Security, not politics, must determine response
Monday's terror attack in Punjab's Dinanagar town in the frontier district of Gurdaspur, along the Jammu & Kashmir border, could indicate a marked escalation in Pakistan's efforts to foment trouble in India. Preliminary reports suggest that the attack had been carried out by the lashkar-e-Tayyeba with support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency. If correct, then this is the first time in many years that Pakistan-sponsored terrorists are again trying to gain a foothold outside their traditional trouble-spots in Kashmir.
There was a time in the 1980s and 1990s when Punjab was under the shadow of the Pakistan-sponsored terror umbrella; the Khalistani separatist movement, for example, received active support from the ISI. However, since the Indian Government crushed the Khalistanis, Punjab has remained peaceful. In Jammu & Kashmir too, militancy has lost its allure and the State is slowly but steadily moving towards normalcy. It was only a matter of time, therefore, before Pakistan turned up the heat again. And so, it comes as no surprise that since 2013, the ceasefire agreement for the line of Control has effectively been observed only in the breach, with constant provocative firing from Pakistan. Also, during this time, particularly through 2014, Pakistan has sought to move the conflict theatre from the line of Control in Kashmir to the International Border in Jammu.
The reason is simple: The IB is easier to infiltrate as it does not have the kind of counter-insurgency measures in place that have made the loC virtually impenetrable. In recent months, Indian forces have strengthened their guard in this sector as well. Hence, Pakistan is now again shifting the action theatre, further south, deeper into Punjab. Not only is the border here more porous than in Kashmir, the State still harbours remnants from past militancy movements.
These are not enough to ignite a full-blown insurgency (at least not yet), but add existing socio-political problems like drug running to the mix, and there is just enough material to create trouble. This is where Indian forces need to step in a decisive manner and nip the problem in the bud. We know that the ISI is seeking to recruit gullible Punjabi youths in India and abroad, and Monday's attack only underlines the urgency of countering Pakistan's Punjab strategy. The Army and paramilitary forces are responsible for securing the borders but the intelligence agencies will also have to pull up their socks — Monday's attack was only partly foiled, claiming the lives of several civilians and military personnel alike.
Another area of concern here is the politicisation of terror attacks. It is unacceptable that even as security personnel were battling the terrorists, politicians were already pointing fingers and trying to score easy brownie points. Congress, as the lead Opposition, criticised the Punjab Government and the Centre while the party’s youth leaders demonstrated in front of Government offices. Parliament was also adjourned yet again. It is no one's case that the Opposition give the Government an easy pass. No, it should hold the ruling coalition accountable but it needs to do so in a constructive and responsible manner, particularly in cases involving national security.