Arun Joshi
Four terror attacks in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir in as many days prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday before he took a flight to attend G7 summit in Italy and called for full spectrum counterterrorism measures have underlined the fact that the nation is seeing that the gains of the past five years threaten to slip away. The spectrum of the terror attacks – targeting of a pilgrim’s bus in Reasi, villagers in border area of Hiranagar along international border and twin attacks on forces in Doda , the mountainous that had been declared terror-free long ago- is quite revealing about the reach and presence of terrorists . They deliberately struck in Jammu province, which was always considered peaceful as compared to the terror-hit Kashmir Valley , as they wanted to convey a stunning message to the Indian nation that they can strike anywhere.
Now when the immediate image of Jammu and Kashmir as a high voting territory was in circulation , and the Election Commission of India started making preparations for the Assembly elections , the wave of terror attacks rattled Jammu province . Prime Minister took a strong note of the situation and directed that all out efforts be made to neutralize terrorists . In short, he demanded deployment of the full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities in J&K to tame terrorism once and for all. It was for the first time since 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370 that Prime Minister has taken such a review meeting about the situation in J&K- there were a series of terror attacks in the past five years in the Valley , in which civilians were targeted , which included Kashmiri Pandit and Jammu-based employees and also non-locals in 2022. In 2023 , there were a series of attacks on the army in Rajouri-Poonch border belt in which several soldiers lost their lives .
It means that the current spate of the terror attacks in Jammu have been viewed with seriousness at the highest level . PM knows that such terror attacks in J&K can change the direction of normalcy and peace in Kashmir at all levels, including international level. It is significant to note that he reviewed the situation before leaving for his first foreign visit on Thursday after assuming office for the third time on June 9.
These attacks have shattered image of new Kashmir where peace reigned supreme, terrorism was in coma and above all that the security forces had vanquished terrorism once and for all .They have targeted the perception that Kashmir has achieved a stage from where normalcy could not be reversed . It may seem to be too exaggerated assessment of the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir as the forces’ domination is almost complete . The security forces presence is overwhelming.
In this scenario it should not be forgotten that terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is not something that was imposed on the Himalayan territory in 1980s , and it started rolling on . There were causes and reasons for its origin . The militancy, as it is called , is a byproduct of the idea of conflict and resistance which had its origin in two-nation theory at the time of Partition . During Partition , and the situation that arose in J&K after Maharaja Hari Singh signed instrument of accession of the state to India to save the state from Pakistan -sponsored tribesmen who were on a murderous and looting campaign . There were sections of Kashmiri population and that of Jammu region did not reconcile to the accession with India idea, they kept their resistance alive . Since the overwhelming majority was looking for peace and stability within the Indian union , not many where there to court idea of resistance.
As the abrogation of Article 370 is just few weeks away from its fifth anniversary on August 5, a perception that had gained credence is that everything has been controlled and security forces will deal with the residual militancy . This assessment was sought to be strengthened with a fierce narrative that removal of the controversial has made Kashmir as a tourism hotspot , discarding its image as a terror-hotspot . , and it was made a political campaign issue in the states and in the recently held general elections . The BJP that campaigned on this issue shied away from fielding its candidates in the Kashmir Valley. A high voter turnout pleased all , but no one assessed it in right perspective. It was a vote for peace and dreams of future , it was a vote to reverse the ills of unemployment and complete access to their resources and land , it was an expression of their dignity as Indian citizens . But overplaying of the voter turnout as a rebuff to Pakistan and separatism overlooked the fact that separatist leaders too had given a greenlight to electorate to vote. There was no boycott call this time , boycott call was a bane for the elections in Kashmir since 1989 general elections .
Some of the voices, including former army generals and a section of intelligentsia have started arguing that the Assembly elections be deferred to situation to stabilize. This is a self-defeating proposition . Such situations in the past never led to the postponement of the elections. Jammu and Kashmir had seen elections after scheduled intervals from 1996-to 2004, the period that was full of darkness and terrorism.
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