Security measures

Army suspects stepping up of infiltration bid by Jihadis from across the LOC in J&K. They could

take advantage of snowfall and fog that obstruct  surveillance and detection of clandestine movement along the LoC. Reports reveal that terror structure remains intact in POK. No attempt has been made by Pakistan to dismantle it. Infiltrators whom Pakistani official circles call "non-state actors" are now the activists of Pakistan-based various jihadi legions who have different branches for different operational activities. Lashkar-eTaiyyab and Hizbul Mujahedeen, have been and continue to be active in J&K. Al Nasreen, hitherto less known jihadi organization came into prominence after their last summer adventure in Samba military camp. These jihadi organizations are directly under the patronage and control of Pakistan army and ISI.

Armed jihadi legions have been entrusted with the task of destabilizing J&K State and disrupting elections to the Assembly and the Parliament. Elections to them are red rag to the bull. Hurriyat is and separatists are loath to take part in elections. They are sceptical about their success in direct political fight with their adversaries and traditional political opponents. On the level of international community they find themselves getting disarmed when they are asked why they don't participate in elections. International groups of observers watching election proceedings in J&K during recent past elections have all reported that these elections are fair and free. This repudiates the propaganda that elections in J&K are not fair. Obviously, feeling frustrated in their desire to grab power, the separatists and their sympathizers feel that taking up the gun is the only way of grabbing power. The more they spread disorder, the more palpable response they expect from the public. For this reason, it become necessary for army and security forces to abort all bids of infiltration.

The three day visit of GOC-in-C Northern Command, Lt. Gen. Sanjiv Chachra, accompanied by 15 Corps Commander Lt Gen Gurmit Singh to forward areas, particularly Baramulla and Kupwara, the traditional routes adopted by the infiltrators, was to make assessment of preparedness of our soldiers guarding the LoC in conditions of harsh climate and difficulties of access during severe winter and the season of snowfall. It should be reminded that our vigilant Army has frustrated innumerable bids of infiltration during the current year and the past with the result that the enemy has achieved no success in reaching its purpose. Field Commanders have apprised the Army Commander of their preparedness to take on the infiltrators if and when they dare to make venture for infiltration. Periodical visits of top commanders usually boost the morale of officers and soldiers deployed for the protection and security of the border. The Army Commander took the opportunity of interacting with field commanders and soldiers at various places and he told them that there are clear instructions to the army to have zero tolerance about human rights and to sustain peace in J&K irrespective of threats. He spoke about the issue of human rights and asserted that the army is strictly commanded not to tolerate violation of human rights. He said that much noise had been raised about AFSPA but the reality on the ground is that the Army has very rarely invoked AFSPA while conducting anti-terrorist operations in Kashmir.

It has to be recalled that for long decades till the eruption of insurgency in 1990, army-civilian administration relations were laudably cordial. Even on local level, there was perfect understanding between the civilians and the army Jawans. But with the surfacing of separatists, secessionists, fundamentalists and other anti-India elements, a vicious propaganda against the army was unleashed and wild charges and accusations were brought against the army. Sections of press, the beneficiaries of the largesse of Pakistani intelligence agencies, have lent their support to this maligning campaign and vitiated the otherwise cordial atmosphere between the army and civilians.

Notwithstanding great maligning mission of these treasonable elements, from 1992 till date, only 39 cases of alleged human rights violations were reported of which 9 have been closed by the police for being fake ones. In 8 cases, army Jawans and officers were found involved and they have been dealt with in the light of the law. In 95 per cent cases of alleged violation of human rights, it was found that these were fabricated and politically motivated. It has to be noted that nobody from among the much touted human rights organizations in or outside the state ever utters a word about the human rights violations caused by the militants against the security forces and the civilians.

The separatists feel that the Jihadis have a divine right to attack soldiers on duty and civilians running their normal chores of life, and they are not answerable. But when a soldier retaliates either in action or in self defence his act is termed as violation of human rights. They forget that not to speak of soldiers even criminals have their human rights.

It is highly appreciable that the Army Commander has conducted the tour and raised the morale of Jawans in anticipation of elections to be held just after four months from now. We want a democratically elected government to be in place because the power and strength of the nation and the might of the state draw inspiration from our democratic dispensation.

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Courtesy: The Daily Excelsior: 7th January, 2014