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| Pakistan obfuscating discourse on terror | | |
SANT KUMAR SHARMA
JAMMU, NOV 25: The Pakistan government’s accusation against India of ``preparing for a limited war’’ against it appears to be an attempt to distort facts and deflect criticism from its failure to take action
against the perpetrators of the 26/11/08 carnage in Mumbai.
Since the world is clearly focusing on the lack of any visible progress in the case, it is not surprising that Pakistan has asked the international community to take notice of Delhi’s ``long term
intentions’’.
According to some Pakistani newspapers, Pakistan foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit has reacted strongly to the reported remarks of the Indian Chief of Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor.
Speaking here at a function, Gen Kapoor had reportedly warned that a “limited war under a nuclear overhang is still very much a reality in the subcontinent’’.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that a high-ranking Indian official has made such remarks. This is the established policy of the nation and the Indian establishment is clear that despite
nuclearisation of the sub-continent, it may not have any option but to be ready for a limited conventional war to defend itself, if pushed beyond a point.
It was in this context that Gen Kapoor had said some time ago that India cannot allow a repetition of 26/11 on its soil. His reported remarks made here on Tuesday should be seen in the light of continued
threats of terror attacks.
Over eight years ago, the then Northern Command chief, Lt Gen R K Nanavaty, had made similar remarks at a seminar conducted at Jammu University and co-organised by Nagrota-based 16 Corps.
The seminar was organised in the university on October 31, 2001, some time before the December 13 attack on the Indian Parliament. Almost prophetically, Lt Gen Nanavaty had warned that with the ``passage of time, Pakistan’s role and involvement has dwarfed that of the Kashmiri
separatist. Today, we are faced with a relentless covert war, in the guise of a freedom struggle – planned, organized, directed, coordinated and controlled by Pakistan.’’
Eight years later, we are reproducing Lt Gen Nanavaty’s keynote address delivered at Jammu University.
JAMMU & KASHMIR: THE WAY AHEAD
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
(By Lt Gen R K Nanavaty)
31 OCT 01
Introduction
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Your Excellency, The Governor, Shri Omar Abdullah, Honourable Minister of State for External Affairs, Professor Sharma, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu; Lieutenant General Yadava, General Officer Commanding 16 Corps, members of the faculty; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
It is indeed an honour and a privilege to be invited to deliver the keynote address at this Seminar, which looks at the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Way Ahead.
The conflict in Jammu and Kashmir arguably presents the most serious challenge to the security of our Nation, today. This Seminar provides us an opportunity to offer solutions to resolve the conflict. And, what better place to have it than Jammu, the shared capital of our troubled State.
I wish to compliment the University of Jammu and 16 Corps for their courage and commitment in conceiving the idea, and hosting this Seminar.
Conflict in Jammu and Kashmir
The problem in Jammu and Kashmir is unusually complex. Essentially an internal conflict situation arising out of the nation’s failure to meet the aspirations of a section of its peoples, it has been exploited by Pakistan to serve its own geo-strategic ends. With the passage of time, Pakistan’s role and involvement has dwarfed that of the Kashmiri separatist. Today, we are faced with a relentless covert war, in the guise of a freedom struggle – planned, organized, directed, coordinated and controlled by Pakistan. Her aims appear clear. She seeks the accession of Jammu and Kashmir or parts thereof. At the very least, she would like to see India dispossessed of the State of Jammu and Kashmir so that she might, at some convenient time in the future, assimilate the region. The people of Jammu and Kashmir and their aspirations are of no real concern to Pakistan.
Resolution of Conflict in Jammu and Kashmir
The accession of the erstwhile princely State of Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India is an indisputable fact recorded in history. The nation, therefore, has the right, the moral obligation and the duty to protect its sovereignty and integrity.
The reclamation of occupied territories – Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and Northern Areas – however, is quite another matter. It is achievable but would demand extraordinary synergy of political, diplomatic, economic, intelligence and military effort, together with an uncharacteristic single-mindedness of purpose. The matter is beyond the purview of this Seminar.
The real challenge before India today is to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. There are two aspects of the task. The first is to ``persuade’’ Pakistan to desist from continuing the covert war and its support to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The second is to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the State. And, there is no reason why the one must wait for the other.
Pakistan must be made to realize that it can only persist with its gross interference in our internal affairs, at its own peril. Not so long ago, the blatant aggression that we are witness to today would have been cause enough to go to war. Indeed, in August 1965, the situation was not entirely dissimilar and we were compelled to undertake limited conventional operations in the Hajipir bulge. The nuclearisation of the sub-continent, may have altered the situation but space still exists for limited conventional war. (emphasis supplied). Whilst every effort must be made – politically, diplomatically and economically – to deter Pakistan, we must remain prepared to exercise the military option. (emphasis supplied) Our military response will be deliberated and carefully calibrated. Our policies cannot be driven solely by the logic of asymmetrical situations existing between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Middle East or the more recent United States led coalition against the Taliban in Afghanistan. We will have to wait and watch to see how the US led global war of terror unfolds. Whatever the outcome, we will have to continue to fight our own battles.
But even as we endeavour to dissuade Pakistan from pursuing its perilous subversive course against India, there is no reason why we should not embark vigorously on the task of restoration of normalcy in the State. In democratic states, the restoration of normalcy in internal conflict situations is beset by numerous difficulties. An elected government in the state represents the will of the people and yet such a government, because of its own compulsions, is sometimes at odds with the Central Government, which is in many ways, the provider. This in turn can lead the government machinery to try and micro-manage issues which are best left to the State.
Resolution of internal conflict calls for two essentials. Firstly, a long term aim, strategy and plan which is all encompassing, enduring and flexible. This should include political, diplomatic, social, economic, psychological and military efforts and be capable of withstanding political change. Secondly, it demands unity of effort – of the varied and powerful instruments of state. This is best achieved by instituting an appropriate structure and organization and by assigning clearly defined responsibilities. The Central Government must chalk out the aim, strategy and broad plan in conjunction with the State Government, provide the necessary resources and then leave its detailed execution to the players in the State.
In J&K today, we need to look beyond the mere number of terrorists neutralized. If the aspirations of the people are to be fulfilled and normalcy is to be restored, our deliberations will need to address the following issues:
- Encouraging viable political alternatives that can only help enhance and strengthen the democratic process in the state.
- Centre- State relations and autonomy within the parameters of the Constitution.
- Meeting the aspirations of the peoples of the disparate regions in the State, including the Kashmiri Pandits.
- Internal development, economic regeneration and employment.
- Strengthening of the law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
- Rehabilitating the Kashmiri Separatist.
- Isolating the foreign terrorist.
- Reducing the alienation of the people.
Militancy in the Jammu and Ladakh Regions
13. We must preempt the spread of militancy in the Jammu and Ladakh regions through good governance and internal development. Equally, the people themselves must play a significant role. Extracting political mileage out from every unfortunate incident – bandhs, strikes and hartals – scarcely behove a brave and patriotic people. Besides, they place an intolerable strain on an already beleaguered police force. What is required from our citizens of the region is a high degree of awareness, discipline and participation in the fight against terror.
Role of the Media
And, lastly, a word about the media. Recently, the power of the ``Fourth Estate’’ was brought home sharply to us. On 15 October, in response to persistent attempts at infiltration and sabotage by terrorists assisted by the Pakistan Army, we carried out a series of engagements against Pakistan military posts, which had assisted the terrorists. This was strictly as per our existing rules of engagement. The only difference was that as part of an attempt to be transparent, the action this time was accompanied by a press release. And we all know what happened. A routine engagement using battalion weapons became a ``massive punitive strike’’; 11 bunkers and field fortifications reportedly damaged became ``11 posts destroyed’’ and a total of 14 terrorists killed in the series of counter-infiltration encounters on the Line of Control became ``30 terrorists killed’’ in the engagement itself. The strikes were linked to the appointment of the Defence Minister and the visit of the US Secretary of State. Senior defence analysts argued endlessly about the ``timing’’ and ``motives’’ of the operation. There were reverberations, not just in India and Pakistan, but in the US as well. The media did not merely report an incident, they very nearly created one! In the present context, we need the media more than ever before to keep the people informed and to help us mould public opinion in support of a peaceful resolution of the conflict. We request the media to demonstrate objectivity, shun sensationalism, challenge motivated reports and respect our need for confidentiality of operational information, in particular. I have a message for the Pakistan Army opposite Northern Command and let us see if the media gets its right –
``We are committed to restraint along the Line of Control and the International Boundary in J&K. If, however, the Pakistan Army or terrorists assisted by the Pakistan Army, continue to carry out hostile acts to include sabotage, infiltration, raids or intrusion in violation of the Shimla Agreement, we reserve the right to take military action against Pakistani military and / or terrorist targets as deemed appropriate.’’
Conclusion
In sum, I would like to say that in no democratic state can a section of its people be permitted to take recourse to the use of force and violence to achieve political objectives, no matter what their grievances. The task before us in J&K is clear – dissuade Pakistan, fulfill the aspirations of the people and restore normalcy. The campaign will be long and hard no let no one mistake our resolve and ability to ultimately prevail.
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