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| Kashmir needs a reality audit on aspects of security | | | Jasbir Sarai | 8/26/2011 11:22:59 PM |
| Lieutenant Navdeep Singh, a young Army officer with only six months of service was part of an operation that foiled the largest infiltration bid into Indian territory from across the border during this year. The bid was made along the famed Kishenganga River of the Gurez valley in Kashmir. It was a well planned and well rehearsed attempt as would be done by a professional military organisation. Twelve terrorists were killed in the initial encounter while one was gunned down later. In the course of the operation Lieutenant Navdeep Singh made the supreme sacrifice for the honour and integrity of the country. He lost his life barely six months after he had attained commission into the Army.
Those who were infiltrating were foreign terrorists; they were well trained as is evident from the fierce fight that they put up once they were cornered, the sophistication of their boats points towards the meticulous preparation that had been made to ensure their safe passage. A perusal of the war like contents recovered from the boat (sophisticated weaponry, a massive stock of ammunition, state-of-the art communication devices, explosives et al) points to their intention of setting off a series of violent activities in the region that would have put paid to the emerging environment of normalcy.
Navdeep had completed his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from a reputed business school before opting to join the Army. He could have easily landed a cushy job in the corporate world but he chose to follow the path of his ancestors and joined the Army in keeping with the family traditions. He was the third generation in his family in service of the India Army, before him his father and grandfather had served the force with distinction.
After the joy of his passing out just six month earlier the heart rending news of his martyrdom would have caused a serious blow to his parents and other family members. Yet, on receiving the news of his son’s untimely death, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh’s father, a soldier to the core, very stoically expressed pride on the martyrdom of his son while protecting the honour of his country. Such a statement is only to be expected from a person whose family had had served with distinction in the Indian armed forces; it is deserving of the highest appreciation.
Had the terrorist successfully infiltrated, they would have inflicted untold damage to the people of Kashmir. Lieutenant Navdeep Singh laid down his life to save many more of the Kashmiri people. Ironically, the very force that has been vilified as being an occupation force is fighting tooth and nail to preserve peace and harmony in the state. On the other hand those who claim to have the interests of the state at heart, those who claim to be the legitimate representatives and voice of Kashmir remain mute spectators.
There is a feeling of despondency across the nation due to the martyrdom of young Navdeep Singh. Yet, in certain quarters an ominous silence prevails. One wonders why the kinds of Syed Ali Shah Geelani who would normally have raised a hue and cry had there been any loss of civilian human life as part of collateral damage, have not come forward to express their sympathies for the family of Lieutenant. Navdeep Singh? Or is it that they would rather have the valley being held to ransom by the war mongers across who are showing no signs of giving up on their unholy agenda of violence. Lieutenant Navdeep Singh’s sacrifice has certainly not been acknowledged by those who actually benefitted from this act of bravery, a sad situation indeed.
The change in the infiltration pattern also calls for deep thought and analysis. Earlier infiltration bids would start at the onset of summer and they would taper down once the monsoon came in as a precursor to the setting in of the winter. Now, the bids gain momentum only in the month of July onwards. In this year also nine attempts have been made in the last one month. One wonder if this has something to do with the tourist season and the Amarnath Yatra which facilitate generation of revenue for the people of the Valley. Whose benefit is being kept in mind while opting for this modus operandi, the common man or those belonging to a particular political and feudal class which earns maximum during this period?
The political establishment in Kashmir loses no opportunity in belittling the security forces, making tall claims of the return of normalcy and crying hoarse for the repeal of laws like the Disturbed Area Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. Incident so f this nature prove beyond doubt that despite the tall claims of normalcy, there is no lack of activity on the part of the terrorist organisations. It is due to the vigilance and alacrity with which our security forces function that the terrorist organisations have not met with success that they are desperately looking for. The Indian army has, for long, performed in a commendable manner under conditions of extreme duress in the valley of Kashmir. It has taken almost two decades of bitter losses to restore a semblance of normalcy to this region. Even now forces of eviol continue to look for opportunities to turn the tables and bring about an adverse situation as was prevalent earlier. It would serve us well to remember this whenever we, in our complacency, seek to deprecate the noble efforts of our security forces. It is purely because of them that all those who would like to comment on the situation in Kashmir have an issue to speak of. There is a need to carry out a reality audit of the role being played by security forces in Kashmir and its significance so that obtrusive voices are nipped in the bud once and for all.
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