With the systemic glorification of the anti-Indian element 22
year old, Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter at Kokernag on July 8th
Kashmir militancy received a new lease for life. Hailing from a well-to- do
family from South Kashmir town of Tral, Burhan allegedly suffered mistreatments
at the hands of errant Kashmir police, resurrected militancy. He induced a
phenomenal aura into the armed struggle by reaching out to the youth through
social media. Embraced by Hizbul Mujahadeen for his soaring popularity on
social media, he quickly rose to higher ranks. By conscientiously aggrandizing
the jihadi movement against India he attracted Kashmiri youth to join him.
Deftly handling the cyberspace, he recruited 60-70 youth and steadily
spearheaded the militancy movement in the valley. Militancy in India, which was
lacking a formidable leader found one in Burhan. By romanticizing the call for azaadi, he soon acquired larger than life
image and neutralizing such a motivating figure has become imminent. Subsequently
procuring information about his alleged activities and operating location has
become a challenge for the Indian security forces operating in the valley. With
internal situation of Pakistan stabilized, the focus of deep state shifted
focus to Kashmir. As a result infiltration movement was unusually high this
summer. To revive the militant ranks in the valley attempts were made to push
trained Pakistani terrorists inside. With Indian forces stepping up counter
insurgency operations across the 30-40km range of LoC causalities were minimum.
On the other hand, armed infiltrators changed their tactics and began targeting
police convoys to create a wave of terror. Pampore ambush that claimed lives of
8 CRPF jawans typically exemplifies sudden shift in strategy of armed
infiltrators. This new tactic suddenly emboldened the home grown militants. Neutralization
of the charismatic young leader, who extolled jihad has become inevitable. Indian
forces went for the kill. But the unprecedented success of the Indian security
forces has opened a Pandora box.
The decision of handing over the body of Burhan who pioneered
home grown militancy was indeed bold. Past experiences indicated that denial of
last rites to terrorists eventually resulted in conferring heroic martyrdom and
eternal glorification. To prevent idolization and to contain the angst of the
locals, despite the perilous consequences security forces allowed a public
funeral. But unfortunately, contrasting narratives that prevailed, existed and
spread after post-Burhan’s killing inflicted great damage to India. While the
role of Pakistan in grooming, patronizing and raking up anti-India sentiments
in the valley are undeniable, the convoluted narratives enviously propagated by
a section of Indian media resulted in absolute bedlam of Kashmir valley.
Seamless adulation of the Kashmiri separatists and the martyr status conferred
by newspapers ignited fresh row of protests in the valley. Mincing no words,
critics and certain political parties, upped ante against government and shamelessly
questioned the Indian forces in going for the kill. Experts too began to argue
the desideratum of killing Burhan with separatists failing to create new wave
of resurgence in the valley and challenged the timing of the encounter since it
overlapped the Amarnath yatra.
Indian authorities appraised of the implications, were
equipped to meet contingences but the overwhelming surge of passions and
impetuous response of the people intrigued them. Protestors acting at the
behest of their masters across the borders hardened in fomenting trouble
quickly swung into action. Moreover, in this age of instantaneous social
networking, Pakistan waged a proxy war raking up the old wounds of the people.
Burhan acquired Robinhood status in the valley, terror groups discreetly milked
this sentiment and ignited tensions. Curfew was imposed to curb escalation of
tensions. But despite the curbs, the mobilized mobs targeted 17 police stations
were attacks. Violence erupted in the remote areas too. Unrelenting coverage of
24X7 media channels exacerbated the situation. Cycles of tensions are a common
place in valley. Earlier, the protests were truly reflective of the indigenous
azaadi or independence or self-determination. But what is truly appalling in
this latest resurgence has been the portentous overtures of Islamist
radicalization.
Sadly, India media shamelessly never acknowledges the fact
that killing of the 22-year is not simply about the independence of Kashmir
from the Oppressed Indian state, but it is about the larger manifesto waging a
war against a non-Islamic state. Kashmir is only a ruse, but the real target is
challenging the sovereignty, integrity and unity of Indian republic. While the
initial days of the Kashmir insurgency is largely about self-determination but
the ultimate agenda of all the terrorist outfits targeting India is of
Ghazwa-e-Hind or in simple words- an ultimate battle for conquest of India by
Muslim warriors. Indian journals are thus playing into hands of Pakistanis and
expeditiously endorsing Pakistan’s cause.
After suffering
humiliating defeats at the hands of India in 1965 and 1971, Lt Gen Hamid Gul of
Pakistan, impelled by animosity towards India, trained young Kashmiris and
Afghans to fight in India. Later in 1990’s Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
(JKLF) spear-headed nationalist agenda of Kashmir. JKLF created the first wave
of insurgency in early 1990’s. By 1994 the Indian chapter of JKLF headed by
Yashin Malik renounced armed struggle and aspired to find a political solution.
The recruits would cross border, obtain training and arms from Pakistan. Wielding
Kalashnikov’s, they continued armed struggle in India. The death of Burhan
reminded of a young JKLF recruit, Ashfaq Majeed Wani who would kidnap civilians,
torment Kashmiri Pandits and was involved in kidnapping of Rubaiyya Sayeed,
sister of current Chief Minister of Kashmir, Mehabooba Mufti. His career ended
abruptly when he was blown away in grenade attack by the Indian military in
1990. His death created similar ripples in the valley when thousands of people
defying the curfew attended the last prayers. Unapologetic hankering of media that
consciously chose to overlook the violence generated after the killing of
Burhan reminded the valley of their posterboy of yesteryears- Ashfaq. The
valley despite witnessing several encounters over the decades never flared up
with rage to this extent. Instigated protestors began hurling stones and
Molotov cocktails at the Indian security forces. Hurling of hand grenades from
behind the agitating innocent mobs (human shields) has become popular practice
in the valley after 2010. Pitched battles erupted between the civilians and
paramilitary forces. With the news of killing spreading like wild fire,
internet connection and mobile services were shut down, infuriated mobs began
retaliating. Militants in the meanwhile, turning the scores of innocent
civilians with no connection into human shield started hurling grenades at
security forces. Security forces in a bid to dispel crowds used pellet guns. Over
1500 suffered the pellet injuries and a state of medical emergency was
witnessed. In the meanwhile, with the unrelenting protestors intensifying
attacks on army camps and air force bases, casualties began to mount resulting
in the death of 42 persons till now.
While there are loud appeals from the human rights activists
against the use of pellet guns to control the mobs, the alacrity of forces
drastically reduced loss of lives. In reality, situation in Kashmir has
relatively improved from 2002 barring sudden upsurge in 2012 and communally
charged protests in 2008 and 2010. Militant recruitments too have come down.
The number of active terrorists are reduced in numbers. Army records indicate
that local recruits in last year was 66 and increase from 16 the previous year.
After Burhan became Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) commander, local recruits were
drawn into the jihad cult. Previously new recruits used to travel to Pakistan
to get trained but now they are trained locally. His death is thus a massive
jolt to HuM. In the aftermath of his
killing, selective amnesia of media has set a dangerous precedent. Oblivious of
the violence and rage of stone hurling mobs, deification of Burhan emboldened
the Kashmiri militants.
As anticipated, Pakistan dragged India to the UN and envoy
Maleeha Lodhi referred to Burhan’s killing as extra judicial and extolled that
India violated human rights. Under pressure from the army and media, Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif declared Burhan Wani as martyr and condemned India for
killing a Kashmiri leader. Facing severe dissidence Sharif announced that
Pakistan will observe a July 19th as Black Day due to “the worst
outbreak of violence in Kashmir”. But in a major loss of face, Pakistan
government had to reschedule it as July 19th is celebrated Kashmir’s
Accession day in Pakistan. On July 19th 1947 All Jammu Kashmir
Muslim Conference in Srinagar has demanded Dogra rulers to materialize
accession of J&K to Pakistan.
While the intransigence of Pakistan in resolving the Kashmir
issue has been the major obstacle, the current episode of militant resurgence
has numerous takeaways. Despite the repeated cycles of violence, India has
failed to evolve a dedicated strategy for Kashmir. Estrangement of Kashmir
stemming from failure of the Indian government to effectively communicate and
engage with all the stakeholders of valley has generated a paralysis. While the
despair and despondency of the Kashmiri youth is no different from other
regions, a prolonged alienation can push into an egregious radicalization
pogrom. Kashmir is an integral part of India and would continue to remain so. Over
the past seven decades, the region remained as a bone of contention between
India and Kashmir. Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein and extremely crucial for
fostering its nihilistic agenda of 1000 years of war with India. Independent
India has been effectively resisting Pakistan’s clandestine strategies. The
secessionist movement of Kashmir which initially drew support from Pakistan is now
inadvertently sucked into a feigned Islamic movement. Internet Islamization, a
concept developed by ISIS imploring upon the Islamic aesthetics is attracting
youth World over. It is time India sheds political impasse over Kashmir issue
and engage with grass roots and save Kashmir from formidable influence of
religious ideologues.
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