Terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir
·
SOUTH
ASIA MONITOR
·
JUL 19
2019
Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for India's Ministry of
External Affairs, commenting on the latest video issued by al Qaeda chief Ayman
al-Zawahiri, rightly stated on July 11 that Indian security forces are capable
of safeguarding the country;s sovereignty and territorial integrity against any
attack. He also stated that India had received such threats in the past and
those threats were successfully countered; hence there was no need to take
these threats seriously. The al Qaeda, he said, is a terrorist organisation
proscribed by the United Nations and its leaders are designated as terrorists
by the UN.
Al-Zawahiri
became chief of al Qaeda after the terrorist group’s founder, Osama bin Laden,
was killed in Pakistan in May 2011 by Navy SEALs of the United States Naval
Special Warfare Development Group in Operation Neptune Spear. Recently, a video
by al- Zawahiri was posted on As-Sahab channel, which is al Qaeda’s in-house
production channel, used to communicate its views to the world.
In the video
entitled “Don’t Forget Kashmir,” al-Zawahiri said the Mujahideen in Kashmir
should make concerted attacks on the Indian army and government “so as to bleed
the Indian economy and make India suffer sustained losses in manpower and
equipment.” Al Zawahiri, who is from Egypt and carries a reward of $ 25 million
on his head, also said in the video that Mujahideen should communicate with
other Muslims of the world.
Thomas
Joscelyn, in an article in the Long War Journal, states that al Qaeda is
fuelling terrorism in the Valley and instigating the youth to wage jihad
against Indian security forces. Al Qaeda, which in the past eulogised Zakir
Musa, founder of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), showed photographs of Zakir Musa,
Burhan Wani and Afzal Guru in the video. Musa was killed in an encounter in
Tral on May 23, 2019 by Indian security forces. Analysts feel that al Qaeda and
AGH are cooperating with each other in their fight against Indian forces in
Kashmir. The video of al- Zawahiri is likely to help Abdul Hameed Lelhari, present
chief of AGH.
The video
also criticises Pakistan and says fighters should “liberate the Kashmiri Jihad”
from the control of intelligence agencies of Pakistan, who are international
criminals. Mujahideen should fight to liberate Kashmir and their jihad should
be in the name of Allah and should take decisions on the basis of Sharia. The
video, in Arabic, also says the Pakistan government and army are “toadies of
America” and they prevented Arab Mujahideen from liberating Kashmir after
throwing Russians out of Afghanistan. The video clearly mentions the
involvement of Pakistan and its intelligence agencies, although Islamabad
always claims it is not involved in terrorist activities in India. The
14-minute video also sees al-Zawahiri saying all Muslims must assist jihad in
Kashmir, the Philippines, Chechnya, Central Asia, Iraq, Syria, the Arabian
Peninsula, Somalia, the Islamic Maghreb and Turkistan.
Analysts
state that old and frail al-Zawahiri is in Pakistan and may be availing of
facilities provided by the ISI, which is worried that insurgency in Kashmir is
dying down after Operations All Out, Cordon and Search and Sarp Vinash. In the
first five months of 2019, Indian security forces have successfully eliminated
101 terrorists, including 23 foreigners and 78 locals. According to statistics
of the Ministry of Home Affairs, infiltration in 2019 declined 43%, local
Kashmiris joining terrorist outfits came down 40 %, while 22% more terrorists
were killed in 2019.
Besides
elimination of terrorists, security forces have also launched operations Calm
Down and ‘Sadbhavana’ (goodwill). These operations are aimed at winning the
hearts and minds of local Kashmiris. Hence, the possibility that the ISI forced
al-Zawahiri to issue the video cannot be ruled out, even though it criticised
Pakistan and its intelligence agencies. That may have been done so no suspicion
falls on ISI. The rogue intelligence agency curbs influence of al Qaeda and
Islamic State in Pakistan, but assists these terrorist outfits in India. The video
may be an effort to unite diverse terrorist groups and disgruntled terrorists.
The video
might be an effort by al Qaeda to increase its influence, which is fast
diminishing due to the rising influence of Islamic State. IS has already
created 'provinces' of support in India and Pakistan. The Islamic State of
Khorasan Province (ISKP) is gaining support among disillusioned Muslim youths.
In 2014, al-Zawahiri also formed al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS)
but could not enhance its influence, hence the al Qaeda chief issued this
video to augment its sway.
However, the
security forces are doing a good job not only in the Valley but also in
handling Left Wing Extremism quite effectively. They should continue with their
pro-active policy of elimination of terrorists and should try to win the hearts
of local Kashmiris, while revoking Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution.
The vigil at the border should also be enhanced and more electronic gadgets
should be used to check infiltration.
(The author
is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst. He can be contacted at
jai_pushpa@hotmail.com)
SOUTH ASIA MONITOR
A Perspective on, from and of interest to the region
Powered by SPS Society for Policy Studies
JUN 15
2019
The main causes of the Kashmir problem stem from
the past. They include preventing Indian forces from completely evicting
Pakistani invaders from Kashmir, referring Kashmir to the United Nations,
agreeing to a plebiscite and the promulgation of Articles 370 and 35A of the
Constitution of India. Kashmir could not be integrated into India because of
Article 370 and its offshoot, Article 35A. A sinister provision was included in
Article 370 which mentioned that any change in the article was feasible only after
concurrence of the Jammu & Kashmir assembly.
Article 370 has provisions that no outsider can purchase immovable
property in the state and several Indian laws, including the Anti-Defection
Law, Wealth Tax, Gift Tax & Urban Land Ceiling Act, are not applicable in
J&K. Presidents rule cannot be imposed in the state without the governor’s
consent. Although Article 370 was included in the constitution as a temporary
provision, either no sincere effort was made over the last 70 years to revoke
it, or the efforts were sabotaged by pro-separatists and residents of the
Valley.
Opponents threaten that if these articles are removed, not only J&K,
but several other parts of India will witness demonstrations and violent
protests. The Valley will become uncontrollable and relations between Kashmir
and India will end with the state becoming independent. A misconception has
been spread that if these articles are removed, people from other states will
purchase most of the prime land and the local residents will become landless
and homeless.
Inhabitants of the Jammu and Ladakh regions are in favour of removing
Articles 370, which gives special autonomous status to J&K, and 35A, which
safeguards the demographic status of the state. The government should
immediately start a debate about the benefits and drawbacks of these provisions
in the Indian Constitution. Public debates will expose the leaders and
political parties who support retention of these Articles, which have hampered
the progress of the state. Inhabitants of the Valley will also understand that
the main reason for massive unemployment and poverty is that no investment is
coming into the Valley because of these articles which prohibit outsiders from
owning land or property in the state.
The J&K economy is dependent on agriculture, horticulture and
tourism. The younger generation is not interested in agriculture and
horticulture, which require hard labour and do not provide expected returns.
The tourism industry, which generates employment for a large number of young
Kashmiris, lies in shambles.
Kashmir needs a long term strategy which will include containment of
terrorism, revocation of Articles 370 and 35A and employment generation
programmes. Fundamentalism or extremism were unknown in the state, but separatists,
with the assistance of Pakistan’s rogue Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),
injected fundamentalism in the Valley. Large numbers of madrassas and mosques
have been established and many clerics in these religious institutions preach
extremism. Intelligence operatives should cultivate assets in these religious
places and those who preach extremism should be dealt with stringently.
There cannot be peace in the valley unless Articles 370 and 35A are
repealed and these articles cannot be revoked unless the J&K state
legislature passes the bill. The present strength of the state legislature is
111, of which 24 seats are for what is Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Hence
the effective strength of the legislature is 87 seats. Of these 87 seats, 46
seats are from the Valley, while Jammu and Ladakh have 41 seats.
The present division of seats is incorrect as the total area of Jammu
and Ladakh is 84.26 % while Kashmir has an area of 15.73% only. In the same
way, the combined population of Jammu and Ladakh is around 45%, while the
Valley has around 55% of the population. The 226,000 refugees who came from
Pakistan after partition and live in Jammu were excluded from the census as
they were not given citizenship rights.
These figures are from the 2011 census. 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits were
forced to leave the Valley and are now settled in Jammu, raising its
population, while the population of Kashmir has decreased. There should,
therefore, be delimitation in the state and there should be a re-division of seats
in the assembly. Once seats in the Valley are reduced, articles 370 and 35A can
be revoked.
However, security forces must continue with ‘Operation All Out’ and
terrorists must be exterminated. Borders should be sealed to the extent
possible to ensure minimum infiltration. Besides ‘action agents,’ the ‘support’
agents (over ground workers) should also be either arrested or annihilated.
Without support agents, it will be difficult for terrorists to carry out
terrorist activities. Government must make efforts to ensure that financial
assistance to terrorists is stopped. There should be no negotiations with
Pakistan though Prime Minister Imran Khan is sending feelers to initiate talks
but not making any promises to stop assistance to terrorist outfits and arrest
terrorist leaders like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.
Once Articles 370 and 35A are removed, industrialists should put up
industries and the government should make detailed plans to develop the state.
Once peace is restored, tourism will rise and generate employment and the
resentment of young people will end slowly but steadily.
(The author is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of USI and
IDSA. He can be contacted at jai_pushpa@hotmail.com)
WE JUST REPORT FACTS, WE DO NOT CHANGE THEM
Abrogation Of Article 370 & 35A Is Complex But Essential
·
SOUTH
ASIA MONITOR
·
·
A
Perspective on, from and of interest to the region
·
Powered by SPS
Society for Policy Studies
·
JUL 19
2019
JUL 19
2019
·
RESEARCH
SPOTLIGHT
1.
Home
2.
Spotlight
3.
Al Qaeda
video a desperate attempt to revive dying Kashmir militancy
Al Qaeda video a desperate
attempt to revive dying Kashmir militancy
Analysts state that old and
frail al-Zawahiri is in Pakistan and may be availing of facilities provided by
the ISI, which is worried that insurgency in Kashmir is dying down after
Operations All Out, Cordon and Search and Sarp Vinash. In the first five months
of 2019, Indian security forces have successfully eliminated 101 terrorists,
including 23 foreigners and 78 locals, writes J K Verma for South Asia Monitor
By J K Verma JUL
19, 2019
·
·
·
Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson for India's Ministry of
External Affairs, commenting on the latest video issued by al Qaeda chief Ayman
al-Zawahiri, rightly stated on July 11 that Indian security forces are capable
of safeguarding the country;s sovereignty and territorial integrity against any
attack. He also stated that India had received such threats in the past and
those threats were successfully countered; hence there was no need to take
these threats seriously. The al Qaeda, he said, is a terrorist organisation
proscribed by the United Nations and its leaders are designated as terrorists
by the UN.
Al-Zawahiri
became chief of al Qaeda after the terrorist group’s founder, Osama bin Laden,
was killed in Pakistan in May 2011 by Navy SEALs of the United States Naval
Special Warfare Development Group in Operation Neptune Spear. Recently, a video
by al- Zawahiri was posted on As-Sahab channel, which is al Qaeda’s in-house
production channel, used to communicate its views to the world.
In the video
entitled “Don’t Forget Kashmir,” al-Zawahiri said the Mujahideen in Kashmir
should make concerted attacks on the Indian army and government “so as to bleed
the Indian economy and make India suffer sustained losses in manpower and
equipment.” Al Zawahiri, who is from Egypt and carries a reward of $ 25 million
on his head, also said in the video that Mujahideen should communicate with
other Muslims of the world.
Thomas
Joscelyn, in an article in the Long War Journal, states that al Qaeda is
fuelling terrorism in the Valley and instigating the youth to wage jihad
against Indian security forces. Al Qaeda, which in the past eulogised Zakir
Musa, founder of Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), showed photographs of Zakir Musa,
Burhan Wani and Afzal Guru in the video. Musa was killed in an encounter in
Tral on May 23, 2019 by Indian security forces. Analysts feel that al Qaeda and
AGH are cooperating with each other in their fight against Indian forces in
Kashmir. The video of al- Zawahiri is likely to help Abdul Hameed Lelhari, present
chief of AGH.
The video
also criticises Pakistan and says fighters should “liberate the Kashmiri Jihad”
from the control of intelligence agencies of Pakistan, who are international
criminals. Mujahideen should fight to liberate Kashmir and their jihad should
be in the name of Allah and should take decisions on the basis of Sharia. The
video, in Arabic, also says the Pakistan government and army are “toadies of
America” and they prevented Arab Mujahideen from liberating Kashmir after
throwing Russians out of Afghanistan. The video clearly mentions the
involvement of Pakistan and its intelligence agencies, although Islamabad
always claims it is not involved in terrorist activities in India. The
14-minute video also sees al-Zawahiri saying all Muslims must assist jihad in
Kashmir, the Philippines, Chechnya, Central Asia, Iraq, Syria, the Arabian
Peninsula, Somalia, the Islamic Maghreb and Turkistan.
Analysts
state that old and frail al-Zawahiri is in Pakistan and may be availing of
facilities provided by the ISI, which is worried that insurgency in Kashmir is
dying down after Operations All Out, Cordon and Search and Sarp Vinash. In the
first five months of 2019, Indian security forces have successfully eliminated
101 terrorists, including 23 foreigners and 78 locals. According to statistics
of the Ministry of Home Affairs, infiltration in 2019 declined 43%, local
Kashmiris joining terrorist outfits came down 40 %, while 22% more terrorists
were killed in 2019.
Besides
elimination of terrorists, security forces have also launched operations Calm
Down and ‘Sadbhavana’ (goodwill). These operations are aimed at winning the
hearts and minds of local Kashmiris. Hence, the possibility that the ISI forced
al-Zawahiri to issue the video cannot be ruled out, even though it criticised
Pakistan and its intelligence agencies. That may have been done so no suspicion
falls on ISI. The rogue intelligence agency curbs influence of al Qaeda and
Islamic State in Pakistan, but assists these terrorist outfits in India. The video
may be an effort to unite diverse terrorist groups and disgruntled terrorists.
The video
might be an effort by al Qaeda to increase its influence, which is fast
diminishing due to the rising influence of Islamic State. IS has already
created 'provinces' of support in India and Pakistan. The Islamic State of
Khorasan Province (ISKP) is gaining support among disillusioned Muslim youths.
In 2014, al-Zawahiri also formed al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS)
but could not enhance its influence, hence the al Qaeda chief issued this
video to augment its sway.
However, the
security forces are doing a good job not only in the Valley but also in
handling Left Wing Extremism quite effectively. They should continue with their
pro-active policy of elimination of terrorists and should try to win the hearts
of local Kashmiris, while revoking Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution.
The vigil at the border should also be enhanced and more electronic gadgets
should be used to check infiltration.
(The author
is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst. He can be contacted at
jai_pushpa@hotmail.com)
SOUTH ASIA MONITOR
A Perspective on, from and of interest to the region
Powered by SPS Society for Policy Studies
·
JUN 15
2019
JUN 15
2019
SPOTLIGHT
3.
Solution of Kashmir problem lies in the removal of Articles 370 and 35A
Solution of Kashmir problem lies in the removal of Articles 370 and 35A
Kashmir needs a long term strategy which will include containment of
terrorism, revocation of Articles 370 and 35A and employment generation
programmes, writes J.K. Verma for South Asia Monitor
By J.K. Verma JUN 15, 2019
·
·
·
The main causes of the Kashmir problem stem from
the past. They include preventing Indian forces from completely evicting
Pakistani invaders from Kashmir, referring Kashmir to the United Nations,
agreeing to a plebiscite and the promulgation of Articles 370 and 35A of the
Constitution of India. Kashmir could not be integrated into India because of
Article 370 and its offshoot, Article 35A. A sinister provision was included in
Article 370 which mentioned that any change in the article was feasible only after
concurrence of the Jammu & Kashmir assembly.
Article 370 has provisions that no outsider can purchase immovable
property in the state and several Indian laws, including the Anti-Defection
Law, Wealth Tax, Gift Tax & Urban Land Ceiling Act, are not applicable in
J&K. Presidents rule cannot be imposed in the state without the governor’s
consent. Although Article 370 was included in the constitution as a temporary
provision, either no sincere effort was made over the last 70 years to revoke
it, or the efforts were sabotaged by pro-separatists and residents of the
Valley.
Opponents threaten that if these articles are removed, not only J&K,
but several other parts of India will witness demonstrations and violent
protests. The Valley will become uncontrollable and relations between Kashmir
and India will end with the state becoming independent. A misconception has
been spread that if these articles are removed, people from other states will
purchase most of the prime land and the local residents will become landless
and homeless.
Inhabitants of the Jammu and Ladakh regions are in favour of removing
Articles 370, which gives special autonomous status to J&K, and 35A, which
safeguards the demographic status of the state. The government should
immediately start a debate about the benefits and drawbacks of these provisions
in the Indian Constitution. Public debates will expose the leaders and
political parties who support retention of these Articles, which have hampered
the progress of the state. Inhabitants of the Valley will also understand that
the main reason for massive unemployment and poverty is that no investment is
coming into the Valley because of these articles which prohibit outsiders from
owning land or property in the state.
The J&K economy is dependent on agriculture, horticulture and
tourism. The younger generation is not interested in agriculture and
horticulture, which require hard labour and do not provide expected returns.
The tourism industry, which generates employment for a large number of young
Kashmiris, lies in shambles.
Kashmir needs a long term strategy which will include containment of
terrorism, revocation of Articles 370 and 35A and employment generation
programmes. Fundamentalism or extremism were unknown in the state, but separatists,
with the assistance of Pakistan’s rogue Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),
injected fundamentalism in the Valley. Large numbers of madrassas and mosques
have been established and many clerics in these religious institutions preach
extremism. Intelligence operatives should cultivate assets in these religious
places and those who preach extremism should be dealt with stringently.
There cannot be peace in the valley unless Articles 370 and 35A are
repealed and these articles cannot be revoked unless the J&K state
legislature passes the bill. The present strength of the state legislature is
111, of which 24 seats are for what is Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Hence
the effective strength of the legislature is 87 seats. Of these 87 seats, 46
seats are from the Valley, while Jammu and Ladakh have 41 seats.
The present division of seats is incorrect as the total area of Jammu
and Ladakh is 84.26 % while Kashmir has an area of 15.73% only. In the same
way, the combined population of Jammu and Ladakh is around 45%, while the
Valley has around 55% of the population. The 226,000 refugees who came from
Pakistan after partition and live in Jammu were excluded from the census as
they were not given citizenship rights.
These figures are from the 2011 census. 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits were
forced to leave the Valley and are now settled in Jammu, raising its
population, while the population of Kashmir has decreased. There should,
therefore, be delimitation in the state and there should be a re-division of seats
in the assembly. Once seats in the Valley are reduced, articles 370 and 35A can
be revoked.
However, security forces must continue with ‘Operation All Out’ and
terrorists must be exterminated. Borders should be sealed to the extent
possible to ensure minimum infiltration. Besides ‘action agents,’ the ‘support’
agents (over ground workers) should also be either arrested or annihilated.
Without support agents, it will be difficult for terrorists to carry out
terrorist activities. Government must make efforts to ensure that financial
assistance to terrorists is stopped. There should be no negotiations with
Pakistan though Prime Minister Imran Khan is sending feelers to initiate talks
but not making any promises to stop assistance to terrorist outfits and arrest
terrorist leaders like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.
Once Articles 370 and 35A are removed, industrialists should put up
industries and the government should make detailed plans to develop the state.
Once peace is restored, tourism will rise and generate employment and the
resentment of young people will end slowly but steadily.
(The author is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of USI and
IDSA. He can be contacted at jai_pushpa@hotmail.com)
Aviation & Defence UniverseWE JUST REPORT FACTS, WE DO NOT CHANGE THEM
Abrogation Of Article 370 & 35A Is Complex But Essential
Needs strong decisions to curb this mode of violence. Pic Courtesy :
Rediff.com
Will we see an end to such scenes? Pic
Courtesy: Rediff.com
Tagged with: Central
Government’s authority, Constituent
Assembly, Indian
citizens, Kashmiri
Brahmins, Mehbooba
Mufti, Muslim
majority, Muslim
majority state, Pakistan
sponsored terrorism, Pakistan
trained suicide bomber
Aviation & Defence Universe
Deadliest Attack On CRPF Convoy: Jaish Used Afghan Pattern
New
Delhi. 15 February 2019. The
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) funded terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M)
carried out the deadliest attack on the convoy of Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) yesterday, in which more than 40 valiant soldiers were martyred. The
terrorist attack was similar to Afghan pattern under which the suicide bomber
rams his explosives laden car with the vehicle of security forces. In these
attacks chances of escape are minimal.
Tagged with: Adil
Ahmad Dar, Afghan
pattern, Afghanistan
Reconciliation, Central
Reserve Police Force, CRPF
convoy, Deadliest
attack, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Home
Minister Rajnath Singh, Indian
foreign secretary, Inter
Services Intelligence, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Liberation
Tigers, Masood
Azhar, Most
Favoured Nation, Non-Discriminatory
Market Access, President
Trump, Prime
Minster Modi, suicide
bomber, Tamil
Eelam, Terrorist
attacks, Waqas
Commando of Gundibagh, Zalmay
Mamozy Khalilzad
Needs strong decisions to curb this mode of violence. Pic Courtesy :
Rediff.com
By JK Verma
New Delhi. 23
February 2019.Pakistan
sponsored terrorism in India especially in the valley is continuing unabated.
On February 14 Pakistan trained suicide bomber martyred 40 valiant CRPF
personnel at Pulwama. Again, in another encounter on February 18 at Pulwama,
one Major and four security personnel were martyred although the security
forces successfully eliminated Kamran, the mastermind of Pulwama attack of
February 14. According to reports in 2018 about 232 terrorists were eliminated
but 240 terrorists are still operative in the valley. Large number of security
personnel were martyred while civilians were also killed during encounters.
These unwarranted killings and continuation of insurgency stressed the
need of complete integration of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), hence an intense
debate started about the revocation of articles 370 and 35A. Large number of
people feel that because of these articles there is no investment hence no
development of the state and no employment is generated. Previously the people
were employed in agriculture and orchards of fruits. In the season there were
large number of tourists and it was also a big source of employment. Tourism is
considerably reduced while work in agriculture and fruit orchards is also
diminished. The unemployed youths are easily radicalised and involved in
stone-pelting and other anti-national activities.
The Article 370 gives special status to Kashmir and limits the Central
Government’s authority to four subjects only. The four subjects include
defence, foreign affairs, currency and communication, for all other subjects
Union Government needs concurrence of the state government.
Will we see an end to such scenes? Pic
Courtesy: Rediff.com
The Article 35A authorises J&K state legislature to outline the
“permanent residents” and their special rights and privileges. These were also
supplemented in the constitution through a presidential order in 1954. The
presidential order provides “permanent residents” the right to purchase immovable
property, admissions in educational institutions and secure government jobs in
the state government.
Vast majority of Indians feel that these articles are discriminatory,
outdated and are hinderance in the amalgamation of J&K in India. They claim
that the ruler of J&K had signed the Instrument of Accession hence the
state should be amalgamated with India as other states were merged.
The article 370 is discriminatory, as it mentions that persons who
migrated from the state to Pakistan will be considered as state subjects for
two generations, while the persons who came from Pakistan except POK will not
be considered as state subjects even if they were residing in J&K. The
article further mentions that, Kashmiris can settle, purchase land and can-do
job anywhere in India while residents of other parts of India are denied these
rights in J&K. The article is inequitable among Kashmiris also. In case a
Kashmiri woman marries non- Kashmiri she and her children lose the permanent
status, while if a male Kashmiri marries outside, this rule does not apply to
him. The opponents of the article claim that it should be revoked as it is
discriminatory and is against the spirit of the Indian constitution.
However, several Kashmiris and Kashmir based political parties and their
leaders are against the revocation of these articles. The former Chief Minister
of J&K Mehbooba Mufti warned that the special status of Kashmir cannot be
changed. Farooq Abdullah Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference
and the former union minister also cautioned that if these articles are
withdrawn there will be massive protests in the state.
The Kashmiris fear that if Article 370 is removed then the demography of
the valley will be changed. The valley based political parties also nurture
this idea among the residents of the valley. The J&K state is divided into
three major parts i.e. Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir. The residents of Jammu and
Ladakh have not much objection about the revocation of these articles. In fact,
Ladakh wants to become a Union Territory. But the sole objection comes from the
valley which has Muslim majority. It is not feasible to revoke article 370 from
Jammu and Ladakh areas only as it has to be revoked from entire J&K.
The argument that repeal of articles 370 and 35A will change the
demography is a farce, as residents of Jammu and Ladakh can purchase land and
settle in the valley but the residents of these areas have not moved in the
valley and no demographic change occurred in last 70 years. The property left
by Kashmiri Brahmins was purchased by Kashmiri Muslims on throwaway price.
Basically, the rescinding of these articles is opposed by the residents of
valley although they occupy a very small area. Hence residents of valley should
not be allowed to represent full state of J&K. The opposition is more from
the leaders of the valley based political parties as they fear that they may
lose their political support.
The J&K High Court in October 2015 ruled that Article 370 is
permanent and it can neither be repealed nor abrogated. However Supreme Court
ruled that it is not permanent, and parliament can annul the article.
There is a need to have a free and fair debate in the valley, in the
educational institutions, in the vernacular media about the advantages and
disadvantages of these articles as they are harming the state and impeding its
development. The opinion of entire state should be taken, and it should not be
restricted to the residents, politicians and prominent families of the valley.
J&K is a heterogenous state, Kashmir has 15 percent area which has
Muslim majority while 85 percent area consists of Jammu and Ladakh where
Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists are in majority. Secondly there are 22 districts in
the state and insurgency is only in five districts namely Srinagar, Anantnag,
Baramulla, Kulgam and Pulwama, hence mentioning that whole of J&K is
suffering from terrorism is incorrect. The retention of Article 370 and 35A
give a wrong signal to whole of India, Kashmir as well as to Pakistan.
The legal luminaries believe that Article 370 can be revoked by
President of India on the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the
state. Hence for revocation of the article a new Constituent Assembly of
J&K has to be convened and it should recommend the revocation of the
article. Parliament can amend the constitution, but it will be a difficult task
as no party will have the requisite majority.
Few legal experts also claim that article 370 is linked with accession
and if article 370 is repealed the accession of Kashmir with India will be in
jeopardy as accession of other states in India is different from Kashmir. The
proponents of Article 370 also claim that the revocation of the article would further
alienate the Kashmiris.
However, analysts claim that Article 370 should be revoked as it has
created a situation where J&K inhabitants have right all over India while
Indian citizens have limited rights in J&K. It is a disgrace and the
article 370 is continuing only because Kashmir is a Muslim majority state, but
it gives a wrong message to majority Hindus that government is pursuing the
policy of appeasement of minorities.
The hard-core nationalists claim that the document of accession was
signed on 26th of October 1947 and this document of accession is akin to the
document of accession signed by other more than 500 princely states. As all
documents of accession were conditional this document of accession signed by
Maharaja Hari Singh was also conditional and gave four areas to Union of India.
Here it is important to note that in 1947 there was no constitution of India,
which was promulgated on 26 January 1950, hence there is no linkage between
accession and constitution. Dr.BR Ambedkar refused to draft article 370 as it
was discriminatory. The constitution mentions that Article 370 is temporary.
Article 35A came through a presidential order in 1954 and is against the
basic ethos of constitution. It has outlived its utility and must be scrapped
urgently. In reality, Article 35A is utilised by Pakistan sponsored separatist
outfits like Hurriyat to keep the terrorism alive in the state.
Although Parliament is empowered to scrap Article 370, but it will be
difficult for any political party to repel it as other political parties will
oppose the bill because of their party interests. Article 370 is the principal
impediment in the integration of J&K in India. Hence article 35A should be
repealed immediately and procedure should be initiated so Article 370 is also
revoked. Indian leaders should try to convince Kashmiris that Pakistan is
exploiting them, and terrorism has ruined their lives and Kashmir which was
once considered heaven on the earth has become centre of terrorism where
innocent people are losing their lives.
(Jai Kumar
Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of United Services
Institute of India and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views in
the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com)
Tagged with: Central
Government’s authority, Constituent
Assembly, Indian
citizens, Kashmiri
Brahmins, Mehbooba
Mufti, Muslim
majority, Muslim
majority state, Pakistan
sponsored terrorism, Pakistan
trained suicide bomber
Aviation & Defence Universe
THE PIONEER
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/columnists/polls-undeterred-by-terrorist-threats.html
Polls
undeterred by terrorist threats
As Jammu
& Kashmir gears up for the panchayat and local body elections, all efforts
must be made for peaceful conduct of the polls. A breakthrough will mean a big
victory for democracy and defeat of terrorists and separatist elements
Aviation & Defence Universe
As Jammu
& Kashmir gears up for the panchayat and local body elections, all efforts
must be made for peaceful conduct of the polls. A breakthrough will mean a big
victory for democracy and defeat of terrorists and separatist elements
On August 31, the
State Administrative Council (SAC), led by newly-appointed Jammu & Kashmir
Governor Satya Pal Malik announced that elections to urban local bodies (ULB)
will be held in four phases in the first week of October, while Panchayat
elections would be conducted in eight phases — from November 8 to December 4,
2018. The SAC requested the chief electoral officer to fine-tune the dates
accordingly in view of the terrorist threats to the State.
The SAC also
announced a grant of one month extra salary and insurance to polling officers,
considering threats from terrorist outfits. Simultaneously, the Government will
also educate the voters about the significance of local body (LB) elections as
several important decisions can be taken by them instead of waiting for the
State Government. The local bodies can also utilise funds sanctioned by Central
and State Governments.
The last ULB
elections were held in 2005 after 23 years, while Panchayat elections were
conducted in 2011. The Panchayat elections could not be held in 2016 due to
security reasons as the situation became tense after the killing of Hizbul
Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
In the 2011
Panchayat polls, more than 4,145 sarpanches and 29,000 panches were
elected and the polling was more than 80 per cent. In the current elections,
there are 78 municipal corporations, councils and committees and 4,490 panchayats and
35,096 panch wards.
Analysts feel that
the first elections should be held in peaceful areas like Leh, Ladakh, Jammu
and the areas abutting Kashmir, then in central Kashmir, and lastly, it should
be held in south Kashmir, which is the stronghold of terrorists.
Security personnel
mention that residents of south Kashmir are averse to elections and have
anti-Government sentiments. Hence, it is expected that there will be more
violence in south Kashmir and voter turnout will be less.
It was decided that
electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used in ULB elections, while the
Panchayat elections would be conducted through ballot papers. Initially,
the panches were electing the sarpanches, but
this time, sarpaches too would be elected directly. Each
voter will cast two votes — one for the panch and the other
for the sarpanch.
The three foremost
terrorist organisations, including the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Hizbul Mujahideen and
Jaish-e-Mohammed, jointly warned the candidates, leaders of political parties
and the masses not to participate in the elections. These terrorist outfits
have different areas of operations and have numerous differences. But as the
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is determined to sabotage the polls, it
instructed these outfits to work jointly to disrupt the forthcoming elections.
Posters threatening the villagers of dire consequences if they participate in
the elections also appeared in the villages.
Riyaz Naikoo,
present Chief Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, cautioned through an 11-minute
audio that “people who want to participate in polls should keep their shroud
ready.” He also warned: “We have already stored hydrochloride acid and
sulphuric acid. They should be ready for consequences.” The intelligence
agencies have also cautioned that Pakistan-sponsored terrorist outfits will
leave no stone unturned to disrupt the polls.
Syed Ali Shah
Geelani, chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, also appealed to the people to
boycott the impending local body elections. Mainstream political parties,
except the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP),
have also stated that it is not the right time for elections. President of
National Conference, Farooq Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party chief
Mehbooba Mufti, also announced to boycott the forthcoming Panchayat and
ULB elections until Central and State Governments ensure continuation of
Article 35A in the State.
Leaders of
political parties mentioned that candidates for the elections would be like
“sitting ducks”, and in disturbed areas, it would be difficult to find
candidates who would be willing to contest elections. In the last four years,
16 sarpanches and panches were killed by
terrorists. Hence, several leaders may also avoid contesting the elections.
Union Defence
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat met Governor
Malik in Srinagar on September 2 and discussed internal as well as external
situation, which included infiltration by Pakistani terrorists and security
situation in view of the forthcoming local body elections. They also discussed
matters about road connectivity, which is important for the elections.
Security forces are
aware of the ground situation and are making a comprehensive arrangement for
the conduct of peaceful elections. Also, 237 companies of the Central Armed
Police Force (CAPF), deployed for Amarnath Yatra, were instructed to remain in
the Province till the local body polls are over.
Various Government
agencies are also contacting several NGOs and prominent public figures to
convince the masses to participate in forthcoming elections.
Security agencies
mention that there will be enough security personnel in the State, especially
in troubled areas, but it is not feasible to provide security to all the
candidates.
Meanwhile,
terrorists have intensified attacks on security personnel, especially police personnel.
Recently, outlaws killed three off-duty police personnel on Eid. In an
unprecedented move, the terrorists kidnapped family members of police personnel
who were later released.
For the terrorists,
family members of police personnel are easy targets. Terrorists suspect that
the local police are providing pinpoint intelligence to the security
forces and, hence, they are able to exterminate more terrorists now.
The security forces
annihilated over 200 terrorists in 2017 and 142 terrorists in last eight
months. According to Director General Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),
Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, although more local Kashmiris are joining terrorist
organisations, the shelf-life of terrorists has considerably reduced — the
number of terrorists is also reducing.
Besides tightening
of security, the Government, good-intentioned NGOs and political leaders should
also try to make a conducive atmosphere for successfull polling. They should
try to win confidence of the masses. besides, there are several incomplete
projects in the State that needs to be completed. Due attention must be given
to other parts as well, particularly Jammu, Leh and Ladakh areas.
The National
Intelligence Agency (NIA) recently arrested Syed Shakeel Yousuf, son of Hizbul
Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, in connection of terror funding. The security
agencies should expose separatist leaders as they instigate the youth to
participate in stone-pelting and terrorist activities.
Intelligence
reports suggest that the ISI is trying hard to infiltrate terrorists as
security forces have successfully exterminated a large number of terrorists.
The Pakistan Army may increase cross-border violations and may also instruct
the Border Action Team (BAT) to take action against Indian security forces. Untrained
Kashmiri youth are easily killed and their families become hostile to the
terrorists. As the NIA is tightening its grip on terror financing, terrorists
are compelled to loot banks and snatch weapons from security forces.
Analysts claim that
extra security precautions should be taken because if local body
elections are conducted successfully, it will be construed as a defeat of
terrorist organisations, secessionist
elements and
political parties. Voter turnout is most crucial as it will also pave way for
the forthcoming 2019 General Election. Security forces must be vigilant
and try to conduct local body elections peacefully. If executed without any
disturbance, it will be a big victory of democracy and defeat of terrorist and
separatist elements.
(The writer is
a member of United Services Institute of India and Institute for Defence
Studies and Analysis. Views expressed are personal)
WE JUST REPORT FACTS, WE DO NOT
CHANGE THEM
Repealing Of Article 35A Is
One Of The Ways Ahead In Kashmir
New Delhi. 08 August 2018. It is the hottest
debate in the country at the moment making the earlier uninitiated millions now
experts on the problem of Kashmir and its constitutional solution by repealing
the till now lesser known sibling of Article 370-Article 35A.
On August 6th the Apex Court
adjourned the crucial hearing of Article 35A and declared that the hearing will
commence from August 27. A Delhi based NGO “We the Citizens” has filed a
petition that Article 35A and Article 370 are discriminatory to other citizens
of India. The NGO claims that article 35A is “unconstitutional” as the Article
was included in Constitution on May 14, 1954 through a Presidential Order and
the article was never presented before Parliament prior to its promulgation.
THE PIONEER
http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/a-hardline-approach-in-jandk.html
Will we see
an end to such scenes? Pic Courtesy: Rediff.com
By J.K.Verma
New Delhi. 08 August 2018. It is the hottest
debate in the country at the moment making the earlier uninitiated millions now
experts on the problem of Kashmir and its constitutional solution by repealing
the till now lesser known sibling of Article 370-Article 35A.
On August 6th the Apex Court
adjourned the crucial hearing of Article 35A and declared that the hearing will
commence from August 27. A Delhi based NGO “We the Citizens” has filed a
petition that Article 35A and Article 370 are discriminatory to other citizens
of India. The NGO claims that article 35A is “unconstitutional” as the Article
was included in Constitution on May 14, 1954 through a Presidential Order and
the article was never presented before Parliament prior to its promulgation.
The J&K
legislature under Article 35A is empowered to classify “permanent residents”
and permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir are given special privileges which
are denied to the other citizens of India. The special privileges include
purchase of immovable property, getting a job in state government or avail a
state scholarship or permanently reside in the state. The article mentions that
if a Kashmiri woman marries outside Kashmir then she loses the right in her
hereditary property. The NGO claims that Article 35 A is an impediment in the
all-round progress of the state.
The migrants
who came from West Pakistan at the time of partition in 1947 and residing in J&K
from last 70 years and became citizens of India but are still second class
citizens in J&K. They cannot buy any immovable property, cannot have
employment in state government, cannot start industry or purchase a motor car.
He/she can vote for Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) but cannot vote for
state legislature elections. The paradox is that if a person comes from
Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) he or she is entitled for all the rights.
The NGO
claims that it is a falsehood that Article 370 provides a special status to
J&K as it is a temporary arrangement and should be abrogated. Nonetheless
residents of J&K are habituated of availing extra privileges hence when
they found that there is a danger and the additional benefits can be withdrawn,
separatists, Kashmiri political leaders including National Conference (NC) and
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bar Associations, Transporters, businessmen,
traders, state government servants all criticised the withdrawal of privileges
given under Article 35A. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) which includes
separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammed
Yasin Malik gave a two days strike call for August 5 &6. The security
forces arrested Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and several others
as precautionary measures. However Yasin Malik escaped from his house and
went in hiding.
Omar Abdullah Vice President
of National Conference and former Chief Minister of J&K tweeted on August
5, 2018 that “Protecting Article 35A is a tacit acceptance that J&K’s
future lies within the Constitution of India otherwise how would it matter if
it were struck down or diluted?”
A mis-guided
youth could have done more than this. Pic courtesy : Rediff.com
Chief of
Peoples Democratic Party and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also tweeted
that there is lot of anger in the people of J&K over the hearing of Article
35 A in the apex court. She also mentioned on twitter that “Even though the
deferment of hearing on Article 35A is not a solution, it has brought interim
relief to the people of J&K. But with uncertainty looming over its status,
it has unleashed a wave of anxiety and panic amongst the people of J&K.”
A Bhartiya
Janta Party (BJP) leader of J&K differed from the party line and supported
the retention of Article 35A and stated that the residents of Jammu fear the
influx of outsiders in Jammu area. BJP is in favour of repeal of Article 35A.
The separatists spread the rumor that there will be revolt in J&K police if
Article 35A is repealed but Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid
categorically mentioned that there is no possibility of revolt in the police
force and the order of Supreme Court will be honoured by all . An IAS officer
of 2010 batch who is doing a masters course in United States also stated that
abrogation of Article 35A would be similar to breaking the ties between J&K
and rest of India. He is already facing disciplinary proceedings about a tweet
on numerous rapes in the country.
A team
comprising of eminent lawyers of J&K High Court Bar Association also
reached Delhi to defend article 35A. Large number of state government employees
went on one day leave. Shops, petrol stations, educational institutions and
business centres also remained closed during the shutdown call. Train
services between Banihal (Ramban district) and Baramulla
(Baramulla district) remained suspended.
The effect of
strike was more visible in south Kashmir region as five terrorists including a
commander of Lashker-e-Toiba namely Umar Malik were killed by security forces
on August third and fourth in an encounter at village Killora in Shopian
district. The operation was launched after getting the pin-pointed
intelligence about the location of terrorists.
Rallies and
demonstrations were held at several places including Ghataghar, Rambagh,
Khanyar Zadibal, Karfali Mohalla , Rainwari, Anchaar, and Dalgate, etc. Most of
the places the demonstrations were peaceful and only few incidents of
stone-pelting occurred. The weekly Karwan-e-Aman bus service between Srinagar
and Muzaffarabad and the ongoing Amarnath Yatra were suspended.
The State
Government of J&K also filed an application for the postponement of the
case under the pretext of forthcoming urban and Panchayat local body and
Municipal elections in the province.
If some
analysts’ claim is to be believed then the strength and hold of separatists on
the residents of valley is diminishing as they are tired of shutdowns, bunds
and strikes. The main industry of the valley is tourism and it is in doldrums
because of terrorism. The Kashmiri youths are suffering because of unemployment
while the older generation fears that their children may not join terrorist
outfits. Now several educated Kashmiris claim that the so called Kashmiri
leaders have settled their children outside Kashmir and as they themselves have
government security so they are safe while common Kashmiris and their young
children are vulnerable, they are allured to join terrorist outfits and later
they are exterminated by security forces.
Large numbers
of Kashmiri youths who have taken the path of terrorism were eliminated under
Operation All Out which is a joint Operation launched in 2017 by Army, Central
Reserve Police Force, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Border Security Force,
Intelligence Bureau and Research & analysis Wing to arrest or exterminate
terrorists. In 2017 security forces eliminated 213 terrorists while 82
misguided Kashmiri youths left terrorism and joined the mainstream. In 2018
security forces killed 116 terrorists up to July in the joint operations.
Under
Operation All out as all forces are working jointly the stone-pelters have also
became less effective and are not able to disrupt the operations. The basic
object of stone-pelters is to disturb and disrupt the operation and assist
terrorists so that they can escape from the encounter sight.
The security
forces have also enhanced the vigil at Indo-Pak borders consequent upon the infiltration
of terrorists is lessened and several infiltrators were killed while they were
crossing the borders. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which was
especially constituted to eradicate terrorism has also tightened the grip on
businessmen who were financing the leaders of diverse terror outfits. Few
traders were involved in India Pakistan trade and were generating funds to
finance terror outfits through over and under invoicing.
Needs strong
decisions to curb this mode of violence. Pic Courtesy : Rediff.com
The influence
of terrorists is mitigating in the valley and sinister Inter Services
Intelligence (ISI) is finding it difficult to infiltrate terrorists, smuggle
weapons and finance the terrorist outfits hence the terrorists are looting the
banks and snatching the weapons of the security forces. In last few months the
terrorists have looted six banks and snatched firearms including AK-47.
The sway of
separatists is declining hence they are propagating that if Article 35A is
removed or diluted several privileges enjoyed by Kashmiris would be snatched
and not only this there will be a demographic change in the state. The
separatists forcibly evicted non-Muslims from the valley hence now they do not
want non-Muslims to come and live.
The
separatists also publicising that Article 35A is in favour of Duggar region and
Ladakh region more than the valley so that residents of these areas also oppose
repeal of Article 35A. But it is all malicious propaganda if peace is restored
in the region more tourists will come and if Article 35A is removed, more
industries will be established which will not only generate employment but
there will be overall development of the state.
The
separatists want to separate J&K from India hence retention of article 35A
is not the solution of problem. Giving few concessions are also not enough as
separatists either want to merge with Pakistan or want a separate country.
Government should wait the decision of apex court and if the Supreme Court
repeals Article 35A both central and state government machinery must implement
the judgment with full force.
(Jai Kumar Verma is a
Delhi-based strategic analyst and a retired senior intelligence officer. He is
also member of United Services Institute of India and Institute for Defence
Studies and Analyses. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can
be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com)
THE PIONEER
http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/a-hardline-approach-in-jandk.html
A hardline approach in J&K
A ceasefire in Kashmir will
be counter-productive and embolden the terrorists. What Kashmir needs right now
is a clampdown on separatists and their agenda
In an unexpected move, the Union Government accepted Jammu & Kashmir
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s proposal of a unilateral ceasefire
in Kashmir and asked the security forces to defer operations against
the terrorists during the month of Ramzan, which commenced from May 17. The
Government’s decision of a conditional ceasefire is against the advice of the
security forces. A ceasefire will mean that our forces will not be able to
launch pro-active operations, including Cordon and Search operations. Hence,
the decision does come as a godsend windfall for terrorist organisations,
separatists and their mentors sitting in Pakistan.
At an all-party meeting convened by Mehbooba Mufti on May 9, participants
had agreed to request the Union Government for a unilateral ceasefire during
the month of Ramzan to the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra in August.
Nonetheless, the State unit of the BJP categorically stated that it is
against the proposal as it is not in “national interest”. It was of the view
that our forces have already eliminated prominent terrorists under Operation
All-Out and the remaining will be exterminated soon and, hence, there should be
no ceasefire.
Analysts claim that Operation All-Out, which is a joint offensive launched
by the Indian Army, the Rashtriya Rifles (a Paramilitary force), the Border
Security Force (a Central Police organisation), Jammu & Kashmir Police,
different intelligence organisations, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB),
has been a great success. Operation All-Out was launched in 2017 to flush-out
all terrorists from Jammu & Kashmir. In 2017, about 220 terrorists, including
several hardcore Pakistani terrorists, were exterminated while 82 Kashmiri
youths shunned the path of terrorism and joined the mainstream. Seventy-eight
valiant security personnel were also martyred. This year, security forces
eliminated about 72 terrorists up to mid-May. Exterminated terrorists include
several commanders of diverse terrorist outfits.
Cordon and Search operations, launched by the security forces, have also
been very effective. In C&S operations, the security forces were able to
arrest/eliminate hard-core terrorists and their support agents, who are very
important for the terrorists as first they reconnaissance the area, hide the
arms and ammunition and then render shelter to the terrorists. There are
confirmed reports that quite a few local Kashmiris act as support agents
because of the fear of the terrorists. Now, as the fear of terrorists is
reducing, local Kashmiris are providing vital actionable intelligence and
security forces are eliminating hard-core terrorists.
The number and influence of terrorists are mitigating rapidly and
secessionist leaders are becoming redundant. Security forces have also
tightened their grip on India-Pakistan borders and are using latest technical
equipment to detect and annihilate infiltrators. Therefore, Pakistan’s
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is unable to infiltrate terrorists in large
numbers into the country. According to intelligence sources, more than 350
terrorists are waiting in Pakistan to enter India. In a disturbing trend, local
Kashmiris are joining terrorist groups but because of Operation All-Out, active
life of terrorists has been reduced to few weeks only.
In view of their reduced number and sliding influence, terrorists desire
ceasefire for some time so that they can regroup and strengthen themselves.
However, this will be detrimental to achieve long-term peace in the Kashmir
Valley. In fact, there has already been a ceasefire on the International
Border as well as on the Line of Control (LoC) since 2003, which was an
important confidence-building measure. Nevertheless, Pakistan, which has waged
a low-intensity war against India, does not adhere to the ceasefire and
incessantly infiltrates terrorists in India.
As per reports, in 2017, there were 860 incidents of ceasefire violations on
LoC and about 111 breaches on the International Border. In the first two months
of 2018, there were 633 ceasefire violations, out of which, 432 were on LoC and
201 on the International Border. In view of a large number of ceasefire
violations by Pakistan, it is pointless to declare a ceasefire, which
will only give a breather to the ISI and the terrorists. At present, security
forces have an edge over the terrorists and the latter is running for life.
A unilateral ceasefire announced by the National Democratic Alliance, led by
the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on November 19, 2000, on the holy
month of Ramzan, which was extended till May 31, 2001, was a disappointment and
terrorist utilised the time to strengthen themselves. Terrorists also attacked the
Srinagar airport during the ceasefire period.
In 2000, a ceasefire was announced after negotiations with the top
leadership of terrorist outfits, maybe through back channels, but at present,
there is no worthwhile leadership with whom talks can be held. The Joint
Resistance Leadership (JRL) or the Hurriyat has lost credibility and has no
control over the terrorists. Local commanders are more independent and take
direct instructions from Pakistan. They would, therefore, continue with
terrorist activities even during the ceasefire.
On the one hand, a unilateral ceasefire declaration will be considered a
sign of weakness of the security forces and terrorists will propagate it as
their success. On the other, it will demoralise our security forces and the
significance of the supreme sacrifice of their colleagues will be minimised.
Through their joint operations, our security forces have won the confidence of
the masses and now local Kashmiris, who are fed up with frequent strikes and
closures, are providing actionable intelligence to the security forces. The
fear of the terrorists is also considerably dwindled but ceasefire at this
juncture will finish all gains.
Same way, when people talk about peaceful negotiations to end terrorism in
the Valley, they do not mention with whom to negotiate. Persons, who claim to
be leaders, have no sway over terrorists and are in no position to control
violence.
Second, what are the points on which negotiations can be held is not clear.
It is also a far-fetched idea that declaration of a ceasefire in the holy month
of Ramzan will create goodwill among terrorist outfits. Hard-core terrorists
are fanatic Muslims and they profess either to kill or convert non-Muslims in
their area of control. Terrorists get instructions from the ISI, which has
waged a low-intensity war against India.
Here, it will not be out of point to mention that terrorist outfits like
the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, active in
the Valley, have not reciprocated and have declared ceasefire.
Besides emboldening the terrorists, a ceasefire will even encourage
stone-pelters to attack our forces on flimsy grounds. Our forces have mounted
enough pressure on the terrorists and even the commanders of terrorist outfits
are either exterminated or are running for life. A ceasefire at this juncture
will terminate the pressure which was built after careful planning and spirited
encounters. In reality, the withdrawal of the First Information Report
from first-time stone-pelters was also ineffective as stone-pelting continues
unhindered.
The political leadership in Jammu & Kashmir must emphasise that
terrorists should abandon the path of terrorism and work for the progress of
the State. Besides, security forces must also try and curb the financial assistance
received by the separatists from Islamabad as no movement is possible without
finance. Even the stone-pelters are paid by lackeys in Pakistan who assemble at
the site of encounter with disingenuous intention to disturb the security
forces so that terrorists can escape from the encounter site.
Our security forces must be appreciated for their patience and acumen for
calling the family members of the terrorists at the encounter site and giving
them an opportunity to talk to their near and dear and request them to
surrender. Efforts like these will create goodwill as the masses understand
that the security forces are not blood-thirsty and gives ample opportunities to
the terrorists to save themselves. However, there is no need to be sympathetic
towards Pakistani infiltrators. In a nutshell, a unilateral ceasefire
will achieve nothing except that it will give some respite to the terrorists
and time to reinforce them. On the other hand, it will demoralise our security
forces and the significance of the supreme sacrifice of their colleagues will
be minimised.
(The writer is member, United Services Institute of India, and Institute
for Defence Studies and Analyses)
AAKROSH
Impact of surgical strikes on
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)
NOTES & REFERENCES
In an unexpected move, the Union Government accepted Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s proposal of a unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir and asked the security forces to defer operations against the terrorists during the month of Ramzan, which commenced from May 17. The Government’s decision of a conditional ceasefire is against the advice of the security forces. A ceasefire will mean that our forces will not be able to launch pro-active operations, including Cordon and Search operations. Hence, the decision does come as a godsend windfall for terrorist organisations, separatists and their mentors sitting in Pakistan.
At an all-party meeting convened by Mehbooba Mufti on May 9, participants had agreed to request the Union Government for a unilateral ceasefire during the month of Ramzan to the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra in August.
Nonetheless, the State unit of the BJP categorically stated that it is against the proposal as it is not in “national interest”. It was of the view that our forces have already eliminated prominent terrorists under Operation All-Out and the remaining will be exterminated soon and, hence, there should be no ceasefire.
Analysts claim that Operation All-Out, which is a joint offensive launched by the Indian Army, the Rashtriya Rifles (a Paramilitary force), the Border Security Force (a Central Police organisation), Jammu & Kashmir Police, different intelligence organisations, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), has been a great success. Operation All-Out was launched in 2017 to flush-out all terrorists from Jammu & Kashmir. In 2017, about 220 terrorists, including several hardcore Pakistani terrorists, were exterminated while 82 Kashmiri youths shunned the path of terrorism and joined the mainstream. Seventy-eight valiant security personnel were also martyred. This year, security forces eliminated about 72 terrorists up to mid-May. Exterminated terrorists include several commanders of diverse terrorist outfits.
Cordon and Search operations, launched by the security forces, have also been very effective. In C&S operations, the security forces were able to arrest/eliminate hard-core terrorists and their support agents, who are very important for the terrorists as first they reconnaissance the area, hide the arms and ammunition and then render shelter to the terrorists. There are confirmed reports that quite a few local Kashmiris act as support agents because of the fear of the terrorists. Now, as the fear of terrorists is reducing, local Kashmiris are providing vital actionable intelligence and security forces are eliminating hard-core terrorists.
The number and influence of terrorists are mitigating rapidly and secessionist leaders are becoming redundant. Security forces have also tightened their grip on India-Pakistan borders and are using latest technical equipment to detect and annihilate infiltrators. Therefore, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is unable to infiltrate terrorists in large numbers into the country. According to intelligence sources, more than 350 terrorists are waiting in Pakistan to enter India. In a disturbing trend, local Kashmiris are joining terrorist groups but because of Operation All-Out, active life of terrorists has been reduced to few weeks only.
In view of their reduced number and sliding influence, terrorists desire ceasefire for some time so that they can regroup and strengthen themselves. However, this will be detrimental to achieve long-term peace in the Kashmir Valley. In fact, there has already been a ceasefire on the International Border as well as on the Line of Control (LoC) since 2003, which was an important confidence-building measure. Nevertheless, Pakistan, which has waged a low-intensity war against India, does not adhere to the ceasefire and incessantly infiltrates terrorists in India.
As per reports, in 2017, there were 860 incidents of ceasefire violations on LoC and about 111 breaches on the International Border. In the first two months of 2018, there were 633 ceasefire violations, out of which, 432 were on LoC and 201 on the International Border. In view of a large number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan, it is pointless to declare a ceasefire, which will only give a breather to the ISI and the terrorists. At present, security forces have an edge over the terrorists and the latter is running for life.
A unilateral ceasefire announced by the National Democratic Alliance, led by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on November 19, 2000, on the holy month of Ramzan, which was extended till May 31, 2001, was a disappointment and terrorist utilised the time to strengthen themselves. Terrorists also attacked the Srinagar airport during the ceasefire period.
In 2000, a ceasefire was announced after negotiations with the top leadership of terrorist outfits, maybe through back channels, but at present, there is no worthwhile leadership with whom talks can be held. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) or the Hurriyat has lost credibility and has no control over the terrorists. Local commanders are more independent and take direct instructions from Pakistan. They would, therefore, continue with terrorist activities even during the ceasefire.
On the one hand, a unilateral ceasefire declaration will be considered a sign of weakness of the security forces and terrorists will propagate it as their success. On the other, it will demoralise our security forces and the significance of the supreme sacrifice of their colleagues will be minimised. Through their joint operations, our security forces have won the confidence of the masses and now local Kashmiris, who are fed up with frequent strikes and closures, are providing actionable intelligence to the security forces. The fear of the terrorists is also considerably dwindled but ceasefire at this juncture will finish all gains.
Same way, when people talk about peaceful negotiations to end terrorism in the Valley, they do not mention with whom to negotiate. Persons, who claim to be leaders, have no sway over terrorists and are in no position to control violence.
Second, what are the points on which negotiations can be held is not clear. It is also a far-fetched idea that declaration of a ceasefire in the holy month of Ramzan will create goodwill among terrorist outfits. Hard-core terrorists are fanatic Muslims and they profess either to kill or convert non-Muslims in their area of control. Terrorists get instructions from the ISI, which has waged a low-intensity war against India.
Here, it will not be out of point to mention that terrorist outfits like the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, active in the Valley, have not reciprocated and have declared ceasefire.
Besides emboldening the terrorists, a ceasefire will even encourage stone-pelters to attack our forces on flimsy grounds. Our forces have mounted enough pressure on the terrorists and even the commanders of terrorist outfits are either exterminated or are running for life. A ceasefire at this juncture will terminate the pressure which was built after careful planning and spirited encounters. In reality, the withdrawal of the First Information Report from first-time stone-pelters was also ineffective as stone-pelting continues unhindered.
The political leadership in Jammu & Kashmir must emphasise that terrorists should abandon the path of terrorism and work for the progress of the State. Besides, security forces must also try and curb the financial assistance received by the separatists from Islamabad as no movement is possible without finance. Even the stone-pelters are paid by lackeys in Pakistan who assemble at the site of encounter with disingenuous intention to disturb the security forces so that terrorists can escape from the encounter site.
Our security forces must be appreciated for their patience and acumen for calling the family members of the terrorists at the encounter site and giving them an opportunity to talk to their near and dear and request them to surrender. Efforts like these will create goodwill as the masses understand that the security forces are not blood-thirsty and gives ample opportunities to the terrorists to save themselves. However, there is no need to be sympathetic towards Pakistani infiltrators. In a nutshell, a unilateral ceasefire will achieve nothing except that it will give some respite to the terrorists and time to reinforce them. On the other hand, it will demoralise our security forces and the significance of the supreme sacrifice of their colleagues will be minimised.
(The writer is member, United Services Institute of India, and Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses)
AGNI
The Journal of the FSSS Vol.XX, No. IIISeptember 2017 to December 2017
Government efforts to resolve Kashmir issue would yield result
By
Jai K Verma
Government efforts to resolve Kashmir issue would yield
result
The appointment of interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma shows that present
government is working on a comprehensive plan to solve Kashmir problem. First
of all security forces have exterminated hardcore terrorists and their leaders
in encounters. Besides encounters Army,
Central Police Organisations and police have launched Cordon & Search
(C&S) operations and in these operations not only terrorists but over ground workers were either arrested or eliminated. The
security agencies have also tightened their grip on Hawala operators,
unscrupulous businessmen who were financing the secessionists on behest of
nefarious Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). Pakistan assisted separatist
outfits as well as their handlers in Pakistan are worried as they realized that
secessionist movement will fizzle out soon and peace will be restored in the
valley.
Home Minister as well as Chief of Army Staff had made it clear that
action against terrorists would not stop because of negotiations between
interlocutor and others. Although Hurriyat leaders have rejected negotiations
with Sharma but in his five days visit about ninety delegations of various
walks of life met him.
Pakistan has created several terrorist outfits including Lashkar-e-Toiba,
Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Jaish-e-Mohammed etc. with the solitary objective of creating
trouble in India especially J&K.
The analysts feel that Kashmir problem is created by Pakistan and it will
continue troubling India hence a firm decision should be taken and there should
be surgical strikes deep inside POK which is Indian territory and illegally
occupied by Pakistan. It will give a blunt
message to Pakistan that India is neither afraid of conventional war nor of
their nuclear arsenal and if it will continue infiltrating terrorists then
there will be more surgical strikes.
The proclamation of appointment of
Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor on October 23 to bring back peace in Kashmir by Modi government came as a big surprise
to all the affected parties. The separatist leaders who work as lackeys of
Pakistan took about a week to react on the declaration of former Intelligence
Bureau Director Sharma as a negotiator. As expected Hurriyat leaders rejected
the appointment of Sharma on flimsy ground that centre refuses to accept
Kashmir as a dispute. The statement issued by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL)
consisting of Syed Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik alleged
that the appointment was a “time-buying tactic” and refused to negotiate with
newly appointed interlocutor. The
statement mentioned that there will be no use in negotiations, as Indian
government wanted to bargain, as it could not crush the freedom movement of
Kashmir by “military repression”. The statement
further mentioned that government must accept that there is a dispute and it
needs to be resolved then only there can be a fruitful dialogue. (Sl no.1 to
3).
Analysts’ point out that Pakistan
supported Hurriyat leaders have no option except to reject Sharma as
interlocutor because at present government is at strong pedestal and security
forces are exterminating terrorists. South
Asia Terrorism Portal mentioned that in 2015 only 174 terrorists were killed
while security forces exterminated 310 terrorists in 2017 up till November 12.
Security forces also killed several commanders of Lashker-e-Toiba (L-e-T), Jaish-e-Mohammed
(J-e-M) and Hizbul Mujahideen including Umer Khalid, Abu Dujana, and
Talhr Rasheed nephew of JeM Chief Maulana Masood Azhar. The number of hardcore
terrorists in the valley is considerably dwindled and because of modern
electronic gadgets and enhanced vigil it has become difficult for Pakistan to
infiltrate terrorists. According to intelligence sources about 350 Pakistan trained
terrorists are waiting at the borders to infiltrate in India. There are also
reports that these terrorists are not near launching pads because they expect
that Indian forces may resort to surgical strike as about a year back Indian
troops launched a surgical strike in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and killed
about 40 Pakistanis including terrorists, guides and their trainers who were
retired or serving Pakistani army personnel. (Sl. Nos.1 to 6)
The frustration of terrorists and
their handlers in Pakistan can be assessed by the fact that now they are
slaughtering Kashmiris on the baseless suspicion of informers of security
forces. Terrorists killed six suspected informers within first 10 days of
November. Recently terrorists have also released video, showing that they were
beating and torturing a Deputy Sarpanch in Shopian district in J&K. The
terrorists are killing and persecuting the innocent citizens, to show that they
are more powerful than security forces in the state. Nevertheless it depicts
their frustration and the belief that they are losing strength in the state. (
Sl no. 7 & 8)
According to reports the sinister
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is desperate as they feel that Kashmir
movement may fizzle out soon. The Cordon & Search Operations (C&SO)
jointly executed by Army, Central Police Organisations and local police are
great success. The over ground workers (OGWs) who were helping terrorists are
constantly exposed, arms & ammunition are recovered from their houses hence
they are afraid of assisting separatists. In fact as the influence of
terrorists is diminishing in local populace which is tired of atrocities of
terrorists and Hartals on feeble grounds are supplying actionable intelligence
to security forces. (Sl. No. 4)
The present government has also tightened grip
on the financiers, Hawala operators and the businessmen who were financing the
separatist leaders and terrorists. The demonetisation has also adversely
affected the separatists as well as paid demonstrators because the cash flow
was considerably reduced.
In past several interlocutors
including K C Pant, N N Vohra, Ram Jethmalani, Yaswant Sinha, Shard Yadav,
Dileep Padgaokar etc also tried to solve Kashmir issue but unfortunately their
efforts could not yield desired results. . (Sl. No. 4)
Initially Modi government took hard
line, exterminated large number of terrorists, enhanced vigil at the borders,
arrested and neutralised OGWs, financiers of terrorists and separatists are
either arrested or put under surveillance. After weakening secessionists, Prime
Minister in his Independence Day speech mentioned that Kashmiris have suffered
and issue should be resolved by “embracing all Kashmiris” and appointed an
interlocutor with full powers to negotiate. Honey-tongued Sharma dealt Kashmir closely
during his long career in Intelligence Bureau and as no time-limit is fixed it
is expected that Sharma may able to break the ice with Kashmiri leaders who
genuinely want to restore peace in the valley. Sharma visited J&K in second
week of November and stayed for three days in the valley and two days in Jammu.
He met Governor, Chief Minister and about ninety delegations including leaders
of several political parties, various groups and organisations. Hurriyat
leaders and organisations under the influence of Pakistan have not met the
‘special representative’. (Sl. No. 4 & 9)
In past Pakistani handlers as well as
separatists utilized the negotiation time in strengthening themselves and recouping
their losses but this time General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff declared
that negotiations would not hamper the operations of security forces. Rajnath
Singh, Home Minister after a high level meeting on November 15, which was also
attended by Defence Minister and National Security Advisor, issued instructions
that anti-terrorist operations should be intensified in Kashmir. It means that operations
against secessionists would continue and they will not get time to strengthen
themselves and it may be a reason that Hurriyat leaders declined to negotiate
Sharma. ( Sl. No 11 & 12)
Few analysts also claim that Modi
appointed, interlocutor because of international pressure as appointment of Sharma
was announced just one day before the commencement of US Secretary of State Rex
Tillerson’s visit to India and Pakistan. Views of opposition and Hurriyat
leaders that interlocutor was appointed as government failed to crush the
secessionist movement is also erroneous.( Sl. No.2 &13)
Pakistan watchers also mention that
it is not advisable to negotiate with secessionists at this stage when security
forces have made them more or less ineffective and terrorists are running for
life. They also mention that Pakistan has lost credibility and there is lot of international
pressure on it and Modi government has successfully isolated it and several
Pakistan based organisations and their leaders are declared terrorists and
banned by international community.
Genesis of Kashmir dispute
The origins of Kashmir dispute lies
in the partition of India, on the basis of religion. Indian leaders wanted to
resolve the dispute peacefully but Pakistanis emboldened because of creation of
Pakistan wanted to snatch Kashmir forcibly. Hence Pakistan sent army personnel
in civilian dress as well as tribesmen in 1947 to annex Kashmir and merge it
with Pakistan. Meanwhile Kashmiri ruler Hari Singh signed the Instrument of
Accession which gave India legal right on whole of Kashmir. Indian forces
defeated Pakistani intruders but before India could win whole of Kashmir,
Indian leaders did a blunder and took Kashmir issue to United Nations
Organisation (UNO). In a resolution of August 13, 1948 UN made it clear that
Pakistan must withdraw all its forces and then India should also withdraw maximum
forces and then there should be a “free and fair” plebiscite. Pakistan knowing
well that Kashmiris do not want to amalgamate with Pakistan never withdrew its
forces hence there could not be a plebiscite nonetheless it continued blaming India
for not conducting plebiscite. Pakistan delayed plebiscite and meanwhile it
created a lobby of separatists and religious zealots and started anti-India
protests and demonstrations. In 1957
Kashmir was formally merged with India after giving a special status under
article 370 of Indian constitution. ( Sl. No 14).
At present India has full legal right
on complete Kashmir because of Instrument of Accession while Pakistan claims
J&K as of majority Muslim population and China also claims Shaksam Valley
and Aksai Chin.
Pakistan’s dubious role in Kashmir
Pakistan army which is ruling the
country directly or through civilian government since independence has
convinced the masses that India has not accepted creation of Pakistan hence the
country needs strong armed forces. Pakistan army projected itself as the
saviour of the country and also painted politicians as dishonest. Army also
propagated that it will snatch Kashmir hence it attacked India in 1947
&1965, besides these there were conflicts on Siachin and also attacked
Kargil in 1990. There was also a war between India and Pakistan in 1971 in
which it was disintegrated and Bangladesh emerged.
Pakistan sponsored secessionist
outfits, so called human right activists criticise security forces for human
right violations, when they use force including pellet guns against Kashmiri
stone pelters. These demonstrators are not innocent children but they are paid
agents of Pakistan who gather at encounter side with ulterior motive of
obstructing the cordon and search operations of security forces so that
terrorists can escape from dragnet of security forces.
The National Investigation Agency
(NIA) which was especially constituted by Central government to curb terrorism
in the country is authorized to handle terror associated offences all over
India with or without permission from states. NIA investigated that more than
28 WhatsApp groups are operated from Pakistan and they have about 5000 members.
The administrators of these WhatsApp
groups are either ISI officers or terrorist leaders sponsored by ISI and based
in Pakistan. These handlers send inflammatory and concocted messages about the
atrocities committed by security forces and also communicate the sites of
encounter between security forces and terrorists. These Pakistan paid minions gather
at encounter site and obstruct security forces so that terrorists can escape. (
Sl. No 15).
When Pakistan army failed to snatch Kashmir by force it started a low
intensity war against India and fueled insurgency in J&K. A Rand
Corporation report captioned as “Pakistan’s role in the Kashmiri Insurgency”
clearly mentioned that the nature of Kashmir struggle was changed from secular
to Islamic and local to foreign terrorists which are primarily from Pakistan’s
Punjab province. According to FBI the
rogue ISI also spent millions of dollars in United States to influence policy
makers on Kashmir issue. (Sl. No16).
According to South Asia Terrorism
Portal there are about 14 domestic terrorist organisations which includes Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan (SMP), Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Omar (LeO), Tehreek-e-Jaferia Pakistan (TJP), Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi(TNSM), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Harkat-ul-Mujahideen Al-alami(HuMA), Muslim United Army, Popular Front for Armed Resistance. Basically these organisations
carryout terrorist activities within country but several times ISI and its
sponsored terrorist outfits select terrorists and suicide squads from these
organisations and send them to Kashmir for jihad. (Sl. No17).
Besides these there are about 32
Trans-national terrorist outfits few of them were created or abetted by
nefarious ISI. The prominent outfits include All
Parties Hurriyat Conference, Jammu
Kashmir Liberation Front, Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Army, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lashkar-e-Jabbar, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtar-e-Millat, Muttahida Jehad Council,
Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Jihad
al-Islami,
Harkut-ul-Ansar, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen, Al-Badr, Al-Jehad, Al Barq, Kashmir Jihad Force, Jammu & Kashmir
Students Liberation Front, Tehrik-e-Hurriat-e-Kashmir, Muslim Mujahideen. Nevertheless
all these organisations are not active and few of them are dormant or dead.
(Sl. No 17).
Kashmir watchers mention that not
only Pakistan society but Pakistan army is radicalized up to the extent that
quite a few serving and retired officers assist, train and infiltrate
terrorists as their religious duty and not as a state policy. Following are the
main terrorist outfits which are carrying out terrorist activities in India
especially Kashmir:-
Lashkar-e-Toiba (L-e-T) which means “Army of God” and its military wing “Markaz-ad-Dawa-Wal-Irshad
is the most powerful terrorist organisation supported by ISI. The L-e-T under
instructions of ISI targets Hindus and Sikhs in J&K and carried out several
terrorist activities in the state. The L-e-T cadres were also involved in bomb
blasts as well as train derailments in the country. Intelligence sources reveal
that the units of 12th Infantry Division which is based in Murree
Hills and looks after POK actively assists L-e-T infiltrators to enter India.
L-e-T carried out several terrorist acts including large scale massacre of
Hindus and Sikhs in Jammu & Kashmir. L-e-T and Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked
Indian Parliament in December 2001, 24 Kashmiri Pandits were massacred in March
2003 and multiple bomb blasts carried out in Delhi in 2005 and in Varanasi and
Mumbai in 2006. 34 Hindus were butchered in Doda in 2006. In 2008 the outfit
attacked Mumbai in which Kasab a Pakistani national was arrested who gave
details of the nefarious activities of the terrorist outfit. (Sl. No 18).
Hussain Haqqani a noted Pakistani strategic
analyst rightly commented that L-e-T is most important terrorist outfit of
Wahhabi affiliation and Saudi Arabia is the biggest financier of Wahhabi
outfits. L-e-T propagates that Hindus
and Jews are the enemies of Islam and proclaims to establish Islamic rule in
the area. It runs more than a dozen Madrassas, hundreds of schools, several
terrorist training camps in POK and other areas. L-e-T which is banned by
several countries is still sending terrorists regularly to India especially in
Kashmir.
Jamaat-Ud-Dawah (JUD)
In view of nefarious activities of
L-e-T it was banned by several countries and perforce Pakistan has to ban it on
paper and a new organisation with name of Jamaat-ud-Dawa was constituted and
when JuD was banned Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Qibla Awal was formed. (Sl. No 19).
Milli Muslim League (MML)
Hafiz Saeed Chief of JUD has
constituted a political party with the name of Milli Muslim League (MML) on 7th
August, 2017 and applied for registration to election Commissioner. Although the
election commissioner has refused to register MML as a political party but as
extremism is growing in the country, soon election commission has to register
the party. In case the political party led by Saeed comes to power it may also
control the nuclear war-heads which may be a dangerous scenario not only for
India but for the whole world. (Sl.
No 19).
Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M)
Maulana Masood Azhar constituted J-e-M
under instructions of ISI with sole intention of creating trouble in J&K. Masood Azhar is a global terrorist but China
blocked the declaration in United Nations Security Council although all other
members of Security Council were ready to pass the resolution. The terrorists
infiltrated by Masood Azhar carried out several terrorist activities in India
especially J&K. He was the mastermind of terrorist attack on Pathankot Air
base in January 2016.
In fact names of terrorist organisations
are not important as most of these outfits are either created or financed by reprehensible
ISI and carrying out terrorist activities in neighbouring countries is a part
of Pakistan army’s foreign policy. The leaders,
financiers, cadres, training centres and catchment areas of the terrorist
outfits remain the same even the name of outfits change.
Besides creating trouble in J&K
Pakistani army has also created several terrorist outfits to carryout terrorist
activities all over India. These terrorist organisations include Brigade 313,
Indian Mujahedeen (IM), and Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) just to name
few. IM was created by Mohammed Ahmed Sidibapa alias Yasin Bhatkal in 2008 from
Karachi. The outfit allured disoriented fanatic Indian Muslims who join IM with
the object of establishing Islamic rule in the area. Few Muslim youths also
become prey of false propaganda that Muslims are persecuted in India and they
join IM to take revenge.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC)
All Parties Hurriyat Conference
(APHC) was constituted in 1993 by 26 different political, social and religious
parties so that the cause of Kashmir can be projected jointly and more
forcefully. Analysts mention that ISI was behind the formation of APHC as the
separatists can fight jointly against India. ISI regularly finance Hurriyat
leaders and they pay to stone-pelters. The stone-pelters accepted in
interrogation that they are paid Rs.400 on every Friday while few were paid
Rs.5000 to 7000 per month as per the strength of stone-thrower.
In 2010 Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and
Ghulam Muhammad Safi were elected as Chairman and convener respectively. APHC
erroneously projects itself as the sole representative of all Kashmiris.
However it knows the reality that it’s following in J&K is less than five
percent and that is the reason it boycotts the elections under wobbly pretexts.
On regular pleading of Pakistan,
Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) gave observer’s status to APHC. The
main job of APHC is to malign India and its security forces and euologise the
terrorists and secessionists for their sacrifices. ISI regularly funds APHC so
that it continues its tirade against security forces and propagate concocted
stories of human right violations.
In 2003 there was a formal split in
APHC between Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari and pro-Pakistan hardliner
Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. In 2014 there was another
split in APHC, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The APHC is losing following in the
valley as locals perceive it as Pro-Pakistan and mention that it does not want
peace. Family members of most of the top leadership of APHC reside comfortably
out of Kashmir while they constantly instigate the youths of the valley to give
supreme sacrifice. The hardliner Geelani’s one son is in Pakistan while other
son is in New Delhi and daughter and her husband are in Jeddah while Andrabi’s
son, and all family members either shifted to Pakistan or residing out of
India. The education of the young generation is suffering; tourism which is the
most important industry of the state is in jeopardy. Large numbers of youths
are unemployed. (Sl no.20)
Way Forward
It is heartening to see that after
longtime Indian policy makers are implementing a well chalked out plan under
which on one hand they are exterminating hardcore terrorists and on the other
hand also appointed a seasoned, soft-spoken and knowledgeable interlocutor to
negotiate all parties including the separatists. However there is also need to
win the confidence of masses as there are reports that although security forces
are eliminating terrorists but young Kashmiris are also joining terrorist
outfits. Well intentioned political leaders, intellectuals, patriots must
launch a campaign to convince ordinary Kashmiris about the futility of fighting
with Indian security forces. Kashmiris must be told that J&K is a
landlocked state and it is surrounded by Pakistan, China and India and it
cannot survive as an independent country.
The secessionists who are paid
minions of Pakistan want J&K to merge with Pakistan on the basis of
religion. Disintegration of Pakistan in 1971 made it clear that no country can
remain united only on the premise of religion. Kashmiris should also know about
the fate of Muslims who migrated, from different parts of India in Pakistan.
They are still called Muhajirs and treated as a third rate citizens in the
country. Residents of J&K should also compare the development and rights
with the populace of POK. The state must restore its Sufi culture and the
separatists who are propagating extremism in the state must be punished
severely. The priests of mosques who
preach fundamentalism and extremism should also be penalized.
Pakistan launched low intensity war
is damaging India financially as well as psychologically. The country spends
large amount on security forces and in the improvement of its apparatus but the
terrorist acts shake the confidence of masses in the government and in security
forces. Hence government must take a hard decision and should again resort to
surgical strike not only on launching pads but on training camps so that the
master trainers and leaders of terrorist organisations are also eliminated.
Indian forces can legally enter in POK as it is the part of India. It will
deter ISI from sending terrorists into India. Pakistan cannot afford to fight a
conventional war with India and the threat of use of nuclear weapons is a hoax
as Pakistan a small country knows full well that the country will be completely
destroyed in case of nuclear war. Indian
political leadership must make it clear that it is ready to bear the pain of
nuclear war if it does not stop infiltrating terrorists in J&K.
The Indian security forces must
enhance vigil on all the borders as in winter season Pakistan terrorists would
not able to infiltrate through J&K but will certainly try to enter India
through porous borders of Punjab where fence could not be erected or through
Bangladesh, Nepal and may be from Myanmar. The sinister ISI and its henchmen
will not allow restoration of peace and tranquility in the valley.
The next few months will be more
important as schools and colleges would be closed and harvesting of apple crop
is over, hence secessionists would try to lure unemployed youths in the valley.
The political leaders should also revamp their propaganda against secessionists
and terrorist outfits so the young Kashmiris do not join terrorist outfits.
Indian intelligence agencies should
also collect pinpointed intelligence so that operations can be planned for
surgical strikes deep inside POK as well as to eliminate terrorist leaders in
their own homeland.
The Sadbhavana rallies organised by
security forces are also welcomed by the masses and the large turnout of
Kashmiri youths in the recruitment tests of army and police is the testimony.
Besides recruitment army has also organised medical camps for animals and local
public which created goodwill for the security forces. The masses attended
these camps defying warnings of terrorist outfits. (Sl. No17).
Pakistan which claims that it is the
main victim of terrorism must stop the policy of low intensity war against its
neighbours and should try to take stringent actions against terrorists and must
end distinguishing between “good” and “bad” terrorists. Terrorist are
terrorists and they must be punished severely under the law. Terrorist training
centres run by ISI or by terrorist outfits sponsored by ISI must be smashed.
Madrassas run by ISI or by terrorist outfits must be
closed immediately as they are producing extremists, terrorists and suicide
bombers which would harm Pakistan as well as the whole world.
No movement can succeed without finance hence Indian
security forces must take severe actions against business houses render
financial assistance to secessionists. There are reports that few unscrupulous
business persons assist separatists through over and under invoicing of the
goods sent or received from Pakistan. The security forces must take actions
against these business houses as they are traitors and working against the
interest of the country.
Pakistan has waged a low intensity war against India
hence there is no harm if India also revisits Indus Water Treaty and start
taking its share of water and threaten Pakistan that if it does not amend its
ways India is also under no obligation to adhere all the terms and conditions
of the agreement.
India accorded Most Favoured Nation Status to Pakistan
in 1996 nonetheless Pakistan has not reciprocated it so far hence India can
also withdraw MFN status from Pakistan.
India must adopt stringent policy towards Pakistan and
should prevent visit of large number of Pakistani artists who perform in India
and earn large amount in the country which is for benefit of Pakistan.
Indian human right activists who always criticise
security forces about human right abuses should also be exposed as they never
condemn terrorists when they kill Indian security forces or innocent citizens
of the country.
India should also continue exposing Pakistan in
international arena as it has become the training centre of terrorists and
Pakistan trained terrorists are involved in terrorist activities all over the
world.
Indian policy makers should also look for new
leadership in Kashmir, which is beyond Pakistan supported Hurriyat leaders and
the few families who dominated the state politics and not cared much for the
interests of masses. The negotiator should also try to change the psyche of
Kashmiri as whatever favour they receive from Indian government they feel that
it is their right and government of India is doing it to keep them in their
favour. Hence it is no obligation and they must show that they are
pro-Pakistani and in that case Indian government will give them more
assistance.
Kashmir problem cannot be resolved completely without
revocation of Article 370. The central government should start national debate
on article 370 and the persons and parties who oppose them publically would
certainly be rejected by Indian masses and if majority of India wants to repeal
it, efforts should be made to fulfill the aspirations of all countrymen.
Notes and References
1. Why the BJP has changed
its stance and appointed an interlocutor for Kashmir by Rakib Altaf
Hindustan Times October 27, 2017
2. Hurriyat rejects dialogue
with Centre’s interlocutor By Saleem Pandit Times of India Dated November 1,
2017
3. Separatist leaders say
Dineshwar Sharma’s appointment as Jammu and Kashmir interlocutor is Centre’s
new tactic; will not engage in parleys First
Post October 31, 2017
4. Modi’s interlocutor will talk with
position of strength By Jai Kumar Verma
5.
Jaish Chief Masood Azhar’s nephew killed in Kashmir Had US-Made M4 Rifle
NDTV
November 07, 2017
6. South Asia Terrorism Portal
7. As forces tighten grip on them,
J&K terrorists target informers:
Pioneer dated 12.11.2017.
8. Aantakiyo ne Jari Kiya Poorva
Panchayat Pratinidhi ke pitai ka Video: Dainik Jagran dated 14.11.2017.
9. Day 2: Interlocutor Sharma meets 37
delegations: Greater Kashmir November 11, 2017
10. Intensify anti-militancy Ops in
Kashmir: Rajnath Pioneer November 16, 2017.
11. Kashmir: Appointment of interlocutor
won’t affect our operations, says Army Chief Bipin Rawat Express Web Desk
October 25, 2017
12. Role of the Pakistani Army in
sponsoring Terrorism in India and Afghanistan By Jai Kumar Verma Aakrosh July 2016.
13. Ahead of Tillerson Visit, Centre
yields on J&K dialogue : By Nayanima Basu The Hindu Business Line October
23
14. A brief history of the Kashmir Conflict Dated 24. 09. 2017 : Telegraph .co.uk
15. NIA probe unearths how
Pakistan-based groups use WhatsApp to fuel terror in Kashmir: Bharti Jain dated
July 26, 2017 Times of India
16. Kashmir Conflict from Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia
17. Terrorist and Extremist Groups of
Pakistan South Asia Terrorism Portal
18. Lashkar-e-Taiba Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
19. Hafiz Saeed to register Jamaat Ud
Dawah as political party, renames it as Milli Muslim League of Pakistan : India
Today August 3, 2017
20. All Parties Hurriyat Conference
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aviation & Defence Universe
WE
JUST REPORT FACTS, WE DO NOT CHANGE THEM
https://www.aviation-defence-universe.com/operation-all-out-is-a-success-but-alone-is-not-enough/
Operation
All-Out Is A Success :
By
JK Verma
New
Delhi. 12 January 2018.The security forces in J&K
are all out to eliminate terrorist organisations by targeting their leaders.
And Operation All Out is in full swing to reduce the number of hardcore
terrorists which was increasing rapidly. In 2017 not only several local youths
who joined terrorism were also eliminated but the number of Kashmiris attending
the funerals of slain terrorists is considerably reduced.
In a recently held press conference, Director General of Jammu
& Kashmir Police, Shesh Paul Vaid stated that Operation All Out is based on
a “holistic strategy” to take out young Kashmiris from the path of terrorism and
its object is not to exterminate terrorists but to take them back in the
mainstream. He further mentioned that few months back appeal was also made to
young Kashmiris who joined terrorism to leave this dangerous path. Field
Officers as well as parents, especially mothers came forward and large number
of ill-advised youths shunned the path of terrorism.
The security forces before launching Operation All Out chalked out
a detailed plan how to eliminate terrorists from the state. The blueprint
included all the troubled areas, have marked the main hiding places of top
commanders of terrorist outfits including Lashker-e-Toiba (L-e-T),
Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M), Hizbul Mujahdeen (HM) and Al-Badr. The intelligence
organisations with active support of local police made a list of about 258
hardcore terrorists which included 130 local Kashmiris and 128 foreign
terrorists. The well crafted list mentioned that approximately 136 terrorists
belonged to L-e-T, 95 terrorists from HM while 27 were from J-e-M. It also
segregated the terrorists districts wise and mentioned the number of hardcore
terrorists in districts like Sopore, Shopian, Awantipurea and Kupwara.
Police Chief further revealed that with the joint efforts of
parents, civil society and police 75 local youths were also successfully
persuaded not to join terrorism. The return of footballer Majid Khan from the
clutches of terrorist outfit is encouraging and may go a long way. The cases of
5500 stone-pelters are being reviewed while 4300 first-time stone pelters were
pardoned.
He also clarified that struggle against terrorism would continue
in 2018 also. The security forces have successfully eliminated 206 terrorists
including 85 locals and 121 foreign terrorists in 2017. However 31 policemen
were martyred and 24 civilians also lost their lives. More civilians were
killed as under Operation All Out, security forces cordoned and searched
(C&S) even those areas where security forces were not able to penetrate in
last two years. Without naming Pakistan the police chief made it clear that the
neighbour is continuously infiltrating terrorists.
Under Operation All Out, the security forces are eliminating the
commanders of different terrorist organisations. The list of commanders
included Abu Dujana, Junaid Mattoo, Sabzar Bhat, Bashir Lashkari, Muhammad
Yasin Itoo, Irfan-ul-Haq, Umar Majeed Mir, Sajad Gilkar just to name few. The
commanders of diverse terrorist outfits were not only carrying out terrorist
activities but were also involved in recruiting the young Kashmiris for
terrorist outfits.
In 2017 the security agencies also tightened their grip on drug
smuggling. 34 persons were arrested who were involved in reprehensible
drug-trade. There is a close nexus between drug smuggling and terrorism. The
nefarious Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is utilizing the high-level
underhand contacts of drug smuggling and the money generated through it in
spreading terrorism in India.
The comprehensive plan also included names of several support
agents who were giving shelter and providing assistance to terrorists. These
support agents were also doing reconnaissance and were also working as guides
to the terrorists especially foreign terrorists. The role of support agents is
very important and terrorists cannot function without support agents. The
security forces arrested large number of support agents and these support
agents informed security agencies about terrorists during sustained
interrogation.
In this way it became easier for security forces to haunt and
exterminate the hardcore terrorists. Besides neutralizing terrorists
within the state, security forces have also enhanced vigil on the borders and
exterminating the infiltrators. According to reports about 350 trained
terrorists are waiting near Line of Control to infiltrate.
Intelligence organisations also prepared the list of arms &
ammunition available to the terrorists and also made arrangements to seal the
places from where they were receiving the armaments. The terrorists are getting
primarily sophisticated Chinese weapons with more accuracy and increased fire
power. Besides firearms terrorists are using Chinese hand grenades also.
As infiltration and ex-filtration has become difficult due to
extra vigilance of security forces, the terrorists are imparting training to
Kashmiri youths locally. Training of fire-arms is given in thick forests while
basic physical trainings are given in towns. There are no permanent places for
training and the training places are continuously changed so that the security
forces cannot demolish them.
In past security forces have launched several operations in
Kashmir but the operations were mainly to force Pakistan army which entered
Indian territory to capture Kashmir, however the present operation is against
terrorists who want to capture Kashmir on behest of Pakistan.
L-e-T and other terror outfits assisted by ISI tarnished the Sufi
culture of J&K and foisted fundamentalist Islam in the state hence more and
more local Kashmiris are joining the terrorist outfits and now they give more
resistance to security forces than before. There is also hike in weapons
snatching from security forces and it is a cause of worry to policy planners.
It is a dangerous trend and the local political leaders, good intentioned NGOs
and administration must take decisive steps to curb this trend.
The security agencies claim that because of Operation All Out
security forces have flushed out terrorists from the congested areas where
security forces were not entering because of support of local residents to
terrorists. Now terrorists are also afraid to take shelter in these areas as
they fear that intelligence agencies may know about their presence. Not only
this previously terrorists were staying and brandishing their automatic weapons
openly just to impress the masses and showing that they were not afraid
of security agencies but now scenario has changed and the terrorists are scared
that their hiding places should not be known to security forces as they can be
eliminated.
The efforts of National Investigation Agency (NIA) of tightening
the grip over dishonest businessmen who were financing the terrorists on behest
of ISI is an excellent move and there are reports that separatists are facing
financial crunch and are not able to pay liberally to stone pelters. No
terrorist movement can function without money and these businessmen were
earning money through over and under invoicing and were financing the
secessionists.
The separatist movement in J&K which is continuing in the
state from last several years cannot be wiped out through force only hence
appointment of Dineshwar Sharma, former Chief of Intelligence Bureau as an
interlocutor with special powers is a welcomed move. Sharma has
remarkable knowledge of Kashmir dispute and will negotiate with secessionists
when terrorists are losing ground and local Kashmiris want peace as tourism has
declined. The government also announced that Operation All Out will continue
even during negotiations hence secessionists cannot utilize time of
negotiations for recouping their strength. Although Hurriyat leaders openly
declined to meet Sharma but there are reports that few secessionist leaders
have already established contact with the interlocutor.
The policy planners are also perturbed because of increase of the
influence of Islamic State (IS) in J&K. The terror outfit has successfully
glamorized the role of terrorists in the society and as fundamentalism and
radicalisation has increased in the state more and more young Kashmiris are
joining the terrorist outfits.
The secessionists show inspirational videos and audios projecting
the terrorists as Jihadists who are fighting holy war for establishing Islamic
rule in the state. There are reports that Kashmiri youths are chatting from IS
recruiters through fake identities. The IS has a vast fan following in J&K
and other terrorist outfits like L-e-T, J-u-D are following the footsteps of
IS. Kashmiri youths are also viewing the videos of Iraq and Syria where IS
fighters defeated the forces of Iraq and Syria supported by Western powers.
Local Kashmiri youths are more attracted towards IS than L-e-T, J-u-D etc.
Hence security forces must take preventive measures so that unemployed and
disillusioned youths do not join terrorist outfits.
Once peace is established in the state sincere efforts should be
made to relinquish Article 370 and article 35 A as they are the main hurdles in
restoring permanent peace in the state.
Central government is giving lot of facilities to J&K while
local Kashmiris feel that they are getting these amenities because they show themselves
as pro-Pakistan and anti-India. Government must make it clear that these
privileges are given but can be withdrawn if they continue to remain
anti-India.
The present government should continue its efforts of isolating
Pakistan and the latest statement of President Trump about freezing of US aid
to Pakistan is a great success. The financial condition of Pakistan is
precarious and if it loses US aid it will be a big jolt to the country.
(Jai
Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and a retired intelligence
officer. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted
at editor.adu@gmail.com)
THE PIONEER
Claiming Down the Valley
COLUMNISTS
CALMING
DOWN THE VALLEY
Despite
relentless assaults from separatist groups in Kashmir, small successes tell us
that security forces, the Army and the CRPF are getting a hang of the ongoing
unrest, writes Jai Kumar Verma
June 16 was another bloody Friday in Kashmir valley, where six
police personnel including a Station House Officer were martyred and two
civilians who were obstructing the security forces along with an unruly mob
were killed, while several stone pelters were injured. The Lashker-e-Tayyeba
(LeT), which took the responsibility of the ambush and killing of police
personnel, also took their arms and ammunition. Nonetheless, the forces achieved
grand success by exterminating Junaid Mattoo, a senior commander of the LeT in
a fierce encounter.
Civilians,
including a young boy, were killed when security forces surrounded Junaid
Mattoo and his accomplice in a village in south Kashmir on specific intelligence
about the presence of the terrorists. Junaid had a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his
head and was one of the most wanted terrorists in Kashmir. The separatists
instantaneously announced about the location of encounter to their paid stooges
who immediately collected at the encounter site with the ulterior motive of
creating chaos.
Security forces tried to disperse the mob but as the crowd was organised
by the paid lackeys of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan, the
protesters refused to disperse and that resulted in the death of two civilians.
It is the strategy of the separatists that the demonstrators disturb the
security forces up to the extent that they open fire and kill, which keeps the
valley boiling.
The same happened on June 16, when separatist leaders including
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq gave a strike
call and at several places protesters fought with Security Forces.
The security forces have adopted a multi-pronged strategy to
finish Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the valley. First, Jammu & Kashmir
Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Army have initiated
vigorous cordon and search operations (CASO) in the valley. As three or more
forces jointly launched the CASO, there is no dearth of manpower. Because of
more force, the stone pelters and demonstrators could not over-power the
Security Forces and the terrorists were unable to escape the dragnet of the
security forces.
Besides eliminating hardcore terrorists, the security forces are
also successfully exposing the support agents who provide shelter to
terrorists, assist them in recce of the target areas and also work as guides.
These support agents also hide arms and ammunition of the terrorists.
On the one hand, security forces are obliterating terrorists in
the valley. On the other hand, they have enhanced the patrol on the borders and
have been equipped with several latest equipment. In the past, Pakistani troops
gave cover to terrorists through firing guns and mortars which distracted
Indian security forces — but now when Pakistani troops fire, the Indian forces
retaliate with more force and it makes the infiltration difficult.
Once Pakistani troops fire, Indian security personnel
enhance the patrol, and in most of the cases either exterminate the
infiltrators or compel them to return back. According to reports, large numbers
of terrorists are waiting in Pakistan to infiltrate as the military-controlled
ISI is realising that the number of hardcore terrorists in Kashmir is dwindling
very fast.
The brave soldiers of the Indian Army gave a forceful message to
Pakistan last September, when they entered into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)
and killed about 50 Pakistanis, including terrorists, their trainers and
guides. Although the surgical strike was on terror launch pads, it was apparent
that the present Indian political leadership can take bold decisions.
The
backbone of the secessionist movement in Kashmir is the financial assistance
received by Kashmiri separatists from abroad, including Pakistan and a few
other Muslim countries. The separatists are giving a part of this ill-gotten
money to Kashmiri youth for anti-India demonstrations, shouting pro-Pakistan
slogans and stone-pelting. Nonetheless, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the sources of
financial assistance to Hurriyat leaders. Several top separatist leaders have
settled their family members outside Kashmir. The Government has provided them
with security and they receive money from abroad and lead secessionist
movements. The Government should withdraw such security cover.
The long-term measures adopted by the security forces have started
giving results. Few separatists have surrendered; very less people participated
in the death procession of Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, who was the successor to Hizbul
Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Several thousand Kashmiri youths participated
in recruitment of J&K police and few hundred Kashmiris appeared in Army’s
entrance examination defying the call of separatists. Kashmiris secretly
providing actionable intelligence against terrorists to the security forces led
to the elimination of terrorists such as Sabzar Ahmad and Burhan Wani — the
important Hizbul Mujahideen operatives.
Pakistan-sponsored separatists have transformed the Kashmir
movement from an independence movement to an Islamic movement. Now mosques are
being vigorously used for anti-India, pro-Islamist propaganda. Political
leaders as well as Union and State Governments must bring the Sufi culture back
in Kashmir. The evicted Hindus, Sikhs and secular Muslims should be persuaded
to return to their hometowns. Former servicemen should be settled in the border
areas and Imams who are allowing separatists to use mosques for their
propaganda, should be penalised.
The ruling party should immediately start a debate on the
revocation of Article 370 and the political parties who oppose the repeal on
flimsy grounds must be exposed to the Indian voters so that all nationalist
Indians realise that these elements not want the Kashmir problem to be resolved
because of vested interests. Article 370 is the biggest impediment in settling
Kashmir matter. It is discriminatory.
Both Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh and BJP president
Amit Shah, at different places, emphatically mentioned that the Government had
chalked out a long-term plan and that the Kashmir problem would be resolved
permanently at the earliest.
The Modi Government must continue with its long-term stringent
policies, and there is no need to negotiate with separatist leaders as they
work for Pakistan and will never allow peace and tranquility in Kashmir. The
security forces will soon exterminate hardcore terrorists. Once the new
terrorists fail to infiltrate, the low-grade terrorists would surrender and
peace would be restored. Once peace prevails in the valley, separatists,
so-called human right activists, religious leaders spreading hatred towards
other religions, pro-Pakistan and anti-India elements — must all be dealt with
stringently under the law.
The Government should also have a detailed plan of the development
of the State; its tourism industry, which is the main employment generator,
must be developed further. The production of fruits and dry fruits is in
shambles and needs massive investment. The Government must infuse funds in it
so that the younger generation gets employment and desists from participating
in demonstrations and stone-pelting.
(The
writer is member, United Services Institute of India, and associated with the
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses)
THE PIONEER
Challenges for security forces
The
security forces can only do their job flawlessly with the support of
Governments: That requires putting aside petty politics and coming together on
the issue, deciding a course for the wholesome change of perspective of the
youth of Kashmir
The separatists as well as their handlers in Pakistan are worried,
because now, security forces are getting actionable intelligence about the
terrorists and encircling the area, exterminating the terrorists; reducing
their numbes significantly. The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu &
Kashmir police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), all are working as a
cohesive unit against the terrorists in the State along with the intelligence
organisations which provide actionable intelligence on whose basis, security
forces launch combing operations. Then they eliminate terrorists, recover arms
and ammunition and either arrest or exterminate support agents.
In view of the stringent operations of security forces against
hardcore terrorists, the Pakistan-sponsored ones are mobilising the youth to
stand against security forces, when they are involved in operations.The
separatists eulogise the stone-pelters and paint them as heroes. They tactfully
use young people for stone-pelting and hurling abuses against security forces
and when the security forces retaliate and in the process two or three young
Kashmiris die the anti-Indian forces make a big issue and resort to
processions, strikes and attacks to propagate concocted stories of the
oppression
On March 28, security forces surrounded a house in Chadoora in
Budgam district, where one terrorist was hiding. The separatists who are
vigorously using social media, immediately flashed the information about the
encircled house and in no time a stone-pelting and abuse hurling crowd gathered
with the ulterior motive to distract the security forces so that the hidden
terrorist could escape. The security forces controlled the crowd while
exchanging fire with the holed-up terrorist. The encounter killed one
terrorist; however in stone-pelting, about 60 security personnel were
injured, and three young stone-pelters were killed, which is highest in an encounter
in 2017.
Before the Chadoora encounter, security forces eliminated two
terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen, when they attempted to ambush three police
officers in Pulwama district. One terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammed at Tral area
and two Lashkar-e-Tayyeba terrorists were also neutralised by security forces
in Padgampora a few days back. Small successes are being achieved because of
actionable intelligence as well as the political leadership’s resolve to handle
the issue
Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu & Kashmir Police, SP
Vaid, also warned Kashmiri youths, in a Press conference on March 30, that they
should not gather at the encounter site as it equates to commiting suicide. He
stated that “In the encounter, even security forces and police take cover of a bulletproof
vehicle or a house”, while the stone pelting misguided youths remained in the
open.
The stone-pelters are not innocent children; they are hired by the
ISI agents and are paid between Rs5,000 to Rs7,000 per month. The payment
depends on their strength of throwing stones. However, the organisers are paid
about Rs20,000 per month as they organise the crowd through internet and social
sights. The DGP of Jammu and Kashmir reiterated that “the moment an encounter
starts; they activate around 300 WhatsApp groups, each having more than 250
members, and other social sites like Facebook; instigating young boys to reach
the encounter site and throw stones so that terrorists escape from the spot”.
He also mentioned that few sites are operated from across the borders.
Both Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh and Chief
Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in separate statements criticised Pakistan for
assisting terrorism in the State. The Home Minster also mentioned the vigorous
use of social media in inciting youths of neighbouring villages for gathering
crowd for stone-pelting. These young stone-pelters are gathered at the
encounter site with the ulterior motive to assist the terrorists to escape.
They did not adhere to the instructions given by the security forces. Hence,
there should not be any compassion towards them and must be punished under the
law. Although the death of civilians at Budgam encounter is unfortunate, the
security forces cannot be blamed for it, as they were performing their duty
while the people killed were obstructing them, knowing well the consequences.
The resistance from stone-pelting helped a few terrorists escape
which is regrettable, but their families should see their moral growth as well,
so they do not indulge in this high-risk adventures. If they are allowed from
their homes then only they can be blamed for their misfortune.There are about
three lakh registered and unemployed people in Kashmir; hence it will not
be difficult to employ youths including children to throw stones on the
security forces.
Employment opportunities may also be created for young Kashmiris
as separatists yearn for developing a generation of anti-India and
anti-nationals. Involvement of young children in stone-pelting is a dangerous
trend as they would become felonious and would become anti-social, which would
be treacherous in the long run.
The young stone-pelters are clearly working for money. After
demonetisation, as ready cash was not available to distribute to the
stone-pelters the, action had reduced significantly.
The security forces must deal with stone-pelters
stringently, and if the latter are not controlled by ordinary laws, then they
must be charged under the Public Safety Act (PSA) under which the culprit can
be imprisoned without a trial for up to two years.
The Army and the Border Security Force should enhance the vigil at
the border because with the advent of summer, Pakistani troops have already
started the violations of ceasefire and incessantly shelling mortar bombs to
facilitate the infiltration of terrorists in India. Political leaders should
refrain from criticising security forces and should stop shedding crocodile
tears on the death of stone-pelters just for show. Unfortunately, Farooq
Abdullah, president of Jammu & Kashmir National Conference; glorified
stone-pelters and mentioned that they are fighting for their nation. These type
of statements are severely counterproductive.
Nonetheless, the Government should also chalk out a long-term
strategy to handle the Kashmir problem as the alienation is increasing in the
State, which would be dangerous in the long run. The Government should also
identify Facebook and WhatsApp accounts which are spreading separatism, and
they should be closed and people operating these accounts must be punished severely.
The Sufi culture of Jammu & Kashmir must be restored and
Kashmiri Pandits should be persuaded to return to their homes. An open minded
debate on Article 370 should help. The State Government and the Centre,
well intentioned intellectuals and NGOs should work together to reduce the
hostility of the masses and take them into confidence.
(The
writer is member, United Services Institute of India, and associated with the
Institute for Defence Studiesand Analyses)
India should be
Prepared for more Cross-Border Strikes
Jai Kumar Verma |
Date:26
Dec , 2016
South Asia Monitor
India Should Be Prepared For More
Cross-Border Strikes – Analysis
By Jai Kumar Verma*
The sinister Inter Services Intelligence
(ISI) of Pakistan and its underlings disturb law and order in Jammu and Kashmir
(J&K) on flimsy grounds. Recently, when the J&K government decided to
issue domicile certificates to the refugees who had migrated from Pakistan, the
separatists criticised the move and alleged that the government is doing so
with the ulterior motive of changing the demography of the state.
Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Prasad
clarified that the government is not giving citizenship to these refugees and
this certificate would only enable them to get jobs so that they can live
honourably. Nonetheless, the argument did not satisfy the separatists and they
indulged in protests, demonstrations and shutdowns.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Awami
Action Committee of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, and leaders of the Jammu
Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and National Conference, besides others,
alleged that the move was against the spirit of Article 370 of the Indian
constitution. These leaders have again crippled the Kashmir valley after Friday
prayers. The Mirwaiz and others gave fiery speeches and JKLF chief Yasin Malik
was then detained by the security agencies.
The law and order situation in the first
half of 2016 was relatively peaceful but the separatists were looking for an
opportunity to create unrest. Unfortunately, they got a trigger when Indian
security forces, in a joint operation, killed Hizbul Mujahideen commander
Burhan Wani on July 8. There was a reward of Rs 10 lakh on Wani, who was
posting doctored videos and photographs on the internet and was involved in
instigating the youth to join terrorist outfits. He pushed more than 100 young
Kashmiris into terrorism and was implicated in snatching of fire arms from
security forces.
The separatists took advantage of the
situation and ISI-assisted terrorist organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed,
Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen,
Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Al-Badr and, most importantly, Hurriyat leaders started a
period of demonstrations, protests and shutdowns in the state.
The separatists mobilised crowds in the
name of Islam. Curfew was imposed which continued for about 53 days, mobile
phone services were suspended and more than 82 persons, including two security
force personnel, were killed and about 5,000 people were injured.
The security forces have launched
extensive search operations in the valley and these search operations are
rendering results and the security forces are able to recover fire-arms and
kill terrorists. The influence of terrorist outfits is declining and the
ordinary civilians, who are discontented over the declining law and order
situation, provide actionable intelligence to the security forces.
The security forces must continue search
operations without giving attention to the distorted advice of so-called human
rights activists and five-star intellectuals who advocate stringent actions
against security forces in cases of alleged atrocities but are compassionate
towards terrorists.
Analysts believe that newly-appointed
Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt. General Naveed
Mukhtar would be less anti-India than their predecessors and both would work
with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in reducing the prevailing tension with India
although the process would be slow.
The policy planners in Delhi must chalk
out a comprehensive plan to tackle the Kashmir problem. First of all, both the
state and central governments, as well as nationalist political parties, should
launch an aggressive campaign in the valley to convince the masses that
Pakistan and secessionist outfits are disturbing the law and order of the state
with the ulterior motive of impeding the progress of the state which is far
ahead in economic development than Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), what
Pakistan calls fancifully “Azad Kashmir”..
Damaging school buildings is proof that
the terrorists want Kashmiri children to remain uneducated. The pitiable
condition of Balochis, Sindhis, Mohajirs, Kashmiris and Pashtuns in Pakistan is
a testimony to the fact that, except Punjabis, all others are discontented in
that country.
Government agencies should also take help
of Imams, intellectuals, patriots, press and teachers to convince the masses
about the reprehensible designs of Pakistan.
In the past, imams of mosques were
Kashmiris with Sufi ideology but now a large number of mosques are controlled
by separatists and they have surreptitiously appointed imams who are
propagating Wahhabism in the state. These newly-appointed imams sermonise
extremism and several times demonstrations are held after Friday prayers. The
government must control mosques and madrassas which are working as anti-India
centres.
The security agencies should take stringent
action against the persons and organisations that are behind the
demonstrations, pelting of stones and street violence. There was no
demonstration or pelting of stones a few days after demonetisation as there was
no cash available to the sponsors of such activities. The organisers have now
arranged currency and demonstrations and stone-throwing have again started.
The intelligence agencies should act
against the organisers of these protests who are taking advantage of the
rampant unemployment in the state and alluring the unemployed youth to join the
protests in return of paltry sums and in the name of Islam.
J&K is an integral part of India and
the law of the land must prevail. Security forces must enforce law and order
stringently although excess use of force should be avoided — but the
separatists should not be allowed to disturb peace and tranquility in the
state. Demonstrators, including children, cannot be permitted to throw stones
at security forces and, if parents are unable to stop their sons and daughters,
security forces must use force to repulse their attacks.
Induction of more army units in the valley
is a welcome move as it will enhance the confidence level of peaceful citizens.
The armed forces must minimise the infiltration and the communication system,
including road, rail and air services, should continue uninterrupted in the
state. The policy-makers should also decide whether para-military forces should
work under the armed forces for better command and control.
There must be better cohesion in multiple
intelligence agencies active in J&K and they must produce actionable
intelligence. It is always difficult to collect human intelligence in
terrorist-infested areas; hence due importance should be given to electronic
intelligence.
Indian security forces, as well as
intelligence agencies, must remain prepared for other surgical strikes which
should be deep inside POK and it should not only be on launching pads but it
should be on their training centres, so that the trainers as well as leaders of
diverse terrorist outfits get the message that if they kill innocent Indians
then their lives too are in danger and Indian forces can opt for surgical
strikes and intelligence agencies can send death squads inside Pakistan.
The low-intensity war launched by Pakistan
should not only be fought on Indian territory but should also be wrestled
inside enemy territory.
*Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst. Comments and
suggestions on this article can be sent to editor@spsindia.in
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