Afia Ambreen
On February 14, a convoy of vehicles carrying Indian security personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber at Lethpora (near Awantipora) in the Pulwama district of Indian Held Kashmir. The attack resulted in the death of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attacker. The attack has been claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammad, a proscribed organisation. And once again, there are allegations from across the border as there have been in previous such strikes where India’s security personnel in occupied Kashmir have been targeted that those who planned the attacks had links with the Pakistani state, a charge that Pakistan has vigorously denied. In fact, the Pakistan Foreign Office has condemned the attack, saying that it was “a matter of grave concern”.
The Indian media reported that the suicide car-bomber Aadil Ahmad Dar used more than 750 pounds of explosives against the military convoy he targeted. Ironically Indian military commander, Lt Gen D.S. Hooda says “It is not possible to bring such massive amounts of explosives by infiltrating the border.” Gen Hooda, who commanded the Indian army’s Northern Command during a similar crisis in September 2016, told The New York Times that “the material may have been taken from stashes of explosives” being used to broaden the Jammu highway where the attack occurred. The newspaper also noted that India’s options for putting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan were limited, so were its options for a military response. Diplomatic observers in Washington pointed out that the United States will also not like to isolate Pakistan, particularly now when it’s playing a key role in US-Taliban talks. A semi-official US media outlet, Voice of America, reported that American and Taliban officials are set to meet in Islamabad on Monday for a new round of direct peace negotiations aimed at paving the way for a political settlement to the war in Afghanistan. The NYT report also hinted that the bomber might have been motivated by domestic reasons to carry out the attack.
Importantly, the young suicide bomber in the Pulwama attack was a native of IHK. For many years now, India’s increasingly strong-arm, brutal tactics in IHK have alienated the local population who has had no need of outside help to vent their anger and frustration. Young Kashmiris are taking up the gun and attacking symbols of the Indian establishment. They have been met with a hail of bullets but have not been deterred. There have been several instances of students, academics and intellectuals choosing the path of armed struggle, mainly because they see no other way to resist the atrocities unleashed by the Indian military machine.
However, timing of the incident is quite significant as Pakistan is hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on 17 Feb and Kulbhushan Yadav case at international Court of Justice is also scheduled on 18 Feb. Mohammed bin Salman is also scheduled to visit India after Pakistan visit. The incident is expected to be used to malign Pakistan as terror sponsoring country and India a victim country. Indian media and BJP are creating hype and possibility of some more mischievous activity or unprovoked firing on LoC/Working boundary, terror activity in Pakistan through Indian proxies, can be expected as Modi has reacted in jingoistic words that sacrifices shall not go in vain. Moreover, Indian deep state wanted to create hurdles for “unstoppable indigenous Intifada of Kashmiri people”.
On the other hand, a complete shutdown is being observed in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK) against the harassment and attacking of Kashmiri citizens in India and the Valley over the past two days. According to a report by Al Jazeera, since Thursday, dozens of Kashmiris have been threatened, assaulted or forced to vacate their residences. In the city of Jammu, IOK, suspected Hindu arsonists attacked the vehicles and residences of Kashmiri and Muslim citizens, the Kashmir Media Service reported. Moreover, Kashmiri students studying in colleges in India’s Haryana, Dehradun, Chattisgarh and Meerut also reported being harassed and attacked by Hindu mobs.
Indian deep state and BJP government has been attempting to neutralize/defame the indigenously propelled strengthening rebellion of IOK people. Moreover, anti Muslim and anti Pakistan cards seems a favorite theme for resurrection of fading popularity of BJP. Recent imposition of Governor Rule and Presidential Rule in IOK also provided conducive atmosphere for all sorts of false flag operations. The fact remains that until Delhi backs down from its militarised approach to the Kashmir issue, the violence will continue. Brutality will only beget more violence. It is only through the path of negotiations involving Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris that the stand-off can be resolved. But for that India will have to shed its rigidity and recognise that Kashmir is indeed a disputed territory a reality the international community affirms.
