Dr Ashok Bhan
Political mud-slinging over incidents marked by huge sacrifices by martyrs is highly reprehensible. Having been a witness to scores of such sacrifices in Jammu and Kashmir when colleagues in uniformed forces, to uphold the integrity of the country, were blown off in explosions or killed or injured in dastardly attacks in Pakistan sponsored proxy-war; it is very painful to see using these incidents to settle petty political scores.
This coming from individuals who have occupied high constitutional positions is even more regretful. We are not only demoralizing the security apparatus but unwittingly playing into the hands of the enemy. No right thinking Indian would want to do that.
Indian Army and Police Forces have been facing a brand of terrorism from Pakistan that is characterized by symbolic attacks, multiple targets and high casualties. It is a war where there is no face to face enemy. The enemy has the choice of timing and the target. There are no readymade solutions. The forces have been through years of hands-on-training and acquired expertise the hard way. It is not to say that mistakes don’t occur. The mistakes have made us wiser to strengthen the security grid through synergy, training, equipment and legislations. But to magnify these mistakes to score political points or use such incidents for political gains is condemnable. The sacrifices of these brave hearts need instead to be venerated.
Besides dozens of dastardly suicidal attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in late 1999 and 2000, four high profile terror incidents immediately come to mind where Pakistan’s complicity was proved beyond any doubt. In three of these incidents- the attack on Jammu and Kashmir Assembly at Srinagar on 1st October 2001; the attack on our Parliament on 13th December, 2001; and the Mumbai terror attacks from 26th to 29th November 2008- the bravery displayed by the security forces personnel and police were of the highest order.
In the fourth, the Pulwama attack on 14th February 2019, the 40 CRPF personnel killed in a suicidal attack had no opportunity to retaliate. Pakistan had taken the proxy war to a different level. India rightly retaliated on 26th February 2019 with Indian Air Force Jets striking on Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp in Balakot inside Pakistan. Any uncharitable comments on the Pulwama incident are, therefore, demoralizing to the forces working on the ground.
Having been a witness to the Srinagar Assembly attack in October 2001 as IG Police Kashmir Zone, the bravery and commitment of the SOG personnel and senior officers was remarkable. The Director General of Police and all senior officers were soon on the spot as bullets were exchanged. While terrorists, who had entered the Assembly premises after ramming an explosive laden Tata Sumo at the main Gate, were hurling grenades and firing, policemen brought out over 200 employees, visitors and legislatures to safety. All three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad were killed. JeM claimed the responsibility with Pakistani national Wajahad Hussain being the suicide bomber causing most of the deaths of passers-by at the Assembly gate.
In Jammu and Kashmir, since 1990 over 6000 SF personnel including over 1700 police personnel have sacrificed their lives fighting the proxy- war. It is only fair that the grateful nation must appreciate the good work that the forces are doing instead of criticizing lapses in hindsight.
Soon after the Srinagar assembly attack, Pakistan based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Indian Parliament on 13th December 2001. The Police personnel did not allow the terrorists to enter the building and killed all 5 terrorists who had infiltrated into the complex. 6 Delhi Police personnel, 2 Parliament Security staff and a gardener were killed. Once again the Police personnel had proved themselves equal to the task despite heavy odds.
The Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 left 175 people including 9 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists’ dead. The 10th terrorist Ajmal Kasab was arrested, tried and executed. Despite being scantily equipped and aware of facing certain death, policemen chased the terrorists. Joint CP Hemant Karkare, ACP Ashok Kamte and Inspector Vijay Salaskar were killed in a narrow lane on 27th November 2008 soon after one of them had hit and immobilized Ajmal Kasab. While there can be questions on the availability of intelligence, the bravery of officers and men of Mumbai Police was of the top order.
The bravery displayed by security forces and police in fighting proxy war let loose by Pakistan beginning with insurgency in Punjab in mid-80s has been exemplary and worth praising. It is not easy to sustain the response to such warfare for such a long period of over four decades. The security forces and state police forces need a pat on the back. They don’t deserve off the cuff remarks denigrating them for individual and political goals. Our martyrs and brave personnel of uniformed forces are a precious national asset. We must spare the martyrs from political slugfest.
(The author is Former Director General of Police and Former Member, National Security Advisory Board)
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