Security must be tightened across J&K
The violent surge of protests in some pockets of Jammu & Kashmir in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Muzahideen commander Burhan Wani last week is a simple case of unrest created by people with the full support of the Pakistani Government. In fact, how Pakistan is aiding and abetting terror elements in the State is clear from the official statement released by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, calling the militant a ‘Kashmiri leader' and accusing the Indian security forces of ‘extrajudicial killing'. Further, the statement underlines such acts as highly condemnable, leading to violation of the fundamental rights of Kashmiris. Pakistan must understand that it has been globally recognised as a hub for jihadis. Fuelling tensions in India, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, cannot match the power of the mighty Indian state. Why is Pakistan repeatedly trying to make unrest in Jammu & KashmirIJ Why is it not bothered to crackdown on all jihadi forces harbouring in the countryIJ Pakistan which is consistently attempting to push Kashmir to a boiling point is either enabling support from a section of disgruntled elements directly or indirectly from the Sate or from anti-national elements across the country.
But beyond this, the sudden spurt of terror activities or open support for militants and trying to stall counter-insurgency operations of security forces by pelting stones and huge rallies in support of dead militants (latest being Wani) is disturbing for both the Governments of Narendra Modi at the Centre and Mehbooba Mufti in the State. As the Union Government is calling for calm, apart from the Home Minister Rajnath Singh offering all possible assistance to Mufti, and simultaneously, the State Government urging mainstream political parties, separatists and parents of children coming out for protest, helping to restore peace is laudable.
Modi Government must send a strong signal to Pakistan that it has no business in Jammu & Kashmir instead of telling the whole world that the latter is an integral part of the country. Pakistan must be exposed at all international forums as a state which is sponsoring jihadis, especially against India. The international community must realise that Pakistan is a fertile ground for terror activities and is creating unrest across the sub-continent starting from Afghanistan to the Maldives and now fast spreading to Bangladesh. Despite being a victim of terrorism, Pakistan is harbouring and financingjihadi groups like the Taliban, Al Qaeda, Jaish-e-Muhammad etc and may be quietly offering space for the Islamic State as well. Indian security forces should counter all the perpetrators of violence with an iron fist. Even at the peak of the 2008 and 2010 street agitations, there was no attempt to attack minority colonies or destroy their properties in the valley but now people are challenging security installations at the cost of their lives. Therefore, the Government must call for a fresh review of the ground situation as early as possible and there should be no delay or hesitation on pounding on militants across the State. However, the security agencies must see that ordinary civilians are safe, and should always be taken into confidence for sure.