Terrorists and Infiltration

Late last night, the Indian army foiled yet another infiltration bid by terrorists, who tried to intrude under the cover of firing from the Pakistan side along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the fourth such incident in less than a week.

If such incidents keep getting reported with a daily monotony, common people tend to dismiss it as routine and fail to realize that there is more to it than meets the eye.

One factor to be noted is that, such incidents are becoming increasingly common after the change of guard in Pakistan last month, with Asif Zardari becoming President and head of state. This illustrates that the feeble and cosmetic democracy in Pakistan will only be part of more anti-India activities even as platitudes are voiced and there are bear-hugs during photo-ops in months to come.

Two, such incidents are in violation of the November 2003 ceasefire agreement. Three, Pakistan has got emboldened in its subversive tactics after the recent incidents revolving around Amarnath pilgrimage.

Four, Pakistan, as stubborn as ever, which is facing a civil war situation in the North West Frontier Province, is still using home grown terrorists to foment trouble in India again. Five, Pakistan wants to push in as many terrorists as possible into India, before the onset of the harsh Kashmir winter. Six, for Pakistan, such infiltration becomes all the more important, once in six years, when elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir and 2008-09 winter is no exception.

It is the same old tactic. Terrorists try to sneak into India, under the cover of firing from Pakistan Rangers . According to the police, the latest incident occurred in Sabra Gali area of Mendhar sector. After Indian army troops challenged them and opened fire, terrorists retreated and escaped into Pakistan. The Border Security Force along the international border foiled three infiltration bids supported by Pakistani troops on September 27, October 1 and October 2 in Jammu sector.

For the record, India has registered its protests with Pakistan over these ceasefire violations but to no avail. For Pakistan, it is a do-or-die situation, they desperately want elections in Jammu and Kashmir to be called-off in face of domestic violence and protests. Herein lies the importance of infiltration.

The BSF may have foiled these attempts but many such incidents go unreported. For every such skirmish which is to our knowledge, there may be numerous others where terrorists could have succeeded in crossing the border. The number of such successes is anybody's guess but the impact of such infiltration will begin to be felt on the streets of Kashmir from next month, if strong measures aren't taken soon to stop the menace. The Indian government has its task cut out.