It was 3 am in the morning and I had many questions on my mind. Of all the questions, I paid particular attention to one. Will India prevent terror attacks from taking place in the immediate days to come? The surgical strikes the Indian army had conducted across the LoC were a timely response by India, which were not only seen as avenging the Uri attack but also as a bold move against terror attacks in general. I couldn’t agree more with the Indian army’s decision to conduct surgical strikes in PoK. Yet, what scared me was the aftermath. What is the point in attempting to safeguard the spirit of territorial integrity and national security like this, if it doesn’t prevent infiltration in Kashmir?
According to the Indian Express, Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz said in the Parliament that Pakistan is fully capable of defending its border and will not accept any “Indian influence or hegemony” under any circumstance. He said to the Parliament, “We are ready for dialogue with India on the condition that Kashmir dispute is also included in it.”
He said, “Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmiris right to self-determination which is totally indigenous and led by the Kashmiri youth.” He further added, “We would continue extending political, diplomatic and moral support to them (Kashmiris) on international and bilateral forums.”
India and International Terrorism
Addressing the menace of global terrorism and its activities is of paramount importance for the international community. Along with globalisation, [envoke_twitter_link]international terrorism has gained considerable momentum in spreading its tentacles[/envoke_twitter_link]. It has ushered in a new type of threat that is more sudden, covert, and more deadly than conventional war. “International terrorism has created a new type of security threat which is more covert, sudden, undeclared, and more dangerous than the conventional warfare,” writes Vinay Malhotra in his book ‘International Relations – 3rd revised edition’.
“This new threat is aimed at cities, busy business centres and markets, government offices and buildings, political leaders, bureaucrats, and civilian population in addition to police and military personnel. No one can predict possible scenario of a terrorist attack,” observes Malhotra.
Terrorism is often adopted by a weaker nation as an instrument of state policy – to resort to proxy war, surrogate warfare, low-intensity aggression and much more. Pakistan has been alleged of having resorted to terrorism as a state policy to intimidate and to disturb India’s security, especially in Kashmir. The governments in Pakistan, Libya, and Afghanistan in the past have resorted to state-aided terrorism. Such nations vouch for terrorism by funding raw materials, capital, passports, sanctuaries, arms, and other facilities to weaken other states. The Indian government passed the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002 to counter the menace of terrorism.
Of late, India has increased its defence budget. It is furthermore strenuous for India to curb terrorism in the country since many organisations, stakeholders, and terror sympathisers are funding such activities. [envoke_twitter_link]To curb terrorism completely, India must uproot the various organisations [/envoke_twitter_link]which have been funding terror groups while maintaining stricter border patrol and deploying more forces with modern equipment and weapons.
Troubled Days Ahead Or Good riddance – You Decide
Despite the troubled days and the unfortunate loss of lives, demonetisation, in some form, was essential for India to address the dent in Kashmir – and also essential for India to limit terror activities, not only to curb black money hoardings.
It may not decrease the intensity of Indo-Pak tension, but it may very well put limitations on funding terror organisations. It may deter the activities of terrorists at the LoC from troubling Kashmir. And this deterrence is the chief element of India’s anti-terror drive in the subcontinent. In the recent times, the J&K High Court had taken suo moto cognizance when unidentified agents set ablaze at least 27 schools in the valley during the unrest.
Owing to the insecurities prompted by Pakistan and China, India’s appetite for defence spending has not reduced. Meanwhile, Pakistan and China, both nuclear powers, have been obtaining raw materials and finished products in both the economy and defence arena for their aspirations to prevail.
The surgical strikes in September following the Uri attack and demonetisation are worth mentioning.
Internal aggression – A Challenge For The Modi-Led Government
The Modi government should very well detect the schemes of Pakistan and terror organisations in the Kashmir valley if it wants to prevent the resurgence of another Burhan Wani. A 21-year-old commander of Hizbul Mujahideen who was killed a few months back appears to be a great success for the terrorists in undermining harmony in the Kashmir valley. That is exactly what they had wanted. Burhan Wani was the brainchild which had been developed by the Hizbul Mujahideen to create mayhem in Kashmir.
The issue in Kashmir cannot be resolved with Doval’s doctrine alone. It’s difficult to get the work done under the advice of the Sangh Parivar. India should handle Kashmir with extra caution. The Kashmiri youth which musters the courage to pelt stones at armed personnel, might not hesitate in using arms if they are provided with it. It will result in the geopolitical supremacy of Pakistan if the integrity and security of Kashmir are thwarted. Secondly, India should carefully prevent violence over the ‘holy cow syndrome’ in order to prevent communal tension within the country. Playing communal cards in politics and throwing incendiary remarks against the Muslim community and treating Kashmir with force wouldn’t prevent unrest in the Kashmir valley.
PM Modi can recover Kashmir during the adversities by strengthening the border security with destructive measures. Otherwise, it could result in hundreds of Burhan Wani in the tension inflicted valley and it could also spread across the country. PM Modi, at his hardest best, should prevent terrorists from mining on India’s soil to make India peaceful again.
Whether or not India earned international sympathy over the Uri attack, India must harden its ground relatively in the LoC and PoK.