Harsha Kakar
The recent comments by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),General Bipin Rawat,on stern action against those interrupting anti-militancy operations, led to debates in every form of media, with most liberals, activists and politicians from opposition parties, decrying his comments. Articles in magazines and newspapers adversely commented on his statement, suggesting that this attitude would alienate locals and re-incite violence in the valley. The same critics and politicians had maintained silence when Kashmiri Pundits were hounded out of their homes and Sikhs massacred, changing the demography of the valley, leading to the situation which the region presently faces. In reality, the ground situation as prevailing today,has amply proved the chief’s critics wrong. We fail to realize that increased militancy impacts development and tourism, affecting the general population.
The army released a press statement recently stating that actions by flash mobs, including stone throwing and forcibly moving towards encounter sites, permitted over twenty-five militants, including hardcore members of various groups, to escape their dragnet. This was the result of extra precautions adopted to prevent collateral casualties. Another visible change, compelling security forces to alter tact, is that most encounters now take place in villages, indicating increased support to militants at local levels. Post the violent summer of 2016, the number of locals joining militancy is also on the rise. Present assessment by intelligence agencies estimate that J and K has over 450 active militants, of which over 350 are operating North of the PirPanjal. Interference during operations is more pronounced in South Kashmir, than in any other part of the state.
A combination of the above factors has increased casualties to security forces, which is detrimental to morale and can induce additional caution, which is undesirable. Conversely, it emboldens militants and enhances their support base. The ambush on security forces a few days ago, resulting in three deaths and five injured is an example of emboldened militants taking advantage of an opportunity. This situation is detrimental for the nation as it enables Pak to gloat on the success of its policy, while permitting it to project J and K as a case of a home-grown terror. Another cause for worry is that the present level of militancy is solely based on militants inducted pre-winter, before passes closed. With summer around the corner and passes opening, increased infiltration may occur, irrespective of border sealing actions, only adding to pressures on security forces.As the level of militancy rises, it threatens the writ of the state, especially where it garners local support.
As inputs of increased infiltration of militants’ flow in, the forces deployed to deal with it also increases. Enhanced tempo of operations conducted over prolonged periods increases chances of collateral damage and civilian casualties. Security forces had discarded the use of rocket launchers in their conduct of operations for almost a decade. These were initially employed for destruction of structures where militants had taken refuge, thus eliminating them along with the structure, while reducing casualties to own forces. This approach did cause hardships to the local population as it destroyed their meagre households. In the present context, a prolonged operation, with the aim of flushing militants out without damaging dwellings is likely to be impacted by mob interference, which could enable their escape or increase casualties to security forces. Thus, security forces may be compelled to once again resort to the earlier tactic of destruction rather than prevention of damage. Similar changes could become the order of the day in most other nature of encounters.
Inducted militants have no concern for collateral casualties or damage. They mostly battle to safeguard their own lives and escape any dragnet established by security forces. They have no remorse or feelings towards locals and exploit them to further the aim of Pakistan. For security forces, the present period is important as it aims at reducing the number of active militants to acceptable levels, prior to the onset of summers, when possibilities of enhanced infiltration could raise the tempo of operations.
The critics of the COAS need to realize that the words chosen and the timing, apart from being announced at a poignant moment, are a warning to the national and state leadership that unless we work together to control the situation now, the coming months would only make it more difficult. Losing valuable lives of soldiers and civilians due to inciting of locals for political advantage belies a mature nation. The comments last week by Farooq Abdullah at a NC party event in Srinagar and Congress Veteran P Chidambaram are cases in point. Most others criticizing the army chief are doing so fearing a return of the summer of 2016. However, for security forces, the options remain limited, they must battle on, ensuring destruction of anti-national elements, irrespective of comments or discussions in the media.
It is therefore more prudent to adopt a firm stance now and seek to restore the situation before it becomes grave in the ensuing summer. The government needs to ignore the likes of NC leaders, opposition parties and so-called liberals and critics,granting security forces more laxity to bring the rising levels of insurgency under control.Media commentaries and discussions have no relevance in matters concerning national security. The state writ must run unhindered throughout the valley. The government may need to also adopt a strong stance against separatists and be willing to risk the situation temporarily worseningbut accepting the fact that it will return to normal in due course.
Mollycoddling should cease as desperate times call for desperate measures. We as Indians should remember, that national security and national interest are paramount and forces deployed to ensure the same must be given the authority and power to enforce it. The nation must remain united, if the designs of Pak have to be foiled and the writ of the nation restored across the length and breadth of the country.
(The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army)
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