S.R.S.D. Memorial Shiksha Shodh Sansthan, Agra, India INQUISITIVE TEACHER A Peer Reviewed Refereed Research Journal ONLINE Volume III, Issue I, June 2016, pp. 58-64 www.srsshodhsansthan.org Pak s Sponsored Terrorism and Problem of Kashmir Anil Kumar Research Scholar, Department of Military Studies Singhania University Pacheri Bari, Jhunjhunu, Raj. Abstract It is paradoxical that on the one hand we have guided missiles but misguided men on the other ready to become terrorists. The present paper reveals how terror entered in Jammu & Kashmir, destroyed the values on which a nation is being built and became a big threat to the development of nation and ultimately the whole world. The peace in Kashmir can prevail only when there is restoration of peace and tranquility with in Kashmir; and the second, the end of the Proxy war. Introduction India has been a victim of terrorism for the past more than two decades. Terrorism has been used a means to destroy the values on which our nation is built. Terrorist groups enjoy patronage and sanctuaries and don t lack in resources. The tribal invasion of Kashmir, aided and assisted by Pakistani forces, was the first instance of sponsored terrorism against India to wrest Kashmir. It was a demonstration of the use of terrorism by a state as Anil Kumar a tool to achieve foreign and security objectives. Thousands of infiltrators sent by Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir in 1965, which precipitated the Indo- Pak war of 1965 was yet another instance of state sponsored terrorism. The trend continued in the late 1980s when Khalistani militants were assisted by Pakistani forces to launch a full blown insurgency in Punjab. In the late eighties and nineties, jihadi groups based in Pakistan supported Kashmiri insurgency and employed terrorism as a tool in Kashmir to intimidate the Indian state. The terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament (2001), the numerous terrorist attacks (2001-2008) throughout India including the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November 2008(26/11) are attributed to Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and other such groups. These groups are linked to Al Qaeda and have developed global ambitions. Some other groups like Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) from Bangladesh have also participated in various terrorist attacks throughout India.
What is terrorism? The dictionary meaning defines terrorism as an organized system of intimidation. Terrorism is an old instrument of people in power or a group of people trying to gain power by a negative approach. Raymond Aron observed, an action of violence is termed Terrorist when its psychological effects are out of proportion to its physical result. For a non-violent society or for the civilized man violence is an actively associated with criminals, dacoits generally the bad elements of society and the protection of the local population. The Army is trained and kept to protect the borders from internal threats and fight a conventional war. Hence, the police man and soldier are trained to face violence and fight it. The strategy of terrorism is not through the effects of brute force on soldiers or policemen, but through fear it instills among civilians. The fear is a psychological effect of violence. Today, world is a combination of unique political circumstances, with recent technological developments, allowing mass travel, instant communications and readily usable weaponry, has produced a situation in which complex social systems are more vulnerable to terrorism than in any previous period. The physical loss of life and property compared to the psychological effects are much more due to the sensational journalism and instant media attention to a terrorist act. The terrorism means all kinds of violent acts, undertaken by a person, group or a state with an aim to create fear/terror for a religious, political or ideological goal. This is aimed towards government for political purposes (This could be domestic or cross border and for ideology or control of state) and non- political terrorism terrorism that is not aimed at political purposes but which exhibits conscious design to create and maintain a high degree of fear for coercive purposes, but the end is individual or collective gain rather than the achievement of a political objective. Problem of Kashmir More than two decades, Jammu and Kashmir has been inflicted by armed militancy. Large numbers of people have been killed in terrorist incidents and in counter insurgency operations. Later on, militancy of Jammu and Kashmir has made its impact beyond the state and the other part of India had also witnessed number of attacks by that time. 59 P a g e
The Indian Independence Act 1947 recognized the right of 500 odd states, ruled by the king to merge with any dominions (India and Pakistan) or remain free. At the time of partition the state of Jammu and Kashmir was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, the descendent of Gulab Singh. The state of Jammu and Kashmir didn't accede to either India or Pakistan when the British Paramount lapsed. Pakistan was interested in this area from beginning. She started pressurizing the ruler to accede to her. But the state overcame the Pakistan's economic pressures. Failing economic pressure Pakistan conspired to send the armed tribesmen together with her army to invade the state of Jammu and Kashmir in September 1947.The forces of the Maharaja Hari Singh were utterly inadequate to meet the large scale offensive. At the instance of Sheikh Abdullah requested the Indian Government to meet the situation. He agreed to accede to India without any preconditions. The Indian Government sent her army on 27th October 1947 and succeeded in driving out the invaders to Uri along the Jhelum valley road. India appealed to the Security Council on December 30, 1947, against Pakistan for aiding and instigating the raid on Kashmir. Pakistan on the other hand pleaded that the accession of Kashmir to India was done under duress. Hence it was not permanent Pakistan argued that Lord Mountbatten had specifically mentioned in his letter to Maharaja Hari Singh that a plebiscite would be held to know the feelings of the people. The accession of Kashmir to India was voluntary. At no stage force was used to compel the Maharaja. In 1951 people of Kashmir elected a constituent Assembly and declared through it their desire to remain a self- governing state within the Republic of India. This was sufficient evidence to prove that Kashmir was an integral part of India and any interference in the affairs of Kashmir added to interference in internal affairs which India would not tolerate. On January 1, 1948 the Indian Government decided to take the Kashmir dispute to the United Nations. India asserted that Pakistan army was fighting in Kashmir and that they should be expelled. India assured the UN that the accession of Kashmir was only provisional and the Ultimate status of Kashmir was to be determined through a universal plebiscite. However, both India and Pakistan took the position that Kashmiris could choose to join either India or Pakistan. 60 P a g e
The idea of a separate Kashmir state was overruled by both sides. The resolution recognized India's legal presence in Kashmir resulting from the signing of the accession Bill. Pakistan had to withdraw from the territories of the state before the plebiscite could be held. However, armed clashes between India and Pakistan continued and their troops remained in the state. Gradually attitudes hardened both sides. Finally a cease fire was arranged by the United Nations which came into effect on January 1, 1949. By that one- third of the Kashmir state had come under control of Pakistan. In July 1949 agreement was reached on the ceasefire line and United Nations observers were stayed oil both sides of LOC (Line of Control) to monitor it. In 1954, Pakistan joined western military alliance. The inclination of western countries towards Pakistan completely changed the picture. The interference of western power in Kashmir dispute complicated the situation. They criticized India's stand on the plebiscite and started to help Pakistan with arms. The Soviet Union which had been neutral on this question could see through the game of western powers. When Bulganin and Khrushev came to India in 1955, they promised unqualified support to India in Kashmir issue. At that time, the instability of Pakistan's political institutions tempted the armed forces to capture power in that country. The military rulers, in order to divert the attention of the Pakistani people pursued a policy of expansionism. On August 1965 Pakistan mounted a large scale attack on Chamb-Jaurian area violating the international border. The Indian army baffled the attempt of Pakistan to penetrate further in Western Sector. The Security Council succeeded in imposing ceasefire on 23rd September. In 1971 the events moved fast towards the Balkanistan of Pakistan. In the general elections, the National Awami Party led by Sheikh MujiburRahman achieved great victory in east Pakistan. The NAP stood for complete autonomy. This demand aroused in West Pakistan resentment against Mujib. The military rulers of Pakistan arrested the Awami leaders and suppressed the popular movement. About 3 million Bengalis were massacred and one corer was forced to leave their home to India where they, became refugees. The Indian Government protested against this genocide. Government also tried to muster world public opinion in support of the refugees. On 3rd December 1971 Pakistan launched a massive air attack on India. India had to go to war for her security. 61 P a g e
By 17th December Pakistan's military might dwindled and India liberated East Bengal and helped her to install her own Government. Disputes over territory and sharing of the assets of British India and the religious tension between Hindus and Muslim which accompanied the partition of the Indian subcontinent into India and Pakistan kept the relationship between the two states charged with tension. Wars in 1948, 1965, 1971, 1999 and recurring intermittent Skirmishes along their borders have meant that states have directed enormous to brace their military machines. The two states have thus actively followed a policy of hostility and confrontation against each other. THE CAUSES FOR THE VARIOUS INSURGENT/TERRORIST MOVEMENTS INCLUDE: Political causes: This is seen essentially in Assam and Tripura. The political factors that led to insurgency-cum-terrorism included the failure of the government to control large-scale illegal immigration of Muslims from Bangladesh, to fulfill the demand of economic benefits for the sons and daughters of the soil, etc. Economic causes: Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar are prime examples. The economic factors include the absence of land reforms, rural unemployment, exploitation of landless labourers by land owners, etc. These economic grievances and perceptions of gross social injustice have given rise to ideological terrorist groups such as the various Marxist/Maoist groups operating under different names. Ethnic causes: Mainly seen in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur due to feelings of ethnic separateness. Religious causes: Punjab before 1995 and in J&K since 1989. In Punjab, some Sikh elements belonging to different organizations took to terrorism to demand the creation of an independent state called Khalistan for the Sikhs. In J&K, Muslims belonging to different organizations took to terrorism for conflicting objectives. Some, such as the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front, want independence for the state, including all the territory presently part of India, Pakistan and China. Others, such as the Hizbul mujahedeen, want India's J&K state to be merged with Pakistan. While those who want independence project their struggle as a separatist one, those wanting a merger with Pakistan project it as a religious struggle. There have also been sporadic acts of religious terrorism in other parts of India. These are either due to feelings of anger amongst sections of the Muslim youth over the government's perceived failure to safeguard their lives and interests or due to Pakistan's attempts to cause religious polarization. 62 P a g e
Conclusion The maximum number of Terrorism has swallowed global law and order. Terrorist activities have knitted their web across the globe and act as a threat to the society and lives of billions of civilians. Terrorism in India is very deep rooted and complicated to realize. It exists in many forms, starting from jihadi terror from inside or across the border to naxalism. Terrorism has been a social stigma of Indian society which has cut the very fabric of Indian society into pieces. With this ever increasing insecurity amongst civilians, the need of qualified people who can combat these terrorist activities is increasing. Today Indian government is training a number of anti-terrorism officers who primarily hold policy advisory and planning positions at places that are frequently threatened by terrorist invasions. These ATOs are trained vigorously to protect national security and have to take up operational counterterrorism roles. Their training level and experience must be above military field training. Additionally those on senior level need to implement apt measures and must understand how to effectively manage and deal with such sensitive issues. Personnel s in this field are required to have the knowledge needed for strategic security industry. Anti-terrorism studies require indepth understanding of explosives, weapons of mass destruction, extremism and terrorist techniques to prevent their operations. This anti-terrorism education can help our country meet the challenging security problems. India has made important and historically unprecedented improvements in its internal security architecture, including the creation of a coastal command to secure 4,650 miles of shoreline, establishment of 20 counter terrorism schools and standing regional commando units, the creation of national agency to investigate suspected terrorist activity and stronger antiterrorism laws. But the country remains deeply vulnerable. Some important systematic barriers will put a limit to which India can improve its internal. The Kashmir problem has become a grave problem to India as it has given enough strategic edge to Pakistan. But India is responding well and this has upset Pakistani calculations. Pakistan, due to its policy of state- sponsored terrorism, is heading towards the status of a failed state. India has been able to control the terrorism unleashed by Pakistan is not in a position to handle the spread of terrorism. 63 P a g e
Therefore, it is imperative for Pakistan to stop the proxy war in Kashmir. The peace in Kashmir can prevail only when there is restoration of peace and tranquility with in Kashmir; and the second, the end of the Proxy war. The conflict within Kashmir has to be resolved by the people of Kashmir. References Chintamani Maha Patra; Jihad: a threat to India, world focus, Nov-Dec.2006 Dr Ashok kumar singh,rastriya Surksha, Prakash book depot Barrelly 2014 p 634-635 Dr. Rajbirsingh, Cross border Terrorism, Satyam publication New Delhi 2015 p. 163,225 Col. Rajendra Rawat, Challenges of Cross Border Terrorism For India, Vol. No. 1, Jan-June 2011.p159-163 P.V.Ramana, Networking the Northeast Partnership Terror, Faultline Vol 2,2002 Dr Alka Goyal, Dakshin Asia me Aatankvaad, Radha publication New Delhi 2013 pages 21-22. Wardla Grant, Political terrorism, theory tactics and counter measures, Cambridge University press, 1982 p 18-19 www.wikipidia.com www.terror.com www.terrorism-reserch.com India Today Times of India 64 P a g e