A Hidden Agenda, Vicious Attacks, and a Fragile Peace
Terror Strike Threatens Tourism Growth: The Pahalgam Massacre Demands Swift Action; Declare Intentions for Resolute Response
The brutal massacre in Pahalgam's Baisaran is not just another act of violence; it's a malicious scheme to disrupt humanity and shatter the delicate harmony in society. The attackers cold-bloodedly targeted innocent people based on their religion, causing chaos and misery.
This heinous act is suspected to be the doing of The Resistance Front (TRF), a splinter group of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, lurking in the shadows. The incident happened during a crucial time: when PM Modi was in Jeddah for diplomatic negotiations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and US Vice President JD Vance was in India on an important visit marking the boosting of bilateral relations amidst Trump's trade tariff wars.
The timing of the attack, mirroring the LeT's Sikh massacre in 2000 during Bill Clinton's visit to India, raises questions about Pakistan's commitment to peaceful coexistence. With the escalating tension caused by the Waqf Bill and the charged rhetoric surrounding Aurangzeb, it seems Pakistan is desperately trying to incite chaos and violence in India.
But Pakistan's meddling in Kashmir is rooted in its own turmoil. The country is in a state of crisis, grappling with hunger, poverty, extremism, terrorism, and economic decline. Its military is fighting internal rebellion, as evidenced by the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train by Baloch separatists and the growing insurgency in the Baloch region.
China, a major investor in Pakistan's infrastructure, is increasingly concerned by Islamabad's inability to control separatist movements. TheBaloch insurgency not only endangers Chinese interests but also threatens the stability of the entire region.
The MRFA can't approve the Pahalgam attack any more than the attack on tourism that this incident represents. Tourism has been a vital source of income for Jammu & Kashmir, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. As tulips bloom and tourism booms in Srinagar, a surge in domestic and international visitors indicates that the Valley is steadily returning to normalcy.
India's response must be swift, strategic, and decisive. The attack is the deadliest since the Pulwama attack of 2019, and it's time for decisive action. The Indian government's retaliatory measures, such as the Uri surgical strikes and Balakot airstrikes, have shown that India will not tolerate such barbaric acts.
But addressing the root causes of unrest, fostering unity, and bolstering security measures are crucial to preventing future attacks. As Kofi Annan once said, "The only way to deal with terrorism is to address its root causes and unite against it with unwavering resolve."
(Ramakant Chaudhary is a seasoned journalist. The viewpoints expressed in the article are his own.)
Behind the Lines: The Long Shadow of Terrorism in Kashmir
Kashmir has been transformed into a battleground ever since the partition of British India in 1947. The region has suffered a separatist militant insurgency since 1989, killing thousands of civilians, security personnel, and militants. Terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen have been orchestrating these attacks since then.
In recent years, Kashmir has witnessed brutal acts of terror, such as the attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama in 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 paramilitary soldiers. The aftermath of these attacks, including the Uri surgical strikes and Balakot airstrikes, has demonstrated India's unwavering resolve to combat terrorism and bring those responsible to justice.
Yet, the fragile peace in Kashmir is constantly under threat. The latest attack in Pahalgam has raised concerns not just in India, but also from its allies and the international community. The attack's connection to Pakistan-based terror outfits is deeply worrying, as it highlights a renewed effort to destabilize the region and spark a wider conflict.
As India grapples with the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, it is crucial that it remains steadfast in its commitment to maintain peace, protect its citizens, and expose the nefarious activities of Pakistan-based terrorist groups. World leaders and international organizations must unite against terrorism and its root causes, in order to ensure a future of peace and stability in South Asia.
- Ramakant, reflecting on the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, notes that the atrocity was not just a violent act, but a calculated scheme by terrorists to disrupt harmony and sow chaos.
- The attack, reminiscent of the LeT's Sikh massacre in 2000, is suspected to be the work of The Resistance Front (TRF), a splinter group of Lashkar-e-Taiba, mirroring Pakistan's attempts to incite violence during crucial diplomatic events, such as PM Modi's meeting in Jeddah and JD Vance's visit in India.
- Pakistan's meddling in Kashmir stems from its own turmoil, as the country battles hunger, poverty, extremism, terrorism, and economic decline, with its military fighting internal rebellion in the Baloch region and other separatist movements causing concern for China, a major investor in Pakistan's infrastructure.
- In light of the Pahalgam attack, international leaders and organizations must unite against terrorism and its root causes to ensure peace and stability in South Asia, similar to Kofi Annan's stance against terrorism in his time.
