Peace in Kashmir & Challenges Before Security Forces
By Jaibans Singh
Chandigarh, January 18, 2019: The situation of violence in Kashmir is the direct outcome of a reprehensible foreign agenda to strike at the fabric of the Indian nation, with the intention of breaking the country. The security forces in Kashmir are performing a most difficult, sensitive and challenging task. The soldiers have to balance between the need to break down the evil foreign sponsored agenda and at the same time ensure that the people do not suffer.
On both counts the security forces have acquitted themselves very well in the year gone by. Counter terrorist operations in Kashmir met with exceptional success. With 258 terrorist killed, 58 apprehended and five surrenders the count far exceeded the previous years.
Most importantly, as many as nine A-Plus category terrorists, who formed the top strategic leadership of various groups, were killed during the year, leaving a huge leadership void. The operational success was achieved with minimum loss to civilian life and property which was yet another big achievement for the security forces.
Such success does not come by easily! It is the outcome of meticulous planning, synergetic effort, excellent intelligence gathering and a host of other coordination aspects. Good leadership definitely plays a big role in the smooth conduct of operations. The Government gave a free hand to the security forces with a clear direction to rid the area of the curse of terrorism. Senior commanders, on their part, were not hesitant in delegating full authority at the junior leadership operating on ground. Having delegated the authority, the senior commanders remained firm and steadfast in application of the laid down policy.
Cowardly attempts by the enemy to instigate civilians towards disruption of the operations did not make the forces relent from their objective; they, instead, formulated good operating procedures for crowd control that worked well.
The senior commanders also demonstrated, on more occasions than one, their intention to stand with their troops despite the massive propaganda campaign unleashed by the enemy and the pressure exerted by some vested political interests and pliable media.
Undeterred by the negative perceptions attempted to be created, the Army Commander of the Northern Command, Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh, during his interactions with the media minced no words in warning Pakistan that his command would punish the country for any activities that are detrimental to the security interests of India.
“The message is clear to all troops on the ground that should Pakistan not stop from carrying out any activity which is detrimental to our national interest, they should be punished accordingly,” he said in November, 2018. In yet another statement directed at Pakistan has said that his command would constantly, “retain and refine its capabilities and be prepared for any contingency at any time.”
The statement by the Army Commander gave a big boost to the morale of the troops on ground and a sense of confidence to the nation that things are well in control. More importantly, it took the wind out of the sails of the enemy’s vituperative propaganda campaign.
The Army has also paid particular attention to the security of the Line of Control (LOC) by augmenting the fencing with smart technology and further strengthening it physically. The effort has accrued excellent results in neutralising of infiltrating terrorists.
It is for this reason that the number of foreign terrorists operating in Kashmir is at an all time low and the local recruits do not have enough weapons, ammunition and other equipment. The Army, on its part, has improved on its weapon and equipment profile with state-of-the-art Sniper Rifles, Bullet Proof Jackets and other essential operational equipment. Provision of better administrative facilities has vastly improved living conditions leading to more operational efficiency.
The Army Commander Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh, has marked uplifting the youth of Kashmir is a key Result Area (KRA) for the Army’s civilian welfare initiative - Operation Sadbhavna. Special attention was paid to this aspect all through the year gone by. The second edition of Hunar-e-Kashmir, an annual Youth festival organised by the Srinagar based Chinar Corps held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention centre in October, 2018.
The scale was much larger than the previous edition; it also included a performance by noted Bollywood singer Javed Ali. Shri Satya Pal Malik, Hon’ble Governor J&K was invited as chief guest and he personally interacted with the talented Kashmiri participants.