Arun Joshi

There never was and never will be a consensus on what the definition of terrorism is. After the terror attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama on Thursday last, India thought that the world would join it viewing the attack from the same prism as it did.

But it did not. Pakistan has its own compulsions and obligations wrapped in its “diplomatic, political and moral support to Kashmiris” to deflect the attention from the terror attack. It may seek refuge in asking for evidence to act against the non-state actors if they were involved in the crime, but how can it wipe out the fact that the Jaish-e-Mohammad operates under its direct patronage on its soil? It is pointless to expect Pakistan to act against terrorists operating from its soil. It will never act against its strategic assets.

The point to ponder, however, is why within Jammu and Kashmir there is no unanimity in calling it a terror attack. There have been various definitions given to it, and some elements have justified it, for they think that the Indian might has been humbled. The ghastly scenes at the blast site in Lethpora, Pulwama, seemed to have been relayed from Iraq and other deadly places in the world. That is not something that makes any place or people proud of. Still there exists a class that sees merit in bloodshed.

Only a realistic investigation free from all the trappings of fairly tale conclusions can help the nation to get to the roots of the origin of the attack and the psyche that worked behind it. It is a question of the credibility of the investigating agencies.

The importance of an in-depth study of the circumstances in which Adil Ahmad Dar of Pulwama became a suicide bomber cannot be undermined. It needs to be studied both at the micro and macro level. Adil is a subject matter of a case study, while the attendant aspects should be probed with the intent to prevent the recurrence of such attacks. It is equally necessary to subdue the urge to die and kill among the radicalised elements.

To say that Pakistan and social media are radicalising the would-be militants or suicide bombers is too simplistic an explanation for what has gone wrong.

Some of the ugly incidents that have taken place in the days following the attack in some of the places across the country, including Jammu, are rife with ominous portents as it is not the reflection of the same spirit that calls for action against the perpetrators of the attack and their mentors sitting across the border.

It needs to be understood whether in the name of punishing the supporters of the attackers on the security forces, are wings being given to the aspirational militants currently busy with studies? The need is to tackle the sources of terrorism and not create new crucibles for the same.

Courtesy:The Tribune,Feb 18,2019