The attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi raises many questions. Were they informed? Who told them? The terrorists ambushed the bus at a spot where there was less traffic and according to survivors, the attackers were there for about 20 minutes.
Doesn't this indicate some kind of collusion with some local supporters? The questions may be part of the investigation being conducted, but they are reminiscent of the time when terrorism was rampant in Kashmir in the early 1990s and most of the attacks were carried out by neighbors or colleagues and even local policemen. were done after receiving the information. This was something which was also described in detail by the late Governor Jagmohan in his book 'Frozen Turbulence'.
Help at the local level may be out of fear or sympathy. With the improvement in security situation and action against separatist leaders, it is believed that the atmosphere of fear has been curbed.But, the recent terrorist blasts bring out the ugly fact that evil elements remain present and make their presence felt from time to time. These elements try to rear their heads or cross the border when they deem fit. Take action on orders received from abroad. Pakistan has not closed its terror factory and continues to infiltrate terrorists to carry out attacks. It believes that it is its right to keep Jammu and Kashmir disturbed by such acts of violence.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police R. R. Swain had recently said that 70-80 foreign terrorists are active in the Union Territory.It is reported that a similar number of people are trying to cross the LOC/border quietly from various launch pads in Pakistan.
As the security apparatus in Kashmir becomes tighter and stronger, terrorists are trying to shift their activities to the Jammu region south of the Pir Panjal range. This densely forested area is a difficult area where terrorists get ample space to hide. Pakistan-backed terrorists are now trying to enter even those areas which have been relatively peaceful and the Reasi attack is an example of this. This is a challenge for the security forces. The fact that terrorists are able to attack and disappear is extremely worrying.The question arises again?
Terrorist attacks cannot happen alone. There is always a local association, whether it is as a hybrid terrorist, overground or underground worker or just doing it for the money or being exploited on the basis of religious sentiments.
Before the abrogation of Article 370, separatist and pro-Pakistan elements were successful in creating a network which was linked to Islamic sentiments. This link helped in organizing stone pelting sessions, targeted killings, attacks on minorities and security forces etc. After the abrogation of Article 370, the valley has seen huge changes. Pro-separatist networks were dismantled and violence, including stone pelting, was markedly reduced.The valley is witnessing a huge and unprecedented influx of tourists.
Despite the majority of people wanting to live in peace, there is a hidden remnant of the inspired link that is trying to assemble itself in various ways. These hidden elements show their presence through terror acts, as was seen in three consecutive attacks in Jammu, including the targeting of Hindu pilgrims on a bus in Reasi district.
The police have announced a huge reward for anyone providing information about the attackers, but no one has been arrested even after several days of the attack. The fact is that these hidden elements are able to receive accurate information about support, hiding, food, weapons or the subject of attack. This is something that should serve as an alarm bell for the government.The victory of Engineer Rashid, a leader leaning towards a separatist agenda, in the recently held Lok Sabha elections is once again a sign of something flourishing in the valley.
Rashid is lodged in Tihar jail for the last five years in the terror funding case. In 2015, when he was an MLA, he had organized a party at his official residence in which beef was cooked. He has also repeatedly raised his voice for the "right to self-determination" in the then Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
Recently, when he won the Lok Sabha elections, eyebrows were raised as to how he was able to win despite being in jail. His campaign was led by his 26-year-old son Abrar Rashid.On the lines of AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's campaign in the general elections, where he had appealed to people to vote for him to keep him out of jail, Abrar Rashid also adopted a similar strategy. His short speech "Your vote could get my father released..." made an impact and translated into victory.
If Engineer Rasheed enters Parliament, will he raise his voice for self-determination as he used to do when he was an MLA.
The question that is troubling is whether there is a hidden agenda that is now slowly coming to light? The separatists, be it Jamaat-e-Islami, JKLF and other banned organisations, are planning to enter the system by fielding their representatives.Are attempts being made to destroy the system by entering the system through legitimate means? The questions may seem hypothetical at the moment, but there is a lot hidden in Kashmir.
Doesn't this indicate some kind of collusion with some local supporters? The questions may be part of the investigation being conducted, but they are reminiscent of the time when terrorism was rampant in Kashmir in the early 1990s and most of the attacks were carried out by neighbors or colleagues and even local policemen. were done after receiving the information. This was something which was also described in detail by the late Governor Jagmohan in his book 'Frozen Turbulence'.
Help at the local level may be out of fear or sympathy. With the improvement in security situation and action against separatist leaders, it is believed that the atmosphere of fear has been curbed.But, the recent terrorist blasts bring out the ugly fact that evil elements remain present and make their presence felt from time to time. These elements try to rear their heads or cross the border when they deem fit. Take action on orders received from abroad. Pakistan has not closed its terror factory and continues to infiltrate terrorists to carry out attacks. It believes that it is its right to keep Jammu and Kashmir disturbed by such acts of violence.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police R. R. Swain had recently said that 70-80 foreign terrorists are active in the Union Territory.It is reported that a similar number of people are trying to cross the LOC/border quietly from various launch pads in Pakistan.
As the security apparatus in Kashmir becomes tighter and stronger, terrorists are trying to shift their activities to the Jammu region south of the Pir Panjal range. This densely forested area is a difficult area where terrorists get ample space to hide. Pakistan-backed terrorists are now trying to enter even those areas which have been relatively peaceful and the Reasi attack is an example of this. This is a challenge for the security forces. The fact that terrorists are able to attack and disappear is extremely worrying.The question arises again?
Terrorist attacks cannot happen alone. There is always a local association, whether it is as a hybrid terrorist, overground or underground worker or just doing it for the money or being exploited on the basis of religious sentiments.
Before the abrogation of Article 370, separatist and pro-Pakistan elements were successful in creating a network which was linked to Islamic sentiments. This link helped in organizing stone pelting sessions, targeted killings, attacks on minorities and security forces etc. After the abrogation of Article 370, the valley has seen huge changes. Pro-separatist networks were dismantled and violence, including stone pelting, was markedly reduced.The valley is witnessing a huge and unprecedented influx of tourists.
Despite the majority of people wanting to live in peace, there is a hidden remnant of the inspired link that is trying to assemble itself in various ways. These hidden elements show their presence through terror acts, as was seen in three consecutive attacks in Jammu, including the targeting of Hindu pilgrims on a bus in Reasi district.
The police have announced a huge reward for anyone providing information about the attackers, but no one has been arrested even after several days of the attack. The fact is that these hidden elements are able to receive accurate information about support, hiding, food, weapons or the subject of attack. This is something that should serve as an alarm bell for the government.The victory of Engineer Rashid, a leader leaning towards a separatist agenda, in the recently held Lok Sabha elections is once again a sign of something flourishing in the valley.
Rashid is lodged in Tihar jail for the last five years in the terror funding case. In 2015, when he was an MLA, he had organized a party at his official residence in which beef was cooked. He has also repeatedly raised his voice for the "right to self-determination" in the then Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
Recently, when he won the Lok Sabha elections, eyebrows were raised as to how he was able to win despite being in jail. His campaign was led by his 26-year-old son Abrar Rashid.On the lines of AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's campaign in the general elections, where he had appealed to people to vote for him to keep him out of jail, Abrar Rashid also adopted a similar strategy. His short speech "Your vote could get my father released..." made an impact and translated into victory.
If Engineer Rasheed enters Parliament, will he raise his voice for self-determination as he used to do when he was an MLA.
The question that is troubling is whether there is a hidden agenda that is now slowly coming to light? The separatists, be it Jamaat-e-Islami, JKLF and other banned organisations, are planning to enter the system by fielding their representatives.Are attempts being made to destroy the system by entering the system through legitimate means? The questions may seem hypothetical at the moment, but there is a lot hidden in Kashmir.
