Popular Uprising in Kashmir - A Pakistani Pipe Dream
A number of independent states were acquired by both India and Pakistan by statecraft or force after the independence from the British. J&K was the only independent state that had common borders with both India and Pakistan. The Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) was Hari Singh.
Kashmir like most Princely States that were assimilated in India or Pakistan, had a political movement in opposition to autocracy. Sheikh Abdullah formed Muslim Conference in 1932 after a mass agitation in 1931 against the Maharaja. In 1934 Muslim Conference was renamed as National Conference. The co-architect of the National Conference, Prem Nath Bazaz who was a Hindu (Kashmiri Pandit) was also former President of Muslim Conference. Muslim Conference was not just a Muslim struggle as the name suggests. Those days in J&K the religion was not as demarcated as Indian Sub Continent had made it to be.
M.A. Jinnah (founder of Muslim Pakistan) visited Kashmir in 1944 (a year before Indian and Pakistani Independence), unsuccessfully tried to sow the seeds of distrust between the Hindus and Muslims in National Conference. A small group did split and called it Muslim Conference; we will talk about it later in Azad Kashmir description. Abdullah publicly called people to not to be influenced by “outsider” in reference to Jinnha. Both Abdullah and Maharaja had a common dislike for Jinnha. In May 1946, Abdullah launched ‘Quit Kashmir’ campaign against the Maharaja. He was jailed on a charge of sedition. Both Muslim and Hindu population stood neutral. The Maharaja triumphed drove in a spectacular motorcade on the main street of Srinagar on his birthday.
After the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Abdullah recommended Kashmir’s accession to India. Mahatma Gandhi and first ever Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who was a Kashmiri Pandit had intervened in favour of Abdullah. Maharaja was more inclined to join India. Abdullah was granted clemency. According to the Independence Act, the rulers of the princely states were given the right to decide on joining one of the dominions or remaining independent.
National Conference and Maharaja had differences against each other but were unanimous on Kashmir joining India. People stood neutral.
Pakistan’s Role
By September 1947, M.A. Jinnha realized that Maharaja of Kashmir and the National Conference did not want to join Pakistan. The fact was relayed by both Jinnah’s secretary Colonel William Birnie and a Pakistani secret agent who went specifically to find out J&K’s intention.
In mid-September, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaqat Ali Khan, proposed a war with J&K which was rejected outright, as it meant a war with India. Pakistani army was not prepared for it. The Pakistani army was not ready to start a war over Kashmir that could escalate into a war with India. Two other options were considered. Colonel Akbar Khan, proposed fabrication of terrorist activity in J&K, Pakistan would give training and arms to dissident Muslim population who were in minority. These were the same people whom Jinha had broken from National Conference to form Muslim Conference. The Chief Minister of Northwest Frontier Province proposed raids involving Pakistani tribesmen. The whole affair was kept secret from majority of officers of Pakistani army, civil servants and the British. Major General Douglas Gracey Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan army on October 1947 came to know of the plan via his secret services personnel. This was conveyed to Governor General Mountbatten. Complete information on raider’s strength, armaments, and their location was available. It was promptly conveyed to Indian Prime Minister Nehru.
Operation Gulmarg
J&K was invaded by the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) tribes backed by regular Pakistani soldiers under “Operation Gulmarg”. The J&K forces were defeated. National Conference cadres joined in to back up the beleaguered J&K forces. Pakistani’s claim that a portion of J&K forces in Gilgit mutinied, a claim that will be proven wrong at later stage of this article. The Forces of a state called Chitral which had acceded to Pakistan fought alongside as there was a cultural and historical closeness between Chitral and Gilgit. The irony is that, today, Gilgit and Chitral is up against Pakistani rule along with indigenous freedom struggle of Baloachistan against Pakistan.
The J&K capital Srinagar was under threat. Pakistanis cited “Popular uprising” of Muslims against Hindu ruler as the reason to invade J&K. The Pakistani tribesmen, Pakistani Army and the miniscule Muslim Conference were the participants. How could it be called “popular uprising?”
Maharaja Hari Singh requested the Indian Government for Indian troops to stop the invasion. The Pakistani attack only speeded up the J&K accession to India. The Indians insisted on Instrument of Accession wherein Kashmir joins the Indian Union, before rushing in troops for the protection of J&K as an Indian territory. The Maharaja signed the accession. Indian troops, replaced National Conference supporters in the defence of Kashmir, which were jointly fighting along with Maharaja’s army, against the common enemy; Pakistan.
The Mutiny issue
As mentioned before, the area of Poonch is said to be have revolted as per Pakistani propaganda machine. Poonch ethnically had few links with Jammu as they were much closer to Punjab. The Muslims of Poonch served in both the British Indian army and J&K forces. End of the Second World War saw approximately 50,000 retired army personnel came back to Poonch. Another fact was that Poonch never came in terms with Maharaja’s rule; Dogra caste. But the main trigger for the agitation was on economic hardships like sky rocketing food prices, taxes etc. Since it shared border with Pakistan and not India, Pakistan had free hand to convert the agitation into a ‘Muslim vs Hindu’ fight. As a result a lot of innocent people were killed in Punjab and Jammu. Pathans, mislead by Pakistanis, were angered by reports of Muslim killings rampaged Poonch killing Hindus and Sikhs.
Aftermath Operation
By the time the war ended, the Jammu and Kashmir State had been divided into three administrative regions. The first, consisting of Gilgit and Baltistan (the Northern Area), which is the Pakistani Occupied Kashmir. The second region, known as Azad Kashmir, consisted of part of the Kashmir province, most of Poonch and the Mirpur district of Jammu. This was controlled by a far from united group, which included Poonch Muslims, and former Muslim Conference exiles such as Mirwaiz Yousaf Shah and Ghulam Abbas. Azad Kashmir even if it’s been claiming independence is totally dependent on Pakistan militarily and economically. Neither Pakistani Occupied Kashmir, nor Azad Kashmir have any legal basis to exist.
The third part of the state legally merged with India. This area is two thirds of J&K.
The Maharaja appointed his son Karan Singh as regent and left Kashmir for a permanent exile in India.
Sheikh Abdullah was installed as the head of the new government of Kashmir. On November 5, 1947 in a interview to Hindustan Times, Sheikh Abdullah had said “
The grave of Pakistan will be dug in the valley of Kashmir.”
Pakistan had set four themes. First theme was the term “Popular Uprising” later modified to “indigenous uprising against India, then Jihad against India” This theme is used by Pakistanis as an excuse for promoting militancy for the years to come. The second theme was the use of “irregular forces” or as the rest of the world knows them as “Terrorists.” The third theme was “Azad Kashmir Forces” or the Independent Kashmir Forces. The fourth theme was use of regular Pakistani soldiers who manned irregular militia units. The regular Pakistani troops gradually phase out the irregular militia as the war progressed.
The composition of J&K was 52% Muslims and 48 % of Kashmir was Sikh, Buddhist and Hindu. J&K was a Muslim majority by just 4%. There was no huge difference between the two communities.
Meanwhile the irregular tribal forces from Pakistan were more interested in looting and plundering local towns than attacking Srinagar. The invading Pakistani Muslim soldiers indulged in sabotage and arson. The most heinous of their war crimes were raping of Kashmiri women.
Operation Gibraltar (1965)
This is an interesting period. Former Pakistani generals are tripping over each other, elaborating the Pakistani mechanizations in Kashmir. Most of the account given below is based on the “recorded” statements by these Pakistani generals and officials who were directly involved in Operation Gibraltar.
Pakistanis rephrased the “popular uprising” to “spontaneous rise in revolt.” There is ample of evidence on how Pakistanis fabricated the myth.
Shaukat Riza’s book on 1965 War, states, “It appears that the idea of launching a guerrilla war in Indian held Kashmir was in vogue since the 1950s.” Major General Mitha in his book mentions that he heard that such an operation should be launched since 1958. From 1958 to 1961 he had advised that “such operations had no chance of success and each time F.M Ayub Khan had agreed with me and vetoed the suggestions”.
General Gul Hassan in his book mentions that the secret “Kashmir Cell” formed by the Foreign Office on Ayub’s orders consisting of various key officials including the Directorate of Military Operations (DMO). Gul Hassan was informed by the Foreign Secretary Aziz Ahmad that the President had ordered General head Quarters (GHQ) to prepare two plans to encourage and provide all out support to sabotage and guerrilla operations in Indian Kashmir. Gul also states that the decision to mount guerrilla operations with active Pakistan Army involvement was taken after the Rann of Katch skirmish.
Altaf Gauhar the then Information Secretary claimed that the Foreign Secretary Aziz Ahmad was himself convinced that Pakistan could dislodge Indians from Kashmir. Once trained Pakistani soldiers went inside Kashmir the people of the Valley would spontaneously rise in revolt. Gauhar further claimed that the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate and the Foreign Office drew up the plan for Operation Gibraltar.
Lieutenant General Musa of Pakistan has described Operation Gilbraltar in his own. “The then Foreign Minister Mr Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and the Foreign Secretary, Aziz Ahmed spurred on by Major General Akhtar Hussain Malik, who was commander of our troops in Azad Kashmir, pressed the Government to take advantage of the disturbed situation in the valley and direct the Army to send raiders into Indian held Kashmir for conducting guerrilla activities there and to help, on a long term basis, the locals in organising a movement with a view to eventually starting an uprising against the occupying power”. On page 6 of his book,” the sponsors and supporters of the raids had at last succeeded in persuading the President to take the plunge that led to an all-out armed conflict with India.’ To the extent that the concept of sending infiltrators in the Indian held Kashmir, code named Gibraltar’ was the brain-child of the ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the simple truth and nothing but the truth. But General Musa, the C-in-C, assumed full responsibility for the development of the concept, its planning and coordination of the entire operation. On page 35 he writes: After the Government finally decided that deep raids should be launched in Indian-held Kashmir, I directed Commander 12 Division, Major General Akhtar Hussain Malik, to prepare a draft plan for the operation, code-named Gibraltar’ in consultation with GHQ and within the broad concept we had specified.
Broadly the plan envisaged, on a short-term basis, sabotage of military targets, disruptions of communications, etc. and, as a long-term measure, distribution of arms to the people of occupied Kashmir and initiation of a guerrilla movement there with a view to starting an uprising in the valley eventually.
Operation Gibraltar envisaged guerrilla operations inside Indian Occupied Kashmir by a number of guerrilla groups of roughly a battalion strength comprising of Kashmiri Volunteers trained by Pakistan Army, Pakistan Army Special Services Group (SSG) Commando personnel and some regular infantry troops. The total strength of the “Gibraltar Force” was not more than 5,000 to 7,000 men subdivided into five forces i.e (1) “Salahuddin Force” operating in Srinagar Valley, (2) “Ghaznavi Force “ in Mendhar-Rajauri area, (3) “Tariq Force” in Dras-Kargil area, (4) “Babar Force “in Nowshera-Sundarbani area, (5) “Qasim Force” in Bandipura-Sonarwain area, (6) “Khalid Force” in Qazinag-Naugam area, (7) “Nusrat Force” in Tithwal-Tangdhar area, (8) “Sikandar Force” in Gurais area and (9) “Khilji Force” in Kel-Minimarg area. The mission assigned to the various Gibraltar forces was warfare in the enemy’s rear including harassing enemy communications, destruction of bridges, logistic installations, headquarters with a view to create conditions of an “armed insurrection” in Kashmir finally leading to a national uprising against Indian rule leading to liberation of Kashmir or at least parts of it.
The infiltration operation of the Gibraltar Force commenced from first week of August 1965. The Gibraltar Force failed to raise a revolt.
The local population of J&K did not co-operate with the Gibraltar Force. By 18th August the operations of the Gibraltar Force were considerably reduced. There is absolutely no doubt that Gibraltar was an undoubtedly a failure. The Pakistani SSG commandos sent to Kashmir were discovered in Srinagar’s suburbs and elsewhere with the help of local Kashmiri population and were liquidated. The Central Investigative Agency operative, Duane Claridge, who was then in India, in his book “A Man for All Seasons” writes: The Pakistani leadership carefully planned the war. It was meant to lead to a massive uprising in Kashmir engineered by sending in Pakistani infiltrators.. The Americans were well informed about the possibility of Pakistani infiltration into Kashmir and the subsequent offensive months in advance…”
Operation Topac 1970
Operation Gibraltar made Pakistan realize the obvious fact that its forces cannot face India. Pakistanis did not listen to Chinese Mao for prolonging the conflict and Chinese support, Pakistan accepted the cease fire. Indian Forces were deep into Pakistani occupied Kashmir and in plains they were knocking at the gates of Pakistani city of Lahore.
Pakistan now launched a proxy war against India and called it “Operation Topac”. The operation was scripted by former military dictator of Pakistan, Gen. Zia-ul-Haq and fine tuned by Chinese Chou-En-Lai. Operation Topac was different from previous attempts as this time Pakistan choose Kashmiri youth indoctorined by the Mullah’s from Madrassas in Pakistan. Another dimension was introduction of Afghan terrorist in J&K. Retired members of Pakistani SSG hailing from Pakistani occupied Kashmir were to be employed too. The “spontaneous rise in revolt” was now termed “indigenous uprising”. The “Jihad” was introduced to bring in the Afghan fighters as well as exploiting the Islamist in J&K.
There was another dimension to Operation Topac. Selig S Harrison, director of the Asia Program at the Center for International Policy, refers to ‘Greater Muslim Kashmir’plan hatched in 1970, the plan of was drawn jointly by the CIA, ISI and the Saudi intelligence (Istekhbarat). It envisaged not only secession of Kashmir from India but also grand design’s to destabilize India through ethnic and communal separatist movements carried on through terror and subversion. American diplomats like Rockefeller, William Saxebe and Charlton Heston visited Kashmir and knit tighter various Kashmiri Muslim elite groups of professionals like university teachers, lawyers, engineers, doctors particularly those who had connections in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Libya. They even brought together Muslim bureaucrats in J&K administration and local political leadership.Ladakh was divided into two districts on communal basis. Muslim dominated colonies were created around the main city of Jammu. The Hindus have been hounded out of Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandits were systematically butchered. The elections were rigged in 1986-87.
The US, UK and Canada gave sanctuary to the separatist and provided them moral, diplomatic and material support through various channels. Pakistan was after all a frontline state against the communist Russia. Asia Watch and Amnesty are standard tools of anti-India lobbies. Endless debates are held in European countries and the U.S. on Kashmir issue.
A book “Hizbe Islam” published by Jamat-e-Islami quotes Pakistan Dictator, Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, “In the first phase this infiltration will assist Kashmiri brothers. In order to seize state administration they will organise political disruption. Muslim United Front (MUF) is engaged in a conspiracy under different constitutional forms so that the administration is established and the entire Government machinery is paralysed… In the beginning we have to create conditions for launching unarmed and armed campaigns against the State administration…we want infiltration of our men in the administration so that work in the police, banks, transport, communications and in other departments is paralysed… the scheme needs to be implemented in such a way as the telecommunications links not only between Jammu and Kashmir but also between Kashmir and Ladakh are snapped. All these schemes have to be implemented secretly. There is need for a special attention towards the roads leading to Kargil, Zojilla and Khardungla…” The Dictator General was referring to “Operation Topac.””Islam is our goal. Quran is our constitution. Jehad is our path. War till victory, God is great. The war of Hizb is pronounced: Allah-u-Akbar. The call of Hizb is beware of India.” A monthly magazine called “Koshur Samachar”, in March 1990 issue, published Dictator Zia-ul-Haq’s speech delivered at a highly secret meeting in Islamabad on April 18, 1988, which outlined Pakistan’s interference in Kashmir. “There should be no mistake; our aim is totally clear and strong Liberation of Kashmir valley. We cannot now allow our Kashmiri brethren to remain with India for a long time. In the past we banked on unarmed military campaigns, that is why we failed. Therefore, now, as I have already said it, we shall continue our military action, as per the requirement, till the overthrow of the Government. Though the people of the valley are mentally and physically with us, but they are very simple minded people and, therefore, they cannot fight like Punjabis and Afghanis against the foreign rule. Still Kashmiris have same qualities which can be exploited. First, their cleverness and caliber.
Secondly, they can rise under pressure and thirdly, their political conspiracy. If we provide them the facilities for using these qualities, they can do our work. In every warfare it is not necessary to use brute force, especially in the conditions that exist in Kashmir, as I have already made it clear… In the first phase, if it was necessary, we can help our Kashmiri brethren to grab power through political subversion and intrigue. I want to make it clear that without the approval of Delhi, no Government can run in Kashmir. It will not be right to believe that the Muslim United Front or any other similar organisation can seize power through democratic or any other means. It should be kept in view that power will remain in the hands of those who have the patronage of Delhi. Therefore, we shall have to ensure that we should select some ‘favourite’ ruling politicians who will support our political subversion.” “A revolt on a mild scale against the administration so that it remains in the grip but is not paralysed because we do not want Delhi’s central rule there. We appoint selected people on important posts. Sabotage and subversion will be carried out in the police force, financial institutions, telecommunications and other essential organisations. We shall spread Anti-India feelings among the students and farmers so that they lend their support to riots and anti-Government demonstrations. In order to tackle the paramilitary forces, subversive elements be organised and given training In order to divert the attention from the Valley, instability and terror be spread in Jammu with the assistance of Sikh militants and even incite Hindus against the Government at critical juncture. Those areas in the valley where the Indian Army has not been deployed should be taken under the control.
The southern area in the Kashmir Valley should become such a region.” “In order to force the Indian Army to set up reserve pickets out of the main Valley of Kashmir, mount pressure on them in Siachin, Kargil and Rajouri sectors. Attack and damage the base depots and headquarters of the Army in Srinagar, Pattan, Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipore and Chowkibal under a special action plan and at fixed time. Till then Afghan Mujahideen, staying in Azad Kashmir will infiltrate through selected routes in order to extend our area of influence. There is need for formulating a comprehensive and deep policy. We have many lessons from the 1965 Operation Gibralter. In the end, a special force under the leadership of retired Officers from Azad Kashmir will be set up in collaboration with the Afghans which will destroy airfields, Radio station, block Banihal tunnel and damage Kargil-Leh national highway. Pressure will be mounted internally in the adjacent areas in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir during certain phases of these attacks.” “For the liberation of Kashmir and establishment of Islamic state, under the third phase, with the blessings of God, arrangements have been made for the supply of huge quantities of modern arms and ammunition to the Afghan Mujahideens under the US consignment. This will help our Kashmiri brethren in achieving their goal. We are establishing a type of ‘free Kashmir’ in some lonely areas of Indian occupied Kashmir. Next step will not be as difficult as it appears today. In these circumstances, there is need for an atmosphere of uncertainty in the State. In the end I warn you again that this belief is harmful that we can defeat India in direct attack. Therefore, we have to launch light military campaign so that the Indians do not suspect us and do not attack at the fixed time and at the selected spot. This should not happen at least till the completion of the first and second phases of the operation. Since there may be need for restructuring our schemes and work-plan in certain conditions, we shall have to review the direction of the operation after every phase.”
This was the most turbulent period in the history of Kashmir. Pakistan actually succeeded in creating a local unrest by otherwise indifferent people of Kashmir. The Islamist in J&K was taken away by the proclamation of Jihad. Those young Kashmiri Muslim youths who would not comply were kidnapped and shipped to Pakistan for terrorist training. They were blackmailed into terror by Pakistanis and their agents by threatening to kill the youth’s family members. The unemployed youth went in for money. Pakistani intelligence service ISI was the key instrument. Misinformation and lies were spread on the character of Indian Army.
Kashmir chooses democracy
1991 witnessed the rise of the Father of Modern India, Shri. PV Narasimha Rao. Under his premiership, Operation Topac suffered first setback when free and fair elections were conducted in the militancy wrecked state of Punjab defying the militants. In one stroke India had shown to the world that the propaganda that people of Punjab wanted to separate from India was baseless. The people had suffered in the hands of terrorist backed by Pakistan, US, UK, Canada and some other minor players. UK and Canada still harbour such anti-democratic elements. Similar questions started arising on the state of J&K. The government of India declared elections in the state of J&K in 1996. The terrorist issued threats on both candidates and voters warning them not to participate. On September 7, 1996, the US news network CNN reported “The turnout was at least 50 percent, despite a boycott called by Pakistani-backed separatist rebels”. CNN added “Most Kashmiris say they are voting because they are tired of the rebellion that has caused so much death and destruction. They say they long for peace and development”. International observers were invited for the polls. They termed the elections as free and fair.
Kargil War
The Kargil War in 1999 did not awaken the kashmir to rise against India. Kargil is located in Kashmir. Pakistanis had infiltrated foreign and Pakistani militants and elements of Pakistani Army into Kargil. The Pakistan ultimately suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Indian Army. People of J&K, like the rest of the Indian country men cheered for Indian Army. How could have Indian Army conducted the operation if the local population did not co-operate. After all it was the Kashmiri shepherd who first reported the presence of terrorist to Indian Army.
September 9/11, 2001
While the US, Europe mocked the India for not being able to control terrorist, these terrorist stuck US itself. Instead at mocking at US, India which underwent the pains of such barbaric acts, offered help. UK and Europe witnessed such attacks too. World woke up to the Pakistani terrorist factory. The very Frankenstein’s US, UK and Canada created under Operation Topac started hitting them back. China took the opportunity to suppress freedom struggle in its Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Occupied Tibet was spared, who in the world will believe them if they say the peaceful Tibetian monks are terrorist? India offered all help to US. Unlike US which through CIA and diplomatic channels created terrorism in India under operation Topac, India responded with humanity. India along with Russia could have armed Afghan’s against US and serve it a bloody noose. It’s a contrast what US and Pakistan did in past to USSR and Kashmir. Indians had borne the brunt of terrorism and it was time India make US understand its folly. As US got later engaged in counter terror operations in Iraq, US tried to bring in the Indian Army to Iraq for the same. Failure to get in the Indian Army, US sent its forces to the Indian Counter Insurgency warfare school in India.
MORI Polls 2002
MORI (now IPOS-MORI) is one of the respected research companies in UK. MORI surveyed Jammu and Kashmir. The main highlight was on the issue of citizenship. Overall, 61% said they felt they would be better off politically and economically as an Indian citizen and only 6% as a Pakistani citizen, but 33% said they did not know. Mind you, these respondents were the Muslims as the Kashmiri Hindus had been driven away to refugee camps.
There is also widespread consensus on the types of proposals which will help to bring about peace in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 85% of the population, including at least 70% in each region, think the following will help to bring about peace:
=Economic development of the region to provide more job opportunities and reduction of poverty - 93%
=The holding of free and fair elections to elect the people’s representatives - 86%
=Direct consultation between the Indian government and the people of Kashmir - 87%
=An end to militant violence in the region - 86%
=Stopping the infiltration of militants across the Line of Control - 88%
There is also a widespread view, held by 80%, that allowing displaced Kashmiri Pandits to return to their homes in safety will help to bring about peace.
Views are mixed on the likely impact of ‘People in Jammu and Kashmir having the freedom to travel in both directions across the Line of Control’. Those in and around Srinagar and Leh generally feel this would help to bring peace while those in Jammu take the opposite view.
An overwhelming 92% oppose the state of Kashmir being divided on the basis of religion or ethnicity. There is also overwhelming support - 91% - for a forum in which Kashmiris from both sides of the Line of Control can discuss common interests.
A clear majority - 70% - also support the borders between Pakistani-controlled Kashmir and Indian Kashmir being opened for much more trade and cultural exchange. However, while the views in Srinagar and Leh were very decisive - over 90% support - those in Jammu were much more balanced - 47% support, 53% oppose.
There are clearly different perceptions of the behaviour of the Indian security forces. Nobody interviewed in Leh or Jammu believes that human rights violations by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir are widespread, whereas in Srinagar 64% of the population think they are widespread.
The US human rights groups and Pakistani propaganda against Indian Army was exposed by the people. On the contrary people perceptions on human rights violations by militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir. 96% of those in Jammu believe such violations are widespread whereas only 2% of those in Srinagar believe they are widespread (although 33% believe they are ‘occasional’).
For more information please visit MORI Kashmir Survey Page
India rehabilitating surrendered militants
In 2004, the democratically elected Kasmir Government started a rehabilitation policy under which an immediate grant of Rs.1.50 lakh in fixed deposit was to be given to a surrendered militant. Apart from this a monthly stipend of Rs.2000/- was given to the surrendered militants for 3 years. Incentives are also given as per the weapon laid down by the militants. This has encouraged a lot of youths forced into militancy to surrender. Current estimates are as many as 400 youths have surrendered.
Terrorism Continues
Pakistan understands that Kasmiris will never rise. The so called independence movement is purely artificial. Under US pressure, Pakistan has made tactical adjustments without any change of heart. Former democratically elected Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto’s revised edition of her autobiography, Daughter of the East, explains this. Salig Harrison in an a Panel Discussion on Media Coverage of Terrorism in India and Pakistan in 2002 “said that the good news was that the American press had finally discovered the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence - the Pakistani spy agency), particularly, the activities of the ISI in the last stages of Soviet occupation of Afghan areas, providing active support in bringing jehadis from all over the world and help them to train as terrorists”. He pointed out that American media did not really follow up even when the Indian airliner was hijacked a few years ago, and all the evidence clearly pointed to the involvement of groups supported by ISI. Harrison thought that American angle to the ISI activities was brought forth when the case of Daniel Pearl came up. Even so, the nature of activities which ISI is carrying out in Kashmir has not been the focus of the American media.
US still have double standards on terrorism in Kashmir. It’s a sharp contrast to the Indian help on defeating terrorism in Afghanistan and worldwide.
Meanwhile the human rights organisations fail to condemn the mindless killings of innocent people by the Pakistani sponsored militants in Kashmir.
Kashmir Plebiscite
In 2006, in her report titled ‘Kashmir, Present Situation and Future Prospects’, British Member of European Parliament (EP) Baroness Emma Nicholson has observed that the continuing demand for a plebiscite on the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is not reflective of the current needs of local people. Nicholson observes in her report that the plebiscite demand is, in fact, damaging to Kashmiris’ interests.
Any plebiscite will be meaningless without a change in policy from Islamabad, which maintains that all of Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan’s territory and without Pakistani troop withdrawals and the return of Punjabi and Pathan settlers from Gilgit and Baltistan as well as Chinese withdrawal from Aksai Chin and the Shaksgam valley.The Republic of India is the world’s largest secular democracy and has evolved democratic structures at all levels, whereas the Islamic Republic of Pakistan still lacks full implementation of democracy in AJK (PoK) and has yet to start the process of democracy in Gilgit and Baltistan.There have been a large scale population changes in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (PCK) with people from outside settling in unlike the Indian side where such settlements are prohibited. It mentions that Indian part of J&K has a separate constitution which disallows outsiders from holding any property in the territory.
The Constitution of AJK (Azad Jammu and Kashmir or Pakistan-controlled Kashmir) of 1974 would have to be altered if the people there are to be invited for plebiscite. The situation since 1947 has changed. The UN Resolution on J-K stipulated the condition that there should be complete withdrawal of troops from Pakistan from the occupied area and those who settled from outside Kashmir should also withdraw.
Situation in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
EU MP Baroness Emma Nicholson report on Pakistan Occupied Kasmir urges Pakistan to revisit its concepts of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of religious practice in PoK and Gilgit and Baltistan, and notes with concern allegations by human rights associations such as Amnesty International of torture and detention without due process.
While expressing concern regarding freedom of expression in PoK, the report sought tough action to tackle corruption among government officials, and called on Pakistan to ensure that the people of PoK could exercise their fundamental civil and political rights in an environment free from coercion and fear.
The report urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to exercise its full mandate with regard to any suspected or documented violations and to lend it even greater credibility.
In 2006, a U.S.-based human rights group on Thursday accused Pakistani security forces of using torture and other rights abuses in Pakistan’s part of Kashmir.
“Most incidents of politically motivated torture recorded by Human Rights Watch involved the ISI, or the police acting on the military’s behalf,” Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report, referring to the military’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Corollary
There is no such thing as Kashmiri people uprising against Indian government. It’s been demonstrated by the accounts of Pakistani’s perpetuators themselves, UK research company and the EU parliament. Pakistan cannot handle its own economy. It lives off from donations from other countries. Sub human living conditions in Pakistani Occupied Kashmir and the so called “Azad Kasmir” has been exposed by EU parliament. The Human Rights violations by Pakistani forces and Pakistani backed terrorist have wrecked the dreams of the Kashmiri people.
An independent Kashmir will be either swallowed by Pakistani Jihadi machine or be dependent on Pakistanis who cannot handle their own economy. Worst case scenario, it might end up as a Communist Chinese bastion or Chinese state. What would stop Chinese from not interfering when it is no more protectorate of India? Who stopped them in Tibet?
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