Go all out to end Pakistan’s low-intensity war in J&K

PAKISTAN has not come to terms with the fact that Jammu and Kashmir did not join it after India gained Independence in August 1947 and was partitioned, in spite of an invasion launched by our neighbour just two months after it came into being. Wars launched in 1947-48, 1965 and 1971 to attain the goal by force of arms also failed. So, in 1989, Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) began a separatist, jihadist, anti-minority and armed insurgency in J&K to achieve this end.

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In spite of the legal accession of J&K to India in 1947, besides the conduct of elections, the grant of considerable aid and development projects, there exists a tendency among some Kashmiri brethren to lean towards Muslim-majority Pakistan, even though it is a failed and unstable state.

The true colours of the separatist movement must be seen in the light of the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990-91, the community’s exodus from the Kashmir valley and the inaction of the Indian state. There was no dispute among Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims in J&K; all of them had imbibed Kashmiriyat for centuries, irrespective of their religion. Then why did this horrific cleansing take place in the Valley?

India’s policy has been to block the infiltration of terrorists along the International Border (IB)/Line of Control (LoC). In 2004, a fence was constructed to that end. Terrorists who still manage to infiltrate are hunted down by the security forces — comprising Rashtriya Rifles and Central Armed Police Forces personnel — based on the intelligence gained from local informers and other means. Action is also taken against terrorist sympathisers and sleeper cells. But since the intruders enjoy some local support, they manage to carry out some attacks.

The Indian authorities are fully aware that terrorism or insurgency cannot sustain without local support. Persistent efforts have been made to win over the hearts of locals and create an intelligence network. Considerable development has taken place in the region, and tourism is booming.

However, Pakistan has dared to transform the armed insurgency/terrorist movement into a low-intensity war — ambushing and killing soldiers, attacking military units and headquarters, including the strategic Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab and targeting civilians. If this is not war, what is it? However, India still deals with it as terrorism, not a war.

No war, whether it is a low-intensity or full-scale one, can be won by defensive actions. This is a basic principle of war and geopolitics. Top decision-makers, both civil and military, need to realise this. In case what Pakistan is doing in J&K is considered to be just terrorism and not a low-intensity war, the paramilitary forces should handle it under the Minister of Home. And the Army should do its primary job of guarding the IB/LoC. But if the realisation dawns that a low-intensity war is indeed being waged, the Army should be directed to take the action necessary in the event of a war. This is the kind of directive that has to be issued by the Cabinet Committee on Security.

The following policy measures are recommended to deter Pakistan from continuing with attacks in J&K:

n Declare the terror acts perpetrated in J&K by Pakistan-sponsored armed intruders as low-intensity warfare and modify the whole approach to counter it.

n The life of every person residing, working or doing business in J&K should be considered precious.

n Announce a policy of zero tolerance to attacks. Do the people of J&K have to live in fear and get killed for generations just because they were born or posted there and the country failed to feel their pain and protect them? If others call us a soft state, are they wrong?

n Go for a step-by-step escalation across the IB/LoC in J&K through security personnel, firepower and other means in response to further attacks.

n A mutually agreed ceasefire has been in force in J&K since 2003. This needs to be ended. Pakistan is misusing it by sending intruders, arms and equipment across the border.

n In case Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks still persist, take stronger and more visible steps against more important targets, possibly with the use of air power.

Some people start talking about both countries being nuclear powers the moment there is a mention of cross-LoC actions. But nuclear weapons were also there when we fought and won the Kargil War in 1999.

Pakistan must be made to understand that it will have to pay a price for every armed act in J&K and adjoining areas and that there will be retaliation.

Pakistan will mend its ways once it realises that India means business. Pakistanis, including the ISI top brass, are troublesome only as long as they do not feel the pain. Their tolerance to bear punishment is limited.

At the same time, operations should continue in the Pir Panjal and Doda areas to hunt down terrorists and their sympathisers. However, temporary relief as a result of the massive actions being taken currently should not lull us into complacency. Pakistan will bide its time and start attacks in some other area, unless we carry the fight across the IB/LoC in J&K.

India and Pakistan have to share a boundary for ages, and it is in the latter’s interest to have peaceful borders. The Awam of Pakistan deserve a better life, for which a peaceful atmosphere is essential.