of hardcore terrorists were eliminated and infiltration of Pakistani terrorists became difficult. The financiers and Hawala operators are either arrested or under investigation and OGWs are afraid to co-operate terrorists and the local support is diminishing. It indicates that the present government wants to solve Kashmir problem amicably hence Sharma former Chief of Intelligence Bureau who dealt Kashmir for numerous years was given full powers to negotiate with all concerned. Sharma will talk to secessionists with position of strength and during negotiations hunting of terrorists would not stop and C&SO would also continue. Both Home Minister and Chief of Army Staff made it clear that during negotiations anti-terrorist operations would continue hence terrorists and separatists cannot use negotiations period in recouping themselves.

Sharma made few visits to J&K but in the beginning response was lukewarm and Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik refused to negotiate and issued hard hitting statement against policies of government and also mentioned that it is fruitless to negotiate with the interlocutor. The secessionists also mentioned that in past government appointed several negotiators including K C Pant, N N Vohra, Dileep Padgaokar but Kashmir problem could not be sorted out. Nonetheless analysts’ claim that at present terrorists are eliminated and secessionists are losing ground hence Sharma has better chance to succeed. There are reports that persons of all walks of life have already met Sharma and even few separatist leaders also met him clandestinely.

Pakistan watchers also claim that Sharma was appointed interlocutor because of international pressure as the announcement came just one day before the visit of Rex Tillerson US Secretary of State to India and Pakistan. The hardliners in India feel that at present there is lot of international pressure on Pakistan because of its assistance to terrorist outfits and the Indian security forces have already eliminated large number of terrorists and their leaders and remaining terrorists would also be wiped out hence government should not give much concession to separatists and the settlement must be on the terms of government and not on the dictates of secessionists.

Way Forward

The surgical strike made an effective impact on Pakistan authorities and now they have shifted their launching pads away from the borders. There are reports that ISI have also relocated terrorist training camps deep inside POK or in Pakhtoon Khawa. However surgical strikes on launching pads are not enough as it killed low level terrorists. Indian intelligence agencies should be tasked to collect pinpointed intelligence about the locations of terrorist training camps and then these camps should be demolished and the terrorists, officers imparting them training should be exterminated, if possible senior leaders of terrorist outfits should also be eliminated. It will be a difficult task as training camps are not permanent structure and temporary constructions continue moving from one place to other. Hence there cannot be much difference in collection of intelligence and attack on these camps. Large numbers of terrorist training camps are run by L-e-T, J-e-M and HM, although it is not possible to give the exact numbers but these terrorist outfits have different training camps for training, firing and bomb manufacturing and explosions. The firing and explosive training camps are in thick forests and at secluded places. However India has legal right to enter POK as it is part of India and Pakistan has occupied it illegally.

The surgical strike gave a valorous message to Islamabad that the present government is not afraid of their nuclear arsenal and if they will continue with sponsoring terrorist activities Indian troops will enter in their territory in self defence. It also made it clear to world powers that they must control Pakistan otherwise there is a danger of war between two nuclear powers.

Indian should convey a stern message to Pakistan that if it will not discontinue low intensity war, India is ready to bear the pain of nuclear war. Pakistan knows in case of nuclear war, Pakistan would be completely devastated while some portion of India will remain intact. Hence Pakistan would be a bigger loser in case of nuclear war.

India must withdraw Most Favoured Nation (MFN) accorded to Pakistan in 1996 a year after the formation of World Trade Organisation (WTO). However Pakistan has not given MFN status to India so far while there are talks that Pakistan may give MFN status to China. In this case India should also adopt a pragmatic policy and should withdraw MFN status.

The Indus Water Treaty of 1960 is against the interests of India and not only this, India is not utilising its share of water. Hence first of all India should make arrangements so that it can utilise  its share of water and afterwards should revisit the conditions of the treaty and if Pakistan is not behaving like a good neighbour there is no need for India to be more generous than required. 

 Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan correctly stated, in a session captioned as “The Current State of India-Pakistan Relations” that “endless war is not a solution and no one country will win but both the countries will face colossal losses.” The session was organised under aegis of Anant Aspen Centre on 7^th December, 2017 where Kasuri further stated Pakistan army should change its behaviour and there should be no attacks when India and Pakistan try to improve the relations. Here Kasuri affirmed that Pakistan army does not want cordial relations with India and therefore whenever the civilian governments try to improve relations Pakistani army sabotage it.

Prime Minister Modi visited Lahore on 25 December, 2015and ISI sponsored terrorists attacked Pathankot Airbase on January 2^nd which resulted in enhancement of hostility. The relations between India and Pakistan can be improved if Pakistan army which flourishes on hate India rhetoric stops it and allow the civilian government to ameliorate relations with India. (Sl. No.19)

The first Counter Terrorism Designations Dialogue between Indian and United States occurred at Delhi on December 19 is a welcomed initiative. In the meeting India gave the details of terrorist organisations like L-e-T and J-e-M including their leaders namely Hafiz Saeed. It was decided to share intelligence and put the names of terrorists before UNSC 1267 Committee so that sanctions can be imposed on them. ( Sl. No. 20)

Pakistan sponsored separatists killed Sufi culture of Kashmir, evicted non-Muslims from the valley and replaced the moderate Imams (priests) of mosques from fundamentalist Imams who spread hatred towards security forces, India and other religions. There is a need that moderate and good intentioned Kashmiri leaders try to win the confidence of masses by telling them the futility of fighting with Indian security forces on behest of Pakistan which is using them as tools.  The patriotic leaders should also narrate the pitiable condition of POK and Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after partition are still considered as second rate citizens. The Sufi culture of Kashmir should be restored and extremist Imams should be punished.

Nationalistic people should also expose secessionist leaders including Hurriyat leaders who instigate youths to revolt against government while their own children are residing out of valley.

Successive government in New Delhi bestowed many favours to Kashmiri masses so that they become more pro-India. However Kashmiris thought that as they project themselves pro-Pakistan India provide them more facilities. Indian Policy makers must shatter this myth and extra privileges should be withdrawn. 

The medical camps and Sadbhavana rallies organised by security forces are welcomed by the masses and generate goodwill for India and security forces.

India should continue to expose Pakistan in the international arena so that it takes stringent action against all terrorists without differentiating between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ terrorists. Pakistan should abolish terrorist training camps and the Madrassas which produce terrorists and suicide bombers. 

India should not allow Pakistani artists to perform in the country and exchange of sports teams should be stopped immediately. The so called human right activists who criticise security forces but do not utter a word when terrorists attack Indian security installations and kill security personnel should be exposed and detailed investigation should be made about their links with forces inimical to India.  

Kashmir politics is governed by few families; Delhi should also try emerging leaders in the valley who may work more for the interest of the province and the masses in comparison to the families who are more involved in full-filling their personal interests.  

However Kashmir problem which is continuing since independence is becoming more and more complex, it cannot be solved unless Article 370 is revoked. Indian policy makers should start debate about repeal of Article 370 and efforts should be made so that non-Muslims including Kashmiri Pandits evicted from valley return back to their ancestral homes honourably.

NOTES & REFERENCES

(1) The India Pakistan narrative seems to have changed forever: Will surgical strike become the strategy for anti-terror operations?  Dated 30the September 2016 By J K Verma Aviation & Defence Universe

(2) Indian Surgical Strikes against Terrorists in Pakistan: What we know, What, we Don’t know By Siddharth Varadarajan on 29.09.2016. The Wire

(3) Seventeen soldiers killed in Uri terror attack. How will India respond? By Jai Kumar Verma. The Indiasaga.com

(4) Surgical Strike : From  Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(5) India’s claim of surgical strikes ‘fabrication of truth’, says Pakistan Army :  Imtiaz Ahmed:  Hindustan Times Dated September 29, 2916.

(6) Pak Army Needs a Blunt Message, Time for Niceties is Over : Jai Kumar Verma dated May 05, 2017 . The Indiasaga.com

(7) Surgical strikes effect: Pakistan fears India may now eliminate terror chiefs, asks them to lie low, says report By FE online New Delhi Updated September 30, 2016 Financial Express.

(8) Indo-Pakistani War of 1965  from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(09)When Pakistan and India went to war over Kashmir in 1999 By Zaffar Abbas dated February 17, 2017: Herald

(10) All you need to know about Kargil War: July 26, 2017 The Economic Times.

(11) NIA probe unearths how Pakistan-based groups use WhatsApp to fuel terror in Kashmir: Bharti Jain dated July 26, 2017 Times of India

(12) Rishi Order from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(13) South Asia Terrorism Portal

(14) Lashkat-e-Toiba South Asia Terrorism Portal

(15) BRICS declaration names Pakistan based terror groups in diplomatic victory for India:  Elizabeth Roche live Mint September 4, 2017

(16) India-China-Russia Foreign Ministers’ meet revs up RIC: Vineeta Pandey The Pioneer dated December 12, 2017

(17) Jaish-e-Mohammed from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

     (18) Fatalities in Terrorist Violence 1988 - 2017 South Asia Terrorism Portal

(19) The Current State of India-Pakistan relations” a session organised by Ananta Aspen Centre on 7^th, December 2017.

      (20) India, US focus on increasing bilateral ties on terrorism-related               designations: Pioneer dated December 21, 2017.        

First Published in Aviation & Defence Universe website

·        Kashmir situation was at rock-bottom

By JK Verma

New Delhi. 31 December 2016. has been a worst nightmare for the two neighbours India- Pakistan, with steadily deteriorating ties despite India’s friendly advances which have been either turned down or resulted into back stabbing by Pakistan.

Prime Minister Modi invited heads of State of all South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries including Pakistan to attend his oath taking ceremony. Modi also visited Lahore on the birthday of Nawaz Sharif on December 25 last year and visited his hometown but all the friendly gestures of Modi government were shattered when on January 2, 2016 Pakistan trained 6 terrorists attacked Pathankot Airbase in which seven  security personnel including a Lieutenant Colonel were martyred.

Nonetheless Indian government continued its reconciliation efforts and requested Islamabad to take stringent actions against persons/organisation behind the terrorists attack. Indian government also allowed Pakistani team including an officer of sinister Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to become part of Pakistani investigation team. But Pakistan which has launched a proxy war against India, instead of taking action against terrorists alleged that the attack was handiwork of Indian intelligence agencies and Pakistan was not responsible for the same.

Again ISI trained 4 terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed equipped with latest weaponry attacked Army base at Uri on September 18, in which 19 army personnel were killed. Nonetheless this time Indian government took an intrepid decision and resorted to surgical strike inside Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in which more than 40 Pakistani terrorists and army men were exterminated. It was a spirited departure from the previous policy of “strategic restraint”.

Both countries bitterly fought in United Nations and also expelled diplomats of other country on the ground of espionage. Pakistan persistently propagated fictitious stories about the human right violations by Indian security forces in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). Few human right organisations and NGOs which were financed by ISI were also making phony allegations of brutality by Indian security forces. India was always defensive but this time Prime Minister Modi also raised Balochistan, Gilgit and Baltistan issues in his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort.  India also mentioned about the pitiable condition of residents of POK.

The already deteriorated India Pakistan relations became worse as Afghanistan openly blamed Pakistan for terrorist activities in the country. Pakistan which wants to achieve strategic depth in Afghanistan was upset on growing close relationship between its eastern and western neighbours. India also successfully isolated Pakistan but China which considers India as its prospective competitor firmly stood behind the rogue nation.

The separatist outfits were worried because of their dwindling influence in the valley. They were also disconcerted that an ordinary resident of the valley can approach the security forces for assistance. Therefore, ISI-sponsored terrorist outfits were instructed to attack security forces so that the public would consider that the terrorists are more dominant than the security forces.

Pakistan Army which could not avenge September 29 surgical strike of the Indian Army also instructed terrorist outfits under their control to target Indian security forces. Military controlled ISI also enhanced infiltration after surgical strike and according to reports more than 100 terrorists were exterminated by security forces in counter-terrorist operations.

Pakistan abetted separatists in Kashmir overtly claim that they want right of self determination for Kashmiris, repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA) and demilitarization of Kashmir. In reality these terrorist outfits understand that the silent majority wants to remain part of India therefore the terrorists attack security forces, snatch weapons and kill innocent persons with malicious intention of disturbing peace and tranquility in the valley.

Pakistan which considers Kashmir as unfinished agenda of 1947 constantly infiltrates terrorists and supports several terrorist outfits as well as separatist leaders who disturb law and order, nonetheless valley was peaceful in first half of 2016 but the separatists got a flicker when Burhan Wani Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by security forces on July 8.

ISI supported secessionist groups including Hurriyat conference took full advantage of the situation and started demonstrations, processions, mob-violence and stone pelting in all 10 districts of the valley. The protesters violated curfew and attacked the security forces and destroyed the public property.

The Security forces had to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and pellet guns to control the violent agitators. Curfew continued for about 53 days in which about 85 civilians and 2 security men were killed and about 13000 civilians and over 4000 security forces personnel were also injured.

Pakistan continued fomenting trouble in Kashmir and Pakistan-trained terrorists killed 87 security personnel in 2016 which is highest after 2008 when 90 security officials were martyred. Out of these 87 casualties, 71 were killed in the Kashmir valley alone. Nineteen army personnel were killed in the terrorist assault in Uri and terrorists also attacked security forces in Kupwara, Pampore, Poonch, Anantnag, Baramulla and Pulwama where 8 CRPF personnel were killed and 21 were seriously injured. ISI trained Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists ambushed CRPF convoy on June 25 at Pampore and killed 8 CRPF officials. Terrorists attacked security forces at Pampore more than once as it is a crowded place and security forces cannot retaliate as it may hurt innocent citizens.

Recently both Pakistan army chief and Director General of ISI, two most powerful persons in Pakistan, have changed and it is expected that new army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa would be less anti India in comparison to his predecessor Raheel Sharif. Analysts also claim that now Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may have more leverage with regards to foreign policy towards India.

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary Foreign Secretary of Pakistan stated on December 28 that bilateral talks should be restarted. He also stated that the relations between both the countries were not good because there were no talks. It is an indication that civilian government of Pakistan is keen to start negotiations.

The previous regimes have not only radicalized the country but there are so much of anti-India sentiments that it is very difficult to improve relations. Several powerful pressure groups like terrorist outfits, religious organisations, business houses and most importantly Pakistani army are availing undue privileges by projecting imaginary threat from India and all these power centres would never allow cordial relations with India.

Indian government should work on two angles firstly it must tackle Pakistan and instead of pursuing defensive policies, India must adopt offensive strategy. India should give diplomatic assistance to numerous secessionist movements going on in Pakistan especially in Balochistan, Sindh, Muhajirs, Gilgit & Baltistan, Pashtoons etc.  The pitiable condition of POK and Saraikistan should also be highlighted in all world forums including United Nations. India should render more assistance to Balochistan as the Baloch leaders expect whole-hearted support from India.

The Indian policy makers should also consider diverse options including reconsideration of Indus Water Treaty, withdrawing of Most Favoured Nations status from Pakistan just to name few.

After making Pakistan defensive on these fronts, India should chalk out a long term strategy so that Kashmir problem is sorted out. Most Kashmiri leaders including separatists have taken state security and sent their children outside J&K. These leaders must be exposed and if they are really sincere about Kashmir they must relinquish state security and call their children to participate in the demonstrations.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) must try to curb the funding to Kashmiri terrorists. The terrorist outfits give money at the time of recruitment, training and even while participating in the demonstration. The processions and stone-pelting was considerably minimized in first few days of demonetisation. Several business houses in Kashmir are also involved in terror funding through over and under invoicing and recently NIA has seized their documents.  Finance is backbone of any agitation and security forces must break the backbone.

Kashmiri demonstrators challenge the authority of government of India; the security forces under a long term planning must restore the dominance of government without using excessive force. The miscreants responsible for damaging public or private property especially educational institutions must be awarded exemplary punishment by the judiciary.

The security forces should arrest the organizers of the demonstrations and if feasible they should be sent out of J&K so that peace can be restored in the state. All the nationalist political parties should try to resolve the present law and order situation as anti national parties are creating trouble under the instructions of Pakistan. Article 370 is damaging J&K and it is assisting only the secessionists hence an atmosphere should be created so that it can be repealed.

The decision of government to issue domicile certificates to the refugees who migrated from Pakistan 70 years back is an excellent decision and government should not cow down because of opposition of separatists. India has been extending its hand of faith to Pakistan but the fact that Pakistan has not been warmly accepting the shake, has got the relations to a sore point as is the status quo today. Hope 2017 turns out to be a little better and  instills good sense which will hopefully prevail  on India’s not-so-friendly neighbour.

(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based former diplomat and strategic analyst. He was posted in Pakistan. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com.)