commanders of the LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen, have been eliminated this year. The shift in
Jammu & Kashmir policy is clear
Jaibans Singh
The Centre, in concert with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, has put in place a vibrant policy to deal with the sensitive situation in Kashmir. It has adopted a clear-cut
posture and is working on it with a transparent approach.
Significantly, despite setbacks and political pressure, the leadership continues to exude rare confidence. It is quite sure that its efforts will give the desired results of ushering peace and development in the trouble-torn region sooner than later.
The multi-pronged policy is designed to carry out the primary agenda of development along with a strong riposte to the cult of terrorism, violence and disruption. To this effect, the policy has been translated into a number of actions on ground.
The development agenda is efficiently laid out to create self sufficiency while moving towards gainful employment. Empowerment at the grass roots is a strong part of this agenda where significant success has been achieved.
The nefarious activities of Pakistan are being countered with strengthening the Line of Control to completely seal off infiltration; punishing Pakistan for its military, political and diplomatic misadventures and exposing its evil designs to the international community.
The remnants of terrorism in the hinterland of the Kashmir Valley are being actively engaged and eliminated despite all odds the intention of clearing the region of the scourge of terrorism before the end of this year is quite visible.
In the realm of dialogue the Government has, despite pressure from many quarters, maintained a righteous stand of not opening talks with separatist, secessionist and criminal elements on their terms. Of course, the door has been kept open for reasonable dialogue but only if there is a practical agenda on the table.
Now that a fair degree of pressure is being applied on Pakistan, it is becoming apparent that the country lacks the stamina for a stretched fight.
The Pakistan Army is desperate to stop the massive punishment being meted out by Indian forces along the LOC and has spoken in this regard quite openly to the Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO). This, after Pakistani media reports, based on
figures provided by the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), has come out with alarming figures of casualties being suffered due to Indian firing. More than 800 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in this firing, according to the NDMA report.
On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
successfully convinced world leaders to come together in the fight against terrorism and Pakistan has been universally identified as the chief global sponser of terror. Pakistan, as such, is becoming quite isolated
worldwide as its perfidy gets exposed more and more.
Declaration of Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist by the US has come as a very big blow to Pakistan. Salahuddin, a Kashmiri Muslim from Srinagar-based in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), has since long been used by Pakistan’s notorious Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) as a stooge to further sponsorship of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.
At the behest of his masters, he had recently gone ballistic on Pakistani television to say that declaration by US about him as a global terrorist, would make no difference. He and his masters have clearly missed the woods for the trees! The declaration does not make any difference to his status which is that of a stooge and a spent force. It, however, reinforces the stigma on Pakistan of harbouring terrorists. By boasting that he can spread terror in India at will, Salahuddin is harming the interest of Pakistan all the more.
India has received unequivocal support from Israel in her fight against Pakistan sponsored terror during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country. This is yet another by diplomatic blow to Pakistan.
Counter-terrorist operations in the hinterland in Kashmir spearheaded by the Indian Army and conducted with complete support of Jammu-Kashmir Police (JKP) and paramilitary forces have witnessed astounding results.
Reports suggest that more than 90 terrorists, including senior commanders of the LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen, have been eliminated in this year of which most of them were killed in the last month and a half.
When terrorists of local origin come in the dragnet of the security forces, people gather into a crowd, pelt stones and interfere in the operation in a desperate bid to save them. The security forces have complete sanction from the government to carry on with their work regardless of this interference. Pressure from the media and other political avenues is not being allowed to play on the minds of the security forces in pursuance of their duties. Of course, standard operating procedures are in place to keep the locals at bay while ensuring their safety.
Quite clearly, the government has the will and determination to take the battle into the enemy’s turf while exposing the duplicity on those who nurture anti-national ideologies A segment of the media is trying its level best to somehow mute down the pressure with a “cry wolf” approach and terming the policy as tough and inflexible. If seen outside the prism of self serving politics and with
application of a deeper understanding, the modus operandi comes across as firm, unambiguous and righteous. Most importantly, it is producing the desired results. Thankfully the Government is steadfast and resolute in following the chosen path!
The manner in which conditions are unfolding brings about a realisation that Kashmir is once again at a cross road!! The earlier situation was marked with ambiguity, where the government, the separatists, the terrorist and Pakistan had their individual space; none interfered with the other and each held on to his turf. Today the region is witnessing a fast paced and dynamic evolution of events, wherein, the
government is exhibiting a rare will to disrupt the status quo.
Whether it is for the better or otherwise cannot be legislated; what is quite certain is that things will not be the same again.
(The writer is a security analyst)
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