Pakistan is the sole perpetrator of relentless, mindless violence against both Indian civilians and the armed forces. … These attacks are also a form of religious persecution, targeting innocent Hindu pilgrims whose only crime was their faith. – Omer Ghazi
The Pakistani state’s persistent and unapologetic use of terrorism as a tool of foreign policy against India has once again been glaringly exposed. Over the span of three days, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a disturbing surge in terror attacks orchestrated by Pakistan-backed groups, highlighting Islamabad’s relentless drive to destabilise the region. The most harrowing of these attacks occurred on June 9, when The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for a brutal assault on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi district. This heinous act resulted in nine deaths and 33 injuries, and was chillingly declared by the TRF as merely the “beginning of a renewed start”, with explicit threats of more violence against tourists and non-locals. This incident has necessitated a massive search operation and a bolstering of security measures, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) stepping in to investigate.
Following closely on the heels of the Reasi massacre, two Pakistani infiltrators launched an attack on villagers in the Saida-Sukhal village of Kathua district on June 11. Posing as individuals in need of water, these terrorists aroused suspicion and subsequently opened fire when confronted, injuring a civilian. The confrontation escalated, culminating in the death of one terrorist who attempted to hurl a grenade at the police.
The violence continued unabated with a late-night assault on June 12 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, where terrorists attacked a joint check-post of police and Rashtriya Rifles in the Chattargala area. This attack left six security personnel injured and ignited an ongoing encounter in the higher reaches of the region. Merely hours later, another terrorist strike in Doda’s Gandoh area resulted in injuries to a policeman, marking the second terror-related incident in Doda within 24 hours and the fourth across Jammu and Kashmir in three days.
These consecutive and coordinated attacks serve as a stark reminder of Pakistan’s insidious strategy to export terror and disrupt peace in India. Despite international condemnation and the designation of groups like TRF as terrorist organisations by India in 2023, Islamabad continues to nurture and deploy these proxies to wage its asymmetrical warfare. Such actions not only endanger lives but also aim to destabilise the socio-economic fabric of Jammu and Kashmir, proving once again that Pakistan’s commitment to fostering terrorism is undeterred by the boundaries of morality or international law. The global community must recognise and condemn Pakistan’s role in perpetuating this cycle of violence and hold it accountable for its ongoing support of terrorism.
This also needs to be underscored that victims of these attacks are not mere statistics; they are real people with their dreams and families. Among the nine killed in the Reasi district bus attack were four members of a family from Jaipur, including a two-year-old boy, and two cousins from Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh.
On that fateful evening, the bus driver sensed that the man was a terrorist. Refusing to stop and determined to protect his passengers, he sped up, even as the terrorist fired at him. Fatally shot in the head, the driver kept control until he could no longer, at which point the conductor took over. Tragically, the conductor was also shot dead, and the bus plunged into a gorge. Their heroic efforts saved many lives, preventing an even greater tragedy.
These attacks are also a form of religious persecution, targeting innocent Hindu pilgrims whose only crime was their faith.
These Pakistani terrorists are able to infiltrate regions of Jammu and Kashmir with the support of the local Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and aided by well-concealed hideouts. The recent wave of attacks in Kathua, Doda, and Reasi starkly mirrors the terror-stricken districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, and Anantnag in South Kashmir. The eerie similarity in the intensity and frequency of these attacks underscores a deliberate and sinister effort by Pakistan to extend its nefarious influence and terror activities deeper into Jammu. The coordinated nature of these strikes reveals a chilling strategic intent to destabilize the entire region and spread fear among its inhabitants.
We must not allow Pakistan to turn Jammu into another South Kashmir. The resilience and resolve of the people, coupled with a robust and uncompromising security response, are crucial to thwarting this agenda. Strengthening intelligence networks, enhancing community vigilance, and fostering greater cooperation between security forces and local populations are imperative. The sacrifice of those who have fallen to these cowardly acts of terror must not be in vain; it must strengthen our resolve to eradicate terrorism from its roots.
The terror outfit ‘Kashmir Tigers’ not only claimed responsibility but also proclaimed via a leaflet: “The war will continue till the freedom of Kashmir.” Enough has been said about the absurdity of this dream of an Azad Kashmir, enough innocent blood has been spilt on this cause; however, the aimless struggle continues.
Author-cum-journalist Rahul Pandita’s observations shed light on a critical aspect of this infiltration: the use of tunnels along the international border in Jammu. These tunnels, repeatedly undetected, have facilitated the entry of terrorists, including the mastermind of the Pulwama attack and a major Jaish operative who later fled to Pakistan.
N.S. Jamwal, the inspector general of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Jammu, elaborates on the strategic significance of these tunnels. According to Jamwal, the aim of these tunnels and drones is to bypass the interception lines along the border. The Samba sector, with its low water table, is particularly suited for tunneling. Pakistani forces leverage satellite imagery to select optimal tunneling routes. The process is sophisticated: Pakistani army engineers and scientists dig beneath the border fence, past BSF fortifications and patrols, to emerge in Indian territory. The Pakistani side remains unkempt, allowing foliage like sarkanda or elephant grass to obscure their activities. These tunnels, termed “engineering marvels” by Jamwal, represent a disturbing collaboration between the Pakistani army, its engineers, and scientists, further emphasising the calculated nature of Pakistan’s terror strategy. This sophisticated approach to infiltration demands a robust and innovative response to protect Jammu from becoming another battleground for terror.
A troubling aspect of the ongoing conflict in Jammu and Kashmir is the presence of certain media figures and academics on the Indian soil who, whether intentionally or inadvertently, serve as unpaid agents of the Pakistani state. These individuals persistently peddle the narrative that India and Pakistan are equally at fault in the region’s turmoil. Such a portrayal is not only misleading but also dangerously obfuscates the reality of Pakistan’s role as the primary instigator of violence.
The truth is unequivocal: Pakistan is the one-sided perpetrator of relentless, mindless violence against both Indian civilians and the armed forces. From cross-border terrorism facilitated through sophisticated tunneling operations to the backing of terror outfits like The Resistance Front (TRF), Pakistan’s involvement is direct and undeniable. The recent spate of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives, exemplifies this grim reality. It is imperative to confront this false equivalence head-on, recognising and calling out the malicious intent behind Pakistan’s actions. Only by acknowledging Pakistan’s sole responsibility for this violence can we hope to galvanise a unified response that upholds justice and peace for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. – Firstpost, 18 june 2024
› Omer Ghazi takes a special interest in history, culture and geopolitics.
Filed under: india, pakistan | Tagged: india-pakistan border, india-pakistan relations, islamic terrorism, kashmiri separatists, state terrorism | Comments Off on Terrorism: Pakistan’s unilateral aggression in Jammu and Kashmir – Omer Ghazi
