by Brig Arun Bajpai

One can understand the soft approach of Congress to the Pattharbaj and trouble creator youth in Kashmir Valley because their brethren are vote bank of Congress in rest of India. But then why is Modi Government so soft on these Pattharbaj of Kashmir Valley working on the directions of Pakistani Army and their paid stooges in Kashmir Valley the Hurriyat trio of Mirwaiz, Geelani and Yasin Malik, to throw stones at security forces and help Pakistan sponsored jihadist to run away during encounters? At the beginning of Ramzan, Indian Home Minster declared cease fire in K Valley, instructing all security forces, including Army to not to act against these Pattharbaj and Jehadis. Aim was to give some respite to the people of Kashmir Valley during this holy period of Ramzan. However the shenanigans of Pattharbaj and jihadists continue un abated so what purpose this cease fire? To hand over the initiative to jihadists and Pattharbaj from the security forces who had regained it after great sacrifice of life and limb? God knows who advises our Netas?

This Friday the 01 June 2018, A CRPF gypsy jeep, moving in front of Jama Masjid of Srinagar was pounced upon by the Pattharbaj crowd returning after prayers in Mosque and started throwing stones at it. Two Pattharbaj climbed the gypsy bonnet. The CRPF driver rightly tried to get out this melee. In the bargain one Pattharbaj on bonnet of the vehicle slipped in front of it and died. So now the Valley is tense and Pattharbaj are raring to go. The local police have registered FIR against the CRPF driver with no fault of his. Before this, these Pattharbaj have run over two CRPF Jawans who died. But since these lives were lost of security forces peace and quiet prevailed in valley.

Let there be no doubt that the current Modi Government, like Governments before it, are all dealing with these Pattharbaj with kid gloves. The PDP-BJP coalition Government led by Mehbooba Mufti has granted amnesty to these Pattharbaj recently. It is also true that most of her utterances are music to Pakistani ears. So what purpose the Modi Government is achieving by declaring Ramzan cease fire, handing over initiative to jihadists and Pattharbaj and totally demoralising security forces? Does this government think that counter insurgency operations are some sort of water tap which can be opened and closed at will? Jehadis operating on orders of Pakistan and Pattharbaj have totally rejected this cease fire effort of Modi Ji so why continue with it? In last 48 hours the Jehadis of Pakistan based Jaish Mohammad have launched 9 grenade attacks in various places in K Valley injuring large number of security forces. So for whom this ceases fire? Same mistake was done by Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government in K Valley with same results. Don’t our Netas want to learn from history?

Indian political masters now must make up their mind what they want to do with Kashmir? If they want to retain Kashmir then all this nonsense of winning hearts and minds of people of K valley must stop. Do not give so must importance to these Pattharbaj who are basically jihadists with stones. If they do not stay in their homes and interfere in jihadist encounters shoot them like any other jihadists. Once they are convinced that they will be shot they will not leave their homes. Also end this joint command system where same Mehbooba Mufti so soft on Pattharbaj presides over. In Indian constitution there is no mention of any such arrangement. Constitution says if Army is to be involved on long term basis in an insurgency then declare K Valley a disturbed area, impose AFSPA and Governors rule with Mufti Government held in suspended animation. This was the norm earlier. So why this adhocism of joint command? These Pattharbaj of Kashmir Valley fully know what Pakistan is doing in Gilgit Baltistan, POK and Baluchistan. Still if they want to fly Pakistani and IS flags in all their gatherings answer is solid danda where it counts and not appeasement. None of this soft approach please.

Brig Arun Bajpai (Retd) is a distinguished Defence and Strategic Analyst. Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of IDN. IDN does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same