Kashmir Gamble: Igniting another War

In seventy years of its history subcontinent is bracing itself, yet again with a threat of war. Roar of war is being sounded as India is engaged in building up berserk war hysteria. With rapid troop deployment and Cease Fire Violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB) the situation is getting tense. The present hostilities escalated since July 8, 2016, after extrajudicial execution of Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

India would have never expected that execution of Burhan Wani would ignite such irrepressible situation and rekindle the indigenous Kashmiri freedom struggle. Since death of Wani, India is engaged in blatant human rights violations to curb voices of freedom. In unabated excessive use of force since July 8, death toll has reached over 280, the number of injured crossed over 20,446 and over 1500 lost either full or partial eyesight. Despite brutal oppression, India has failed to quench the desire of Kashmiri people to fight for their right to self-determination. Pakistan has highlighted grave human rights violations being committed by India on every forum.

While the world community is taking note of Indian atrocities in Kashmir and condemning the Indian state for grave human rights violations and use of force to crush the freedom struggle the unprovoked firing on the LoC and WB has worsened the situation. In year 2017 to date, India has committed 16 CFVs, killing 6 people and injuring 19. Such the Indian aggression on the borders is a clear indication that India wants to put a cover on the atrocities in Kashmir and it is a ploy to divert attention from the massacres of its armed forces in Kashmir.

Pakistan registered a protest to United Nations Military Observers Group on India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) over unprovoked ceasefire violations by India on May 16. This was not the first time that Pakistan complained against Indian aggression. Indian has increased the CFVs since the mass protests erupted in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) last year after extrajudicial execution of Burhan Muzaffar Wani. India committed 379 CFVs in year 2016. Such Indian deliberate Violations which result in killing and injuries of innocents is contrary to human dignity and International Humanitarian Laws.

In year 2017, the CFVs by India along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB) continues. (See Table 1)

Table 1: Cease Fire Violations (CFVs) – 2017

 Source: MOFA & ISPR

The question rises that what are Indian gains from such violations?

Such Indian aggression is a way to protect India’s ambition to be seen as an extra-regional power. India in its attempts to guard its hegemonic endeavor is using all tactics to strengthen its hegemonic aspirations.

India is playing the worst possible role in painting a horrible picture of the South Asian region where there would never be even a tinge of peace and prosperity. Indian atrocities are not limited only to the human rights violation in Kashmir but also to the neighbouring countries like Pakistan, China, Nepal and Sri Lanka. An American Congressional report says, “India had been the top arms purchaser among developing countries in 2010 which shows it is in a state of war hysteria.” Another report recently published in the western media says that India would be acquiring six C-130 air-lifters for its air force as part of its strategy of spending $100 billion on defence in the next 10 years.

The same report says, “India is enlarging its airfield in Kargil to make it suitable for all types of military planes. Construction of a modern airfield means an attempt to gain mastery in high altitude warfare against Pakistan.” Even more alarming is the news that India will also be holding war games along Pakistan’s border in near future. These war games are specifically formulated to capture enemy’s strategic assets and paralyzing its defence capability. The government of Pakistan must review its soft approach and mild reactions to the ever-increasing Indian aggression. Matters with India seem impossible to be settled through negotiations and peace-talks. The government of Pakistan must reconsider the state of affairs with India. A stern response to the Indian aggression would be in the larger benefit of not only the people of Pakistan but also in the interest of Indian-held Kashmir and Afghanistan.

Indian war hysteria is not a new jargon. Since the Kashmir uprising after Burhan Wani’s death and speech of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in UN General Assembly such kind of allegations on Pakistan were expected. But this time apart from Modi’s hostile approach towards Pakistan didn’t remain till words but actions were seen by firing across line of control which India media claimed its victory which actually was not as Pakistan retaliated fully clearly showing Indians that they are fully prepared and operational to answer this Indian war hysteria. Unlike Pathankot incident in January 2016 in which India as usual blamed Pakistan for supporting terrorist activities in its air base and Pakistan offered its support in joint investigation team, Uri attack was condemned too but Pakistan knew that this Uri attack was as usual Indian allegation to overcome its security lapse and flaws in its approach to deal with phenomenon of terrorism.

Supported by its cunning media, the Indian political and security establishment is known for false plans and allegations so that it could defame Pakistan in the eyes of the world, gather international support and to cover up its intelligence failures. Uri attack came up as another pseudo plan by Indians a day before when Pakistani PM was all set to expose India’s nefarious activities in IOK where many young people were shot by using pellet guns and turned blind intentionally. So much so it’s not use of pellet guns but Indian atrocities have continued and is still on in Indian Occupied Kashmir over the past many decades. Pakistan as always supported Kashmiri brethren and its stance on Kashmir. India which could not reply well to Pakistani PM speech in UN and prove its innocence to world community for Kashmir brutal acts started massive propaganda against Pakistan. Apart from not only allegations in media, India started violations of LoC by heavy firing.

To make a situation like war, India created hysteria among masses by broadcasting on and off that Pakistan starts firing across line of control and India answers fully Pakistani violations anywhere. India keeps its rhetoric just to give shield to its brutalities in Kashmir and divert world focus on Pakistan India escalating tensions which actually India fabricates for its easy escape. Chairman Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Geelani rightly analysed that “believing the Indian media and army that they have not targeted Pakistan army installations or personnel, rather have struck at the camp of terrorists and killed them, there is nothing new and extra ordinary as Indian army has been doing so for the last 27 years. Any of the countries can’t go for war as they all know fully what the collision of the nuclear heads actually means. Creating the war like situation, refusal in the SAARC forum, threatening the water blockade, isolating Pakistan at global level are the cunning mechanics to hoodwink the world community and to divert their attention and focus from the root cause of all these evils.”

India claimed that it made surgical strike in Pakistan to teach it a lesson and to stop Pakistan from state sponsoring terrorism. But this hype of surgical strike by Indian media and army was exposed by Indian PM Narendar Modi himselfas he mentioned that India has not attacked anyone nor is hungry for any territory. Modi after much criticism on the use of term surgical strike by Indian army is now concealing its false claim of surgical strike which actually brought bad name to India internationally and India is now trying its best to deal with this created phenomenon of war hysteria. Pakistan on other side to show the world real picture about India propaganda of surgical strikes made local and international media visit LOC.

The media was allowed to visit the military’s check posts and interact with the local population, who categorically denied presence of Indian boots on Pakistani soil. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Asim Bajwa made it clear that any adventurism would cost India heavily.No physical violation of the LoC has taken place, nor it will be allowed to happen by our resilient forces. The Pakistan Army is fully prepared to take on any misadventure and any such attempt will be responded in a more effective and forceful manner.Pakistan was fighting terrorism, and does not believe in interfering in other countries’ affairs.Pakistan would never allow its soil to be used against any country.
Because of heightening tensions on border and Indian false claims of victory in surgical strikes Pakistan called All Parties Conference in which all political parties participated and condemned the unprovoked Indian aggression and ceasefire violations.

According to a joint communiqué released after the conference, representatives from across the political spectrum also rejected the Indian government’s claims that Kashmir was an integral part of India. The leaders called for coordination on national security efforts, and urged reconstitution of the national security committee of parliament. It further said that violations of Indus Water Treaty to stop water for Pakistan will be considered as Indian aggression and as any act by India to destabilize Pakistan will be answered fully. The APC also rejected the ludicrous Indian claims of carrying out ‘surgical strike’ across the LoC as blatantly false and brazen attempts at diverting international attention away from its atrocities in IOK. It is true that India always manifests propaganda against Pakistan and world often believes what India portrays. But after strong resolve on Kashmir issue and PM speech Pakistan in UNGA, once againwe havesucceeded to show world Indian true face however an effective foreign policy is need of the hour to lobby our case more appropriately in world.

The history of incidents of line of control (LOC) is as old as the history of division of sub-continent. After the careful perusal of past and current unfortunate events of LOC, it can easily be deduced that contrary to the events and incidents that had happened in past, scope as well as agenda of current fateful events that are occurring at LOC is entirely different. Pakistan’s role of being front-line state in the previous decade to curb terrorism is not hidden from anyone. Role, behavior and initiatives taken by Pakistan in past almost thirteen years manifests that it is determined to leave no stone unturned in bringing peace in the region and wants stability not only in the region but in whole world. Pakistan has lost thousands of precious life in sacrifice to give gift of peace to whole world.

On the other hand, India instead of paying tribute or acknowledging the sacrifices made by Pakistan in war against terror is continuously creating tension at LOC. In other words, it would not be wrong to mention that India is trying to instigate Pakistan for war that could ultimately bring the whole region to the verge of instability as both the countries are having nuclear arsenals. Pakistan is claimed to be fighting terrorism as front-state country. In pursuance of this war against terrorism Pakistan has already faced a lot of criticism from its own people. On the other hand, due to this war against terrorism Pakistan has faced, and is still facing huge loss in various domains like economy, technology, education, health etc. It can be said that due to this war, Pakistan, after actively fighting over a decade’s period, is exhausted, and is not that much powerful and strong as it was before the initiation of war.

Instead of extending its support and cooperation to Pakistan to curb the emerging threats from terrorists, India is continuously playing blame game against Pakistan, and appears to be busy in opening new corridors of tension for Pakistan. This knavish as well as immature behavior of India is not only detrimental to the security and peace of the region, but also lethal for the peace of world. The international community has also become a silent observer on this sensitive issue, and giving their silent consent to the hostile acts of India, which ultimately would be proved morbid for stability of the region and disastrous for the global peace.

It is an open secret that India with respect to development is far ahead from Pakistan. India in almost every discipline has taken lead from Pakistan in such areas as economy, technology, military and developments. Keeping in view this elevated status of India, question arises in one’s mind as to why India is putting itself on the path of tensions rather than treading on path of peace, talks and negotiations? The answer to this question could be the following.

India knows that in one and foremost manner Pakistan is competing with India in nuclear capability. And Pakistan has also already taken a firm stance against India for the sake of its defense that it will use its nuclear arsenal in case of interventions, both nuclear or conventional. The circles responsible for ensuring the security of India are disturbed due to this declaration and are desirous of testing the credibility of the statements given on behalf of Pakistan, and are eager to assess the magnitude of response from Pakistan’s side to evaluate that can Pakistan employ its nuclear weapons in case of conventional war between these two states.

On the other hand, India is also not sure about the level/standard of conventional intervention from its side that would compel Pakistan to launch its nuclear weapons. It could not be overruled that by the virtue of Pakistan’s “Deterrence Policy”, India in real terms has been deterred. Therefore, it can be analyzed that India is in real quest to test “Deterrence Credibility” of Pakistan, and the unfortunate events that are being happened at LOC are aimed to unveil the policy of opacity adopted by Pakistan regarding its nuclear arsenals.

In the region, Pakistan and India are having the status of nuclear states. Heavy responsibility lies on these two states to ensure the peace and stability of region. But, more responsibility lies on India to ensure the betterment, wellbeing, peace and stability of the region keeping in view its size, status and development. India should also be mindful of the fact that it would not be appropriate to bring whole the region on the edge of instability for the sake of its quest or whatever other reason. India should also realize the pain and agony through which Pakistan is passing to bring peace for whole world, and refrain from escalating tension at LOC.

International community should also feel and consider the sensitivity of the issue, and must not behave like a passive observer. Tribute must be paid to Pakistan for the extra-ordinary measures that Pakistan has taken, and is still taking in the war against terrorism. Considering the precious sacrifices that have been given by Pakistan in war against terrorism, the international community should take such measures to refrain India from committing irresponsible actions against Pakistan that could be disastrous to the security and stability of the region. On the other hand international community should also be mindful of the fact that Pakistan is only state in region, which is fighting against terrorism not only for its own sake but to ensure the peace at global level.

DISCLAIMER: The author writes for Regional Rapport in a private capacity which is unrepresentative of anyone or any organization except for his own personal views. Nothing written by the author should ever be conflated with the editorial views or official positions of any other media outlet or institution.