Pakistan’s tip-off good, but leT, JeM flourish
The terror alert for Maha Shivratri celebrations in Gujarat and across north and west India highlights three issues: First, the rare security cooperation between India and Pakistan despite the fact that the bilateral isn't in its best form; second, the gaps in India's border security that remain despite repeated terror attacks from Pakistan; and third, Pakistan's continued role as a terror haven despite its public pronouncements to the contrary. In the first case, Pakistan's National Security Advisor lieutenant-General Naseer Janjua reportedly called his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval to share intelligence of a possible 26/11-style attack on religious sites and processions in Gujarat. This warning, though not particularly detailed, has led to the deployment of the National Security Guard and police mobilisation in Gujarat as well as security being tightened in Delhi, lucknow, Jaipur, Vijayawada, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Panaji. The last time India and Pakistan cooperated in this manner was in 2003 when Indian intelligence officials alerted their Pakistani counterparts about a possible assassination attempt by rogue Jaish-e-Mohammed militants on General Pervez Musharraf who was then President. Since then, there have been some attempts to set up joint anti-terror mechanisms but without success. More recently, it seems like NSAs Doval and Janjua have established a strong working relationship although only time will tell of its resilience.
The second issue is that of India's border security. It is deeply worrying that terrorists have been able to slip into the country despite a series of attacks in recent months (Pampore, Pathankot, Gurdaspur) and several warnings of an increase in Pakistan-sponsored militancy. Just a few days ago, a terror-tunnel from Pakistan was discovered in the RS Pura sector of Kashmir, which should have raised red flags. Also, in Gujarat specifically, an attack has been feared for the past four months, since abandoned fishing boats were found in anullah along the border. Clearly, the entire International Border has been activated. And yet it was only last week that the Government set up a panel to look into better border fencing in Punjab — three months after the Pathankot attack and eight months after the Gurdaspur attack in that State.
The final issue is that of Pakistan continuing to run with the hare while hunting with the hounds. Hence, while the NSA cooperation must be seen as a positive development, one must keep an eye on the larger picture. Pakistan's relationship with religious extremists and the role they play in Pakistan's policy towards India hasn't changed one bit. The current NSA-level cooperation, welcome as it may be, is mostly the result of Indian (and American) diplomatic pressure. Had Pakistan truly turned a new leaf, its Army would have prohibited the militants from crossing the border. Instead, it has reactivated the JeM with militants who have been diverted from the badjihad at home to the good jihad against India.