Pulwama attack was one of the deadliest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir where 40 (CRPF) were martyred. Security forces have Standard operating procedures (SOP’s) in areas susceptible to terror strikes. The convoy carrying the Jawan’s were stranded in Jammu since February 4. At Latoomode of Awantipora in Pulwama, an explosive-laden vehicle entered from the by lane overtook a bus and exploded. The Jawan’s were returning from leave or deployment. This was the first time a suicide bomber in an explosive-laden has attacked a CRPF convoy.
After the Pulwama attack, India launched an all-out diplomatic effort to isolate Pakistan on the global front. India withdrew the MFN status on Pakistan, the status that was bestowed upon Pakistan since 1996. India also went ahead with increasing the duties on all imports from Pakistan to 200%.
The question here arises whether our PM has done all he can to protect those he professes to serve. The Pulwama attack set off outcomes that might benefit Modi politically but may be detrimental to India’s interest at large. Modi and National security adviser Ajith Doval has pursued an approach that is based on the view that Kashmir is a purely military problem that can be served through relentless military crackdowns.
In the last five years, there was a 93% increase in the terror strikes in J&K. The number of Jawan’s martyred in the attack increased from 139 in 2014 to 483 in 2019.
The government is moving towards an insurgency approach. But the government just needs to turn towards the developments of Afghanistan to realize how futile militarist approach to the insurgency is. In its 17 years of war, the US has spent $718billion on operations, lost 2,372 military personnel, 45000 Afghan security forces killed, and 20000 servicemen injured.
India thus has a lot to lose on how it deals with the Pakistan front and with its Kashmir policy. Mobs are threatening and attacking Kashmiri students and Professionals in Indian cities. This will tear India’s social fabric further. BJP may win the power after Pulwama but its policies would affect India at large in the coming years.
Comments