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The News International, Friday, May 17,
2002
Indian assertions defy logic
By Tariq Butt
ISLAMABAD: Whenever a high-profile visitor particularly
American comes to the region, an alarming violent incident takes
place in the occupied Kashmir or India. It defies logic and
reason that Pakistan would be involved in any of such violent act
that is to Islamabad's worst disadvantage and to New Delhi's best
advantage.
The prime objective of senior US diplomat Christina Rocca's air
dash to India and Pakistan was to de-escalate the tension between
the two South Asian nuclear rivals. Just hours before her arrival
in India, 34 persons were killed in Kaluchak near Jammu and
without any impartial inquiry or investigation, Pakistan is
accused of it.
Only a stupid person would say that those on a suicide mission
would have their identification papers with them. Indian claims
are beyond comprehension. This time again, India has indulged in
its favourite pastime of levelling wild accusations against
Pakistan. Since word go, Pakistan has demanded a proper inquiry
into the incident. India hasn't paid any attention to this plea.
Shortly after the suicide bombing in Karachi that also killed 11
French engineers and technicians, Pakistan invited French
investigators and other countries having sophistication in
investigating such terrorist incidents to help trace the
perpetrators. But India prefers not to follow such a practice for
obvious reasons. "We had nothing to hide and wanted a
thorough investigation by independent people, so we invited
foreign experts," Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi, Director
General, Inter Services Public Relations, told The News on
Thursday. Why is India shy of an independent inquiry or
investigation if it has nothing to hide? he asked.
The Indian pattern over the past few years has been the same
during the visits of region by President Bill Clinton, the
Japanese prime minister, US Secretary of State Colin Powell,
Central Investigation Agency Director Tenet and now Rocca, who
all were on important missions. A number of innocent persons have
fallen victim to terrorist incidents.
When these foreign leaders came to India, nearly three dozen
Sikhs were massacred in Chattipura Singh in the occupied Kashmir;
Hingu Yatra pilgrims were killed in the held Kashmir; attack on
the occupied Kashmir Assembly in Srinagar took place, there was
attack outside the Indian parliament building and now the
Kaluchak incident.
These world leaders had come to the region to stress, among other
points, reduction in Pakistan-India tension. There is near
consensus in Pakistan that all these incidents were stage-managed
by India to accentuate its accusations of Pakistan's involvement
in terrorism. Many countries of the world are seeing through the
Indian game and that is why they are not buying the Indian
argument about Pakistan's involvement.
The threatening language being used by Indian leaders is nothing
new. They have to when there is comprehensive frustration in
India that the concentration of troops has failed to browbeat
Pakistan. Indian leaders are now thinking to do something else to
get rid of their frustration. Pakistan has condemned the civilian
deaths and called for an impartial inquiry to unmask the motives
of its perpetrators, Qureshi said.
If the target of the fighters was the army camp, why would they
attack the bus. What happened was the Indian troops killed people
while retaliating against the fighters' attack is the view
prevailing among Pakistani circles.
The News International, Sunday, May 19,
2002
Senseless violence and
accusations
Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema
The writer works for Islamabad Policy Research Institute
The killing of innocent civilians anywhere is an act that
deserves prompt and strong condemnation. The recent spate of
killings of innocent civilians in Pakistan as well as in Jammu is
indeed deplorable and condemnable. Admittedly, the perpetrators
of such acts tend to provide some form of justifications but such
explanations rarely make any impact. Those involved in a freedom
struggle or insurgency or an actual war may have a fairly
convincing case for initiating or perpetuating violence, but what
needs to be highlighted is that even such eventualities do not
permit violence against innocent civilians.
The recent killing of civilians in Jammu by three gunmen wearing
Indian army uniforms attracted quick and strong condemnation in
Pakistan. As usual, the Indians blamed Pakistan without any
proof. While this was not unusual, no sane individual in Pakistan
could condone such senseless acts of violence. Unlike most Indian
governments, it is somewhat admirable that Pakistani governments
are often prompt in denouncing violence.
A larger question that needs some probing, however, is the
identity of the Jammu violence perpetrators, their operative
needs and compulsions pushing them to indulge in such a
reprehensible act. Who were the attackers? Even before the
injured were moved to a hospital, an Indian army official accused
a Pakistan-based group called Jaish-i-Mohammad, which was banned
in January 2002 with all its offices in Pakistan sealed.
According to NAFA news agency in Srinagar, a little known group
called al-Mansoorian claimed responsibility.
It is somewhat understandable if these wild accusations were made
by sensational barrens of media or struggling politicians, but if
these ludicrous statements are the product of the official
policy, then a careful analysis of compulsions under which they
are issued is needed. Unlike Vajpayee's reaction, the outburst by
George Fernandes appears to be unfounded and rubbish. While
Vajpayee asserted that such acts requires retaliation, he
refrained from pointing fingers at anyone. However, Fernandes
accused Pakistan of being involved without offering any proof.
According to the Times of India, he even went to the extent of
saying, "General Musharraf appeared to be training young
people to indulge in such acts across the border."
Among the possible candidates who could have indulged in such a
despicable act include the Indian agencies and their sponsored
groups, the Jammu and Kashmir state authorities, militant groups
operating in India and Kashmir and the militants along with their
splinter groups based abroad including in Pakistan. Indian
agencies are not just known to be actively involved in such
activities but they also sponsor renegade groups to undertake
nefarious missions in the target areas. The involvement of Indian
agencies and state authorities in such activities has been proven
so many times in the past that one does not need to recount them
here. However, it might not be out of line to mention the
Chittisinghpura, Allochabagh incident and high jacking drama of
an inland flight in India.
What could be the objectives involved in such pursuits? One
interpretation of the recent Jammu violence is that it was meant
to damage the peace mission of Cristina Rocca. In a similar
fashion, President Clinton's visit was preceded by the
Chittisinghpura massacre. Just before Rocca's departure for South
Asia, it was announced that Americans would make concerted
efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan. Since the
Indian government is not ready for any kind of peace overtures,
it will not be far fetched to assume that the Indian intelligence
agencies are making concerted efforts to sabotage such attempts
by one tactic or the other.
The second objective could be what can be referred to as
"focus shifting". During the last two months, the
anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat and the involvement of state
authorities in perpetrating atrocities against the Muslims have
been the focus of the world attention. The BJP government's
handling of the situation, Gujarat state administration's
involvement and brutalities of militant Hindu groups have
attracted flak not only internationally but also many Indians
have asked probing questions. Apart from the main opposition
party Congress' positive role in highlighting the criminal
involvement of authorities and militant Hindu groups, many other
groups and rational individuals have been constantly raising
their voice against the ongoing developments in Gujarat. However,
with vociferous noises, though ludicrous in contents, the BJP has
now been able to shift the focus from Gujarat's anti-Muslim riots
to Jammu's violence.
The third objective could be to create a situation with the
purpose of accusing Pakistan of not doing enough. To ride a tiger
may be easy but to get off it may not be. A critical review of
some recent developments in India clearly reflects a total
failure of the BJP administration. Its inability to resolve Ram
Mandir-Babri Mosque controversy, electoral losses in almost nine
states, initial reluctance to control Gujarat riots and later
when the situation got out of control it appeared helpless to
control Hindu zealots, no marked improvement in economy,
extremely dismal performance in containing Kashmiri freedom
fighters and finally raising tensions to unprecedented levels in
order to pressurise Pakistan to agree to Indian demands, all
point to a less rosy future. The Indians apparently believe that
a situation is required that should result in greater gains for
India in some form, which, in turn, would enable smooth
dismounting of the tiger.
A linked candidate for such acts is the state authorities of
Jammu and Kashmir. Since the state elections are coming closer,
current rulers of held Kashmir may be trying to create a
situation -- as they have done in the past -- that could prove to
be useful for electoral purposes. Besides, some allies in the
NDA, like a Kashmir-based party, seemed to be acting more
enthusiastically than the BJP regime in promoting war hysteria.
The minister of state for foreign affairs has frequently
suggested to BJP stalwarts hot pursuits and strikes at the
alleged training camps in Azad Kashmir. Oblivious of ensuing
repercussions, the state authorities are under an illusion that
they would be able to recapture sufficient seats to retain power.
Since the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has refused to
contest the next elections, the incumbent state authorities feel
that they can capitalise on the situation. What they need to take
into account is that any strike on Azad Kashmir would certainly
invite strong reactions both by the government and the people of
Pakistan.
The third group that can be viewed as one of the candidates for
indulging in such brutal acts consists of either militant groups
based in occupied Kashmir or in India. Since the intensification
of Kashmiri freedom struggle, many groups have emerged on the
scene. These freedom fighters only target India military and
avoid targeting innocent civilians.
The fourth possible candidate could be the militant groups based
in Pakistan. Despite the reformulation of Pakistan's Afghan
policy and the banning of terrorist organisations in January
2002, there may still be pockets of angered and annoyed
individuals and groups. Many banned groups may have gone
underground. The objective of such groups may be to send signals
to the government that they are still able to effectively
function despite strong official action against them, damage
government's improved image and sabotage peace moves especially
with India.
A realistic assessment, however, points finger to the Indian
agencies along with the state authorities and sponsored groups.
Although al-Mansoorian was allegedly involved in the Jammu
killing, one does not know anything about this group. One way out
is to conduct an impartial and independent inquiry. Would the
Indians allow such an inquiry? Following the Allochabagh incident
in which many Sikhs were killed, the inquiry conducted by Gen
Mukerjee Committee clearly stated that the Indian army was
responsible for such reprehensible acts. Another way out is to
agree to international observers who can monitor the LoC but this
route could also reveal the dubious Indian designs.