Divergence of views at home as Pak changes tactics

Arteev Sharma in Jammu

DEFENCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remark that Pakistan is expanding the arc of terror to the areas south of Pir Panjal ranges to increase its footprint in relatively peaceful Jammu region, reflects the grim scenario in J&K.

What has made the situation more complicated is the inconsistent and messy political narrative as armed forces fight against the enemy not only along the border but also within it. The tactic of separatists and Pakistan proxies is to target men in uniform and cause greater instigation to have a disproportionate retaliation. The apparent objective is not only bruise and defame security forces but also make stone-throwers ‘heroes’ and ‘martyrs’. 

The armed forces have been facing disruptions during encounters where they not only confront bullets and grenades but also a violent mob pressing for a safe escape of armed terrorists. On the one hand is political support to stone-throwers, whose FIRs are being revoked, and on the other are Army and paramilitary personnel who continue to face legal cases. 

The lynching of J&K police officer Mohammad Ayub Pandith outside Jamia mosque in Srinagar and the brutal killing of young Lieutenant Umar Fayaz of the 2 Rajputana Rifles lend an insight into terrorists’ game plan. The recent FIR against Army officer Aditya Kumar in the Shopian firing incident fits into the larger tactic of defaming the men in uniform. 

The FIR was registered after three civilians were killed in firing at protesters on Jan 27. The Army said its soldiers fired in a desperate situation, trapped as they were by over 200 stone-throwers.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said recently that her government has cleared amnesty for 9,730 stone-throwers, including over 4,000 first-time offenders who were involved in incidents between 2008 and 2017. She said 3,773 stone-throwing incidents were reported in the last two years in which 11,290 persons were arrested. 

Government sources say the Centre has received 50 requests for sanction for prosecution of security personnel — from the Army and paramilitary forces. The sanction was denied in 47 cases. A total 482 cases have been registered against security personnel for human rights violations since 1990, but investigating agencies produced charge-sheet in 29% cases only.

The confusion in political situation can be gauged from the fact while the Centre has made it clear that “talks and terrorism can’t go together,” the CM, whose party is an alliance with BJP, has been asking for resumption of talks with Pakistan. “This is a symptom of a malady. On security situation, the state and Centre are not on same page,” says former state police chief MM Khajouria. “We are in a mess and befooling ourselves that things are under control,” he said. 

The widespread perception is that the revocation of FIRs against stone-throwers and registration of FIR against Army men would affect the morale of the troops. The Army has rejected the argument. 

“I can say with confidence that it has not dented the morale at all because our intentions are very clear,” says Lt General Devraj Anbu, top Army Commander of Northern Command.

Political reactions to incidents in Kashmir are party-centric. “Terror attacks in the heart of Jammu and Srinagar are evidence of a terrible deterioration in the security environment,” says former chief minister Omar Abdullah. “Forget about the Valley or the border, even Jammu city is not safe under you (PDP-BJP),” said Omar.