The recent attack on an Army camp in Uri, has forced India to mull over its options to deal with an intransigent neighbour. There are plenty of solutions, but New Delhi must not shut the doors of overt operations
Teary eyes of family members of martyred soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty at Jammu & Kashmir’s Uri sector which was recently attacked by militants, has once again compelled us to mull over our options to deal with an intransigent neighbour.
In the aftermath of the attack, hectic meetings were held between top Government officials. While somew people spewed vitriol against Pakistan, others dubbed it as a terror haven. It was imperative for India to coin an appropriate rhetoric at the UN General Assembly meet, so as to prevent Pakistan from deflecting the world’s attention from the recent cold-blooded murder of our soldiers at Uri.
But, amid the Uri issue hogging international headlines, I would like to talk about some plausible solutions which may not have captured the attention of all those concerned over the neighbour’s continued attempts to perpetrate terror on Indian soil.
That the Uri attack has sent a stinker to the Indian dispensation cannot be denied. It has compelled the ruling party to think differently because this is one of the deadliest attacks on the Army in recent years. Just as the 2001 Parliament attack shook the entire nation, so has Uri. Such attacks leave an indelible mark on the psyche of every Indian.
On the other hand, the Government has been doubly serious not just to give a befitting reply to the neighbour, but also to calm the sentiments of millions of Indians, who took to social media to air their pain and outrage.
Having served Indian police as an IPS officer in Maoist-hit Odisha districts and having strong connections with Jammu & Kashmir, I would like to throw light on the options that, if implemented, can baffle Pakistan in the long-term.
To deliberate on what I believe can be a permanent tool to perplex our neighbour, I would like to give an example — an interviewer asked a candidate: If a python has taken hold of you, which part will you touch to get rid of the grip of the huge reptileIJ The candidate replied: It’s the genital.
That Pakistan has been using the ‘K’ word to its advantage since a long time is well known, but we too have a word to mouth and that is ‘B’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mention of Balochistan during his Independence Day speech, caused sleepless nights to the Pakistan establishment. That Balochistan is the jugular vein of Pakistan, is well comprehended by Modi.
The Balochs have evinced interest to seek India’s support. This is another positive indication for India to tactically play the card than opt for a complete military solution, which is always fraught with danger, especially in the case of a nuclear-armed country which has mercenaries to fight on its behalf in both direct and indirect ways.
However, India’s stance should not be mild. New Delhi must not shut the doors of overt operations. The bellicose Hurriyats have to be tackled. They are agents of our neighbour and less of true Indians.
The ‘H’ factor is also bothering us, with Pakistan taking a stance, blaming India, that we are violating human rights in Kashmir. Hurriyat leaders are a privileged group that has been splurging on the tax payers’ money. Their forked-tongued approach and attempts to fuel anti-India sentiment in the valley, should not be addressed in a puerile manner. It is often felt that sometimes they are being pampered. In a way, our entire focus has been to keep alive the Hurriyats’ tantrums.
like Pakistan, even the Hurriyats must be isolated from all fora. And so must the miniscule chunk of people in the Kashmir valley who toe the Hurriyat’s line, probably because these people enjoy the share of personal expediency that the Hurriyat gets by exploiting India
The focus on Kashmir should also involve galvanising the Ikhwans in Kashmir. Many may wonder about this term. But the Ikhwans contributed immensely towards spearheading a movement against militancy. TheIkhwans were the army of surrendered militants who worked with the special forces in Kashmir. They fought the war with militants from India’s side.
Moreover, instead of ensuring security of the Hurriyat leaders, we should provide the same to the leaders/sarpanchas who repose faith in the Constitution of India. We can build the township and colonies of Gujjars, Bakarwals, Dogras and Kashmiri Pandits in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts of south Kashmir.
The Government, both at the Centre and the State, should work with full synergy to set up colonies for these people by providing security, and the best of amenities in various ways. We can motivate them into standing as a force for us, as these communities are known for their valiant approach and loyalty.
(The writer is Additional Director General of UIDAI. Views expressed here are personal)