Pakistan has been shamelessly denying any involvement in Kashmir terrorism. To remain steadfast to its lies, Pakistan is in a dilemma whether to accept the dead bodies of non-state actors who get killed when engaged by Indian security forces along the LoC. The huge cache of arms seized from the hideouts or slain or disappeared infiltrators during past five years, (2009 to 2013) is good enough to equip two battalions of combat troops. The quantity, quality and variety of weapons, communication apparatus, ammunition, RDX etc. have not fallen from sky. Providers of this war machine obviously have the designs of a long period engagement of Indian security forces in Kashmir. Recovery of this stockpile of arms and ammunition reveals many more ugly things. Firstly, we have to accept that infiltration has not been fully controlled and the terrorists, every time, look for new routes and sneaking points. In all probability they are supported and guided by their conduits and moles on our side of the cease fire line.
But more importantly, Pakistan sources have not made any change in their anti- India campaign. The outward gestures of goodwill could be fake and something of a mask. Pakistani Prime Minister has repeatedly asked India to resume bilateral talks on all outstanding issues including Kashmir. But India is not to be the taker of this cloak and dagger policy. How can any progress take place in bilateral talks when one side is pinning hope in foisting solution through force of arms? Uncovering of stockpile of arms in terrorist hideouts will evidently disarm the argument demanding withdrawal of AFSPA on the basis of the argument that militancy has come down in the strife-torn state. The hard fact of security scenario in Kashmir is that militancy has not come down but the jihadis have changed tactics. They are inducting new items in their terrorist planning especially when the parliamentary and assembly elections are approach fast.
The most disconcerting aspect of the uncovering of enormous stockpile of arms and ammunition is that of hawala sources of funding for Kashmir militants. We have more than once said that there appears a nexus between the investigating agencies and the hawala conduits. It is now officially established that prosecution of persons indicted in hawala transactions’ is overtly or covertly obstructed. So far dozens of cases have been registered but not a single has been identified for any punishment that would deter other miscreants from indulging in the criminal act of laundering money. Unless the funding sources of jihadis are strangulated, militancy will continue in Kashmir. The State Government is fully aware of it and has to take steps to curb hawala perfidy.
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