Three Army personnel martyred fighting terrorists in J&K; again, the finger points to Pak
In a disturbing incident, three Army personnel, including a Colonel commanding a battalion, a Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Jammu & Kashmir Police, died in a gunfight with terrorists in the upper reaches of Kokorenag in the Valley. Col Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Maj Ashish Dhonack and Deputy Superintendent Humayun Bhat were killed in the gunfight that ensued in the Garol area of Anantnag district early on Wednesday. The banned Resistance Front, believed to be a shadow group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has claimed responsibility for the attack. It is believed to be a “big day offensive”, when terrorists are typically known to escalate violence in J&K before and during a major event; in this case, the fourth anniversary of the revocation of Article 370. Over three years since 2021, J&K has recorded 29 military fatalities from terror attacks, including 13 this year alone, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region’s security landscape. It is the third major terrorist attack in J&K on our military this year, following the death of 10 soldiers on April 20 and May 5 in the two frontier districts of Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region. "In solemn tribute to the unwavering valor of Col Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak & DSP Humayun Bhat who laid down their lives leading from the front during this ongoing operation. Our forces persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle 2 LET terrorists including Uzair Khan," Kashmir Zone Police have stated on X.
The presence of groups like LeT has been a constant source of contention in India-Pakistan relations. Such organisations have carried out innumerous attacks on Indian soil, leading to great loss of lives and property, and derailing diplomatic initiatives. Pakistan's continued association with such entities hampers the prospects for peaceful dialogue and resolution of longstanding issues. Besides, Pakistan's inability or unwillingness to rein in the non-state actors has not gone unnoticed of late on the international stage. Pakistan's commitment to counter-terrorism is vehemently questioned, leading to the country’s isolation on certain international fora. While these non-state actors may have been originally formed to serve specific agenda, they have since become a grave security threat to Pakistan itself. Over time, they have morphed into multifaced organisations that often operate outside the state's control. These groups not only challenge the writ of the Government but also perpetrate violence and instability within Pakistan, undermining its own stability. It is high time Pakistan reined in its non-state actors who indulge in such nefarious activities. Oftentimes, the Pakistan army is behind these elements, supporting them and even training them to launch attacks on India. Pakistan must understand that terrorists cannot be controlled and, as in the past, they can turn against their own. Pakistan today is already in a precarious condition, fighting a proxy war against India is not going to help it in any way.