J&K now fears a war ‘much worse’

Many people here in Kashmir wish to take Sunday’s deadly attack in Uri with a grain of salt. They and others who see it as nothing but a terrorist attack are, however, also of the opinion that it is sure to have “far-reaching consequences” for the ongoing political turmoil in the Valley. There are fears that the attack may spark a military conflict between India and Pakistan which will be “much, much worse” to happen, particularly, for Jammu and Kashmir and its people.

“Who will be benefitting from it in the prevailing situation in the Kashmir Valley” was the crucial question asked by 14 out of 20 people interviewed by this correspondent on Monday. Four others were categorical in stating that this was a handiwork of those who want to bail themselves out after perpetuating “terrible human rights violations” during the ten-week unrest in the Kashmir Valley. The remaining two called it a terrorist attack.

Mohd. Afzal Akhoon, a retired government official, who called it a “foolish act”, said he would curse the luck of Kashmiris as the Army base was targeted at a time “when the outside world was willing to listen to our heart and follow what feels true for us.”

Endorsing him, Nazir Ahmed Lone, a small time trader, said, “Those who matter would now talk less about the suffering of the people of Kashmir and more on the Uri attack. The focus of the attention would be killing of 17 soldiers and not that of 86 civilians.”

Journalist and political commentator Gowhar Geelani, however, strongly feels that the “unfortunate Uri attack will still not change the fact that Indian forces killed 87 teenagers, injured 13,000 and blinded hundreds in Kashmir” during the unrest set off by the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahedin commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani on July 8.

“It undoubtedly is a terrorist act but who did it and why this time was chosen for it is something very crucial to know for us the people living in Kashmir, the Indians and Pakistanis alike. A thorough and impartial probe alone will answer these questions,” said Innayatullah Qadri, a former university professor. He pointed out that the Uri attack took place at a time when Kashmir unrest and related issues were likely to draw some attention of the world community during the 71st Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71).

Some of those interviewed were also of the opinion that the Uri attack has given more teeth and moral dispensation to the government to deal firmly with the separatist movement in Jammu and Kashmir and, more importantly, an opportunity to fling and portray it as a campaign which, at least, has the backing of terrorists at home and abroad.

Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, looks at it more seriously though. She said, “The Uri attack is aimed at creating a war-like situation in the region. It seemingly is also meant to trigger fresh violence within Jammu and Kashmir.”

Already many people across the country including politicians and former Army generals have asked for exploring military operations to “nip the terrorism in the bud.” They precisely want limited war which could be starting “hot pursuit operations” across the Line of Control (LoC). While Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has vowed the perpetrators of the Uri attack will not go unpunished, BJP’s national general secretary Ram Madhav has asserted that days of restraint are over and suggested that “for one tooth, the complete jaw” should be the policy.

That is giving anxious moments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have suffered enormously during previous India-Pakistan wars and the 27-year-old insurgency within the state. In fact, for the people living in the border belt it already is war-like situation and they fear worse can happen in coming days if restraint is not exercised by the people at the helm in Delhi and Islamabad.

But some people would still want India to go in for war against Pakistan thinking this is the “opportune time” for the venture. “2.8 kms into #Pakistan, Indian Army can capture it in few hours. Once Haji Peer pass is captured, Muzaffarabad is ours. #UriAttack,” tweeted Kashmiri Pandit activist Pawan Durani. Apparently upset at the cross-LoC bus ‘Karvan-e-Aman’ resuming service on scheduled between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad on Monday, a day after the Uri attack, he asked, “Oh! Is this the complete jaw we were told in exchange of a tooth Shri @rammadhavbjp Ji ”

Independent lawmaker and fiery leader of regional Awami Itehad Party, Engineer Sheikh Abdur Rashid, however, chose to pose a question in the backdrop of the Uri attack. “How long will mothers in India and Jammu and Kashmir continue to receive coffins of their beloved ones ” He appealed India and Pakistan “to shun animosity and blame game in the interest of people of the sub-continent”. He said, “In absence of an organised mechanism, India often blames Pakistan for facilitating infiltration of militants in J&K and indulging in ceasefire violations. Whatsoever the facts maybe, Indian biased media and Indian politicians very often try to score brawny points after every such incident but it is the people of J&K who suffer because of that propaganda,” he said and asked, “If Government of India sincerely wants to resolve all disputes with Pakistan and believes in maintaining the sanctity of the LoC, it should give up the blame game and agree to internationally recognised mechanism and procedure to monitor all such issues.”