Home Minister Amit Shah did not hide his concern over the terror activities challenging the way of life in Jammu region, and his instructions were clear; hound out terrorists and mount all-time high vigil on the International Border. During his visit to the BOP – Vinay- in Kathua district and in his interaction with BJP MLAs in party office followed by a security review meeting in Raj Bhvan, Srinagar on Tuesday, the Home Minister wanted the normalcy to return to the region soonest possible.
Although the visit of Home Minister to Jammu and Kashmir was scheduled much before Kathua episode started with the terrorists infiltrating in Hirnagar sector on March 23, yet when he came he could perceive that how the terror networks were targeting the region. Pakistan is the main culprit.
Pakistan has been exporting terrorists with arms and ammunition from its side to this side of the border. It is drone-dropping drugs and other illicit material, which is used by the terrorists, their over-ground workers to generate funds for terror activities in the region. It is clear that Islamabad-Rawalpindi are trying to upset the applecart of peace and normalcy in the region, which is very, very critical to overall peace and normalcy in the region. Here, Pakistan is attempting to draw international attention too.
NEWS ANALYSIS
There have been several disturbing incidents starting from ‘fidayeen’ attacks on the army camps, patrols and convoys of the army in which brave soldiers and officers embraced martyrdom. This started from Rajouri-Poonch, the two districts nestled in Pirpanjal along the Line of Control before travelling to Reasi, Kathua, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar. This is more or less the whole of the geography of Jammu region from hills to plains and then again to hills . The impact of each of these terror incidents in which civilians, soldiers and policemen have sacrificed their lives is felt all across the region.
The acts of terror, victims and encounters dislodge the discourse on development and people-centric initiatives of the government, which have transformed the whole of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The foul smell of terrorism is almost absent, but Pakistan wants to inject this virus again.
The Home Minister, during his visit, made it amply clear that Pakistan’s evil designs would not be allowed to succeed. For this, he has asked the security forces to launch an all-out assault on terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, with a special focus on the security and safety of the Jammu region. The Valley has comparatively been calm and free of the visibility of terrorists and their networks. The Valley today is hub of tourism, where millions are visiting to enjoy cool climes.
Terrorism in Jammu region is hurting the economic prospects and, as the propaganda machinery of Pakistan and its agents is working overtime, this can damage many positive prospects in the region. Jammu hosts nearly 10 million pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine; it is stopover for Shri Amarnathji pilgrims. This also is trading nerve center of Jammu and Kashmir. The terror attacks cause disruption. Therefore, it is very important to keep this region safe and secure for its residents and visitors.
The people of the region too will have to work as foot soldiers against terrorism. The village defence guards are doing their job, but they need to be trained in all sorts of weapons and techniques to take on terrorists, particularly when they intrude or pass through border and remote villages. But the vigil of the region is the responsibility of the common people. They need to educate themselves about the strategies terrorists adopt and how to counter the same. A simple act of informing the police or other wings of security forces about the movement of terrorists can save several lives and help security forces in taking action against terrorists in time.
What Home Minister Amit Shah said was necessarily meant for the security forces, but it also is the responsibility of Jammu people to create an atmosphere of confidence to defeat the designs of the terrorists and Pakistan that sponsors them.