Take up the challenge

If terrorists can make four synchronised attacks in a single day in Kashmir, that too when security has been beefed up to ensure peaceful elections, their capacity to strike at will should not be under-estimated, especially when the Valley is limping back to normal. The challenge has to be met with greater vigil and preparation so that no more precious lives are lost. Friday's "fidayeen" attack was apparently provoked by a high voter turnout in the first two phases of polling. It is, as the Prime Minister has said, an attack on democracy. And the right response to it is to stay calm, continue normal life and participate in the poll process to strengthen people's faith in the system.  The exercise of a democratic right is a rebuff to terrorists who spread a psychological fear to make people do, or not do, what they want. By not cancelling his rally in Srinagar, Prime Minister Modi has sent the right message.

People in Kashmir yearn for peace and prefer trade and tourism to terror. Of late violence has abated in the strife-torn state. The kind of street clashes and stone-throwing that took place in 2010 have not recurred. The stern punishment in the Machil fake encounter and the swift action in the Budgam firing case have gone down well in the Valley. The Army's role in helping the flood-hit has also been appreciated. All this must have unnerved the enemies of the peace in Kashmir. 

Uri, where the Army base was targeted, is close to the border and the terrorists, well-prepared and wearing expensive snow suits, came from Pakistan as Home Minister Rajnath Singh has stated. But to expect the Pakistan government to stop them is perhaps a misplaced hope, especially when the government of the hostile neighbour has arranged trains to fetch supporters of Hafiz Sayeed, the 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind, for a rally in Lahore, where he gave a call for "liberating" Kashmir and read out a prayer for the militants killed in the Uri and other operations. A government spokesman has rightly accused Pakistan of "mainstreaming terrorism".