Column

By Ajay Kaul 

Seven years back, when Article 370 was revoked from Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan cried a lot as it was deeply pained.

Seven years later, Pakistan is in deep pain again, albeit for a different reason.

In 2019, it was troubled because a new promising chapter was being written in the history of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 due to revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted the state a status different from other states in the Union of India.

Today, Pakistan is troubled because the parts of Jammu and Kashmir under its illegal occupation are witnessing an uprising against the oppression committed by Islamabad for the last 78 years.

The people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), occupied by it since 1947, have finally woken up and are keen to liberate themselves from the oppressive rule of the Pakistani regime.

For the last two months, POJK has been witnessing a relentless mass agitation, with lakhs of people continuously on the streets all over the region in total defiance of the Pakistani regime despite the extreme forms of barbarity unleashed on them by the occupying forces.

With each passing day, anger among the public is mounting as Pakistani forces kill and injure more and more people in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Rough estimates say that at least 100 people have been killed and over 500 injured in repeated firing and shelling by the Pakistani forces in their unsuccessful attempts to crush the agitation.

However, the actual death toll and injury figure is believed to be much higher since the Pakistani forces have been ensuring disappearance of bodies and injured people.

The agitation, which began for basic rights and against the political frauds committed by the Pakistani regime in the occupied region, has now turned into a full-fledged rebellion, with locals demanding Pakistan leave the territories.

Peace in Kashmir Valley

Meanwhile, India’s Kashmir, for whose destruction Pakistan spent billions of dollars for decades, is peaceful and progressing.

The people of Kashmir on this side of the Line of Control (LoC) are living life as they wish to. They move freely wherever and whenever they want to. Children regularly attend schools and colleges. Businesses are going on and new projects of development are being executed.

Even at nights, people enjoy outings with families and friends on the banks of the scenic Dal Lake which are dotted with fast food joints and ice cream vendors.

Life is as normal as anywhere in the world, without any disruptions created till years back by Pakistan-sponsored proxies.

There is no fear of sudden ‘hartal’ (shutdown), or stone-pelting or getting caught in cross-firing between terrorists and security forces.

In real terms, the people of Kashmir have got Independence and they feel and live it, every day.

While it can’t be denied that the few residual terrorists do strike at times on the directions of Pakistani masters, but the fear of terror that existed in the environment is gone.

There was a time when terrorists and overground separatists, supported by and owing allegiance to Pakistan, were effectively in command of Kashmir valley and some parts of Jammu region.

Their number may have been just in thousands even during the peak of terrorism but the fear they instilled among the local police, administration and common public made them control the affairs of Kashmir.

This kind of fear was instilled through the targeted killings of those who dared not to heed to their diktats and others labeled as “Mukhbir (informer)” of the security forces.

But that kind of situation exists no more, much to the chagrin of Pakistan which desperately wanted destabilization in Jammu and Kashmir because of its nefarious objective of annexing it.

There has been a complete transformation.

As the number of terrorists has been reduced to negligible levels, the fear of terror does not exist, because of which the people of Kashmir can live and enjoy real freedom.

How did it happen?

Since over a decade, and particularly after revocation of Article 370 in 2019, a very tough policy has been adopted against terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir and it is being implemented well.

Security agencies and forces have gone after the terrorists, which has resulted in the elimination of most of them.

A sustained crackdown is also underway against the critical support base, comprising the so-called ‘Over Ground Workers (OGWs)’, of terrorists. These OGWs or ‘Terrorist Associates’ have formed an extremely crucial element of terrorism.

Besides, the separatist leaders and other anti-national elements, who used to mobilize mobs and cause street violence, have been put behind the bars under tough laws, ensuring no bail to them.

This has ensured an end to anarchy witnessed earlier on the streets of Kashmir Valley.

Nowadays, people of Kashmir proudly carry the Indian flag in public and freely celebrate all national occasions with fervour.

They don’t need to fear pro-Pakistan elements anymore.

Breaking the backbone of terrorism

The sustained crackdown on OGWs has been the most important feature of ending the reign of terror in Kashmir.

These are the elements who form the critical support system for terrorists — people who carry out terror attacks.

The OGWs, including even women, are those people who provide logistical support, like hiding places, food and other essentials, to terrorists.

Many a time, they also perform the role of couriers of arms and ammunition for the terrorists.

Such seemingly common people are also the “eyes and ears” of terrorists.

Considering all these, their actions are no less than those of the people who carry out the actual terrorist crimes.

For a long period, such elements were treated in a milder manner, with little punishments, which would enable them to continue their anti-national activities and facilitate terror attacks.

But, lately they are being treated at par with terrorists. This measure has made a big contribution in crushing terrorism in Kashmir.

Forfeiture of properties of terrorists and their hideouts

In recent years, the authorities have also been sealing or confiscating properties of terrorists and those helping them.

This action also has hit at the root of the terrorism as it has ensured denial of hiding places for terrorists amidst the human habitations. In view of this, the few terrorists, that remain, have been forced to go into dense forests to hide.

Because of these actions, scope has also been drastically reduced for the aspiring terrorists because of the repercussions, particularly the economic ones.

With terrorism on its death bed, Kashmir is moving towards a brighter future amidst peace.

Ends