Jaibans Singh
Terrorists have struck in multiple areas of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (JKUT) in recent times.On 9 July, 2024, terrorists attacked a joint patrol of security forces covering the remote Badnota region of district Kathua leaving five army personnel dead and five more injured. A day after, an encounter was reported in the Doda district in the foothills of the Pir Panjal range. On the Night of July15/16, terrorists ambushed an army patrol in the remote Desa forest of Doda region which led to the killing of four brave soldiers of the army including one officer. Earlier, six terrorists were killed across two separate encounters in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. The encounters also claimed the lives of two soldiers. A month earlier, on 9 June, terrorists had killed nine persons and injured 33 in Reasi who were part of a party going on a religious pilgrimage. There are other instances also.
The areas South of the Pir Panjal mountain ranges (Kathua, Reasi, Doda) have been free of terrorism for more than a decade now, for which reason, this development is a reason for concern. The terrorist attack in Reasi on 9 June coincided with the swearing-in ceremony, in New Delhi, of Shri Narendra Modi as prime minister of India for a record third time. The recent Kathua attack also coincided with the death anniversary of Burhan Wani, a poster boy of the Hizbul Mujahideen who was killed in South Kashmir on 8 July 2016.By choosing significant dates for attacks and by increasing terrorist activity in the area South of the Pir Panjal mountain range, the terror mongers based in Pakistan are sending clear messages to India.
The first message is that they hold the capacity to strike at a time and place of their choosing. The second message is that the area south of the Pir Panjal that had been declared free of terrorist activity by the Indian Army about a decade earlier can and has been reactivated with strength.
What is visible now in Pakistani policy is a trend to push local militants to the forefront to give the violent activity a more home-grown face in order to avoid international pressure. The responsibility for the Doda attack has been taken by a group that calls itself Kashmir Tigers. It has been identified as an offshoot of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan based terrorist group. New terror groups have also come up claiming to be behind some of the attacks. This aspect presents new challenges.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed deep anguish over the killing of the soldiers. In the aftermath of both the Kathua and the Doda attack he has used the social media platform Twitter (now X) to offer condolences and give assurances. Post Kathua he asserted that the armed forces are determined to usher in peace in the region. Post Doda he has said that counter terrorist operations are underway and our soldiers remain committed to eliminate the scourge and restore peace in the region. His statement falls short of giving a warning to Pakistan, also, while focussing on peace he has admitted that there is a “scourge of terrorism” in all areas across JKUT.
Surprisingly, no statement has emanated from the media set-up of the Indian army except for small condolence messages on the twitter (now X) handle of its Additional Directorate General, Public Information (ADGPI). The newly appointed Chief of Army Staff has chosen to remain silent.
The foregoing gives an indication that the government is not ready to open its cards about the options that can be considered as a response to the growing cult of violence and terrorism in JKUT where terrorists are successfully demonstrating, once more, their presence and capability to strike in all parts of the UT. In particular, silence is being maintained about the strategy to deal with Pakistan.
The recent surge in terror attacks in the Jammu division is a matter of deep concern. Recurring incidents of security forces being ambushed have resulted in casualties, which is unacceptable for a highly trained and professional force like the Indian Army. This calls for stricter adherence to standard operating procedures and improved operations.
It is necessary to take note of the many terrorist strikes that have taken place in Kathua and its surrounding areas over the last few decades. In 2002, three militants attacked a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus and killed seven people. The terrorists then entered the family quarter of the Army and fired indiscriminately at the inmates, killing 23 persons, including 10 children, eight women and five Army men.
In September, 2013, three heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists attacked a police station in Hiranagar and an Army camp in Kathua and Samba, killing 10 people, including four policemen and an Army officer. In March 2014, terrorists killed two civilians and one Army personnel in Kathua. In March 2015, terrorist struck in Kathua yet again
On 10 February 2018, at predawn, Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists attacked an Indian Army camp in Sunjuwan, Jammu. Six soldiers, three attackers and one civilian were killed and 20 injured including 14 soldiers, and five women and children.
The above and other incidents of violence in the specific region of the UT south of the Pir Panjal are a chilling reminder of the determination of the inimical forces to keep the flame of terrorism alive in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir. They are a clear indication that the terror masters sitting abroad are attempting to find new, innovative methods to fructify their nefarious agendas.
As of today, 18 July, there is a massive manhunt going on in the Doda region to flush out the terrorists. The local Village Defence Committees have joined the forces in the effort, which is a positive sign. Undoubtedly the Army will clear the area, but, what is required is a long term perspective to deal with the situation.
Pakistan may say that all terrorist activity in JKUT is indigenous but the ground reality is that the neighbouring country has decided to increase its terrorist foot print south of the Pir Panjal and has succeeded to do so. The possibility of a big infiltration from the traditional routes, be it the Ujh river bed in Kathua, Krishna Ghati in district Poonch and others cannot be ignored.
It is, therefore, necessary to strengthen vigilance along the Line of control and the International border. There is a need to look for the very apparent gaps in local intelligence and bridge the same with alacrity. Also, technology is helping terrorists plan their attacks and strike with precision. It is an aspect that cannot be ignored. The need for an expansive Unified Command has never been felt more than now, it is up to the Lieutenant Governor of JKUT to take initiative in this direction.
Weakening of the counter terrorism grid in JKUT, especially in the Jammu region is a major cause for this terrorist activity gaining a footing. While the Rashtriya Rifle presence has been decreased for political and other reasons, the necessary filling of the gaps with well trained Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) has not taken place.
The tendency of the government to look at the situation in JKUT purely from the political point of view does not synchronise with the aims and objectives of the neighbouring country. There is ample reason to accept the fact that after 10 years of avowed muscularity, our goal to put an end to terror in J&K remains unaccomplished. The politics too need to be directed to a people friendly approach towards the people of the affected region who are feeling neglected.
It is not without reason that security experts and other sane voices are in agreement that the time is yet not right in Jammu and Kashmir for any change in the security paradigm and that tinkering with the AFSPA or suggesting other such options will have grave security implications. A course correction at a war footing is the need of the hour.
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