Answer to a number of questions will have to be given in the context of Pakistani LeT operatives’ attack at Narsu near Samroli, about 17 km from Udhampur. Two BSF jawans were martyred while fighting back the assailants and 13 were inujured.
The terrorists sneaked into our side somewhere in Kupwara sector before the onset of Ramadan. Kupwara/Tangdhar is a vulnerable sector in North Kashmir to infiltration by Pakistani terrorists. Our army has a strong presence in the region yet notwithstanding that Pakistani terrorists succeeded in sneaking into our side of the LoC. How many were in the group in which the captured Pakistani terrorist, naming himself Naveed, was included? Where are the rest of them? These questions will have to be answered by the forces guarding the border. Obviously, the group had reliable contacts/conduits on this side of the LoC who guided them to hideouts. This casts aspersion on local police and intelligence agencies. How come they did not have any information of a group hiding somewhere close to the border in safe houses and for over a month? Whatever the case, security along the LoC and intelligence coverage of areas/villages close to the LoC needs to be drastically upgraded.
Secondly, as per the statement of the captured terrorist, in Kashmir they have been living with LeT activists and moving around fearlessly in the area and establishing contacts with local LeT moles who are spread across the valley from north to south. How come their movement has remained unnoticed to police. This gives rise to suspicion that calls the integrity of the intelligence sleuths into question. It is a clear indication that the LeT moles have established widespread network in the valley. These networks are active, and obviously, over ground. How many of them have developed their regional base is not known.
Thirdly, how come that the truck in which these terrorists travelled from Kulgam to Narsu near Samroli in Udhampur district was not checked by the traffic or regular police during the long distance it covered? There are several check posts on the National Highway and there is thick sprinkling of police and traffic posts. Even if they were clad in civilian dress but they carried arms and ammunition with them which could not be kept hidden if there was a search. The inference is that the police and traffic police deployed along Highway is incompetent. Sense of responsibility demands that the police functionaries on duty from Kulagam right up to Narsu where the attack on BSF convoy was launched should be immediately suspended.
Thirdly, why did the Pakistani terrorist choose Narsu locality for attacking the Amarnath pilgrims? How come they appeared on the identified scene precisely around the time when the first convoy of pilgrims usually passes that point? Two things are very clear: one is that they had made good survey of the area much ahead of the day and time of attack. They had also rightly calculated the time when the caravan of buses carrying pilgrims to Amarnath would pass by that point. It is just a freak of chance that they were late by hardly ten minutes and the army convoy followed the pilgrim caravan. Killing the pilgrims would have served two purposes of Pakistan. One was to create great commotion and resentment among the Hindu masses of India on the killing of pilgrims and thereby force India to take some precipitate action against Pakistan. Pakistan desperately wants India to retaliate militarily so that Pakistan Army has the reason to oust the civilian government and impose military rule over Pakistan. In doing so, Pakistan Army hopes to garner massive support from civil society for its overt or covert action against India. The second purpose was to discourage the pilgrims from continuing their onward pilgrimage; cut it short and return to the plains of India. Pakistan has been instigating Kashmiris to stage demonstrations against the pilgrimage of Indians to the holy cave of Amarnath ji. Kashmir valley has already been cleansed ethnically. Pilgrims coming in large numbers to the holy cave is perceived as indirect method of Indianization of the valley, where the faith preached by Abdul Wahhab of Saudi Arabia is now receiving great popularity.
It is also very easy to infer that the Kashmir LeT have a well organized and spread out base in South Kashmir, besides Sopore in the north, wherefrom they arranged a truck for carrying them to their destination. The truck driver is the lynch-pin in the entire episode. This should not be brushed aside cheaply. It is indicative of embedded LeT network in South Kashmir. Official rhetoric of reduced militancy has to be berated.
It makes little sense to say that this is a precious catch and irrefutable proof of Pakistan’s involvement. Pakistan disowns the terrorist whom we may capture alive. Moreover, LeT and other terrorist organizations, sponsored and patronized by Pak army and bureaucracy, have said it umpteen times that their mission is to bring about disintegration of India besides annexing Kashmir. Proof or no proof that makes no difference to Pakistan. No media coverage should be given to the event.
Lastly, we salute our brave martyrs of BSF, who laid down their lives while fighting the enemy. They sacrificed their lives for the nation and the grateful nation will hold them in highest esteem. We also say three cheers to the brave VDC members who nabbed the terrorist at the risk of their lives. They also deserve to be given bravery award.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel