Decoding Reasi Terror Attack

The Rising Kashmir has continuously analysed in its editorials right from the start of year 2024 that Pakistan and its mercenaries have shifted the theatre of war to the Pir Panjal. It is clear from the continuous gruesome terror attacks that have engulfed the Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu. The magnitude of these attacks has been vast. The modus operandi used by the Pakistani trained terrorists has been akin to the tactics used by the professionally trained armed forces. Besides there is no doubt that these terrorists are battle hardened. Media has comprehensively covered the terrorist onslaught on our security forces in Rajouri and tried to decode it to internalise the psyche behind it. Terrorists have been ambushing the army for months in the Rajouri encounters that led to the loss of innocent lives. The Rising Kashmir had expressed apprehensions about these attacks as the date for the Lok Sabha Elections was being finalised by the start of this year. And the Supreme Court has also directed the centre to ensure the Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir to  initiate the democratic process. These apprehensions have unfortunately come true. As the situation that has been unfolding on the ground is worrisome for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorist attack at Teryath in Rajouri 9th June killing innocent people from various places in India that included the Yatris (pilgrims) who had gone to Shiv Khori must force the civil society and the strategic experts to raise many questions regarding the preparedness of the security grid in Jammu and Kashmir when tourism is depicted as the barometer of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. This gruesome attack on the innocent people who had visited Jammu and Kashmir to carry refreshing  expressions home have been forced to go back in coffins. Will this help tourism in Jammu and Kashmir? The answer is obviously a big “NO”. One thing has to be understood that Pakistani sponsored terrorists are infested in the Pir Panjal and are managing to assert their control on the national highways that connect Jammu and Kashmir districts. It is a well calculated strategy to inject fear among the passengers so that they are not able to travel freely. Reasi terror attack is meant to achieve many objectives for the terror mercenaries. It includes that people are kept hostage to the whims and fancies of the terror modules as was the case in early 1990’s when Doda and Bhaderwah bound buses were subjected to terror attacks with selective killings. One thing has to be noted that this incident took place on the day when the swearing ceremony of the new cabinet was to take place within an hour. The message was clear that the terror modules are well in command and wanted to send the signal that they can act with impunity. And that too on a day when the entire world had the gaze on India due the formation of the new government. The terror modules are intact. They have shifted their operations and it has to be clear that they are operative in Jammu region and striking with impunity. Reasi terror attack must put the security grid on high alert as the Amarnath Yatra preparations have started. Terrorists won’t miss a gap in the security apparatus. The Reasi attack has revealed the local involvement and this must alarm the security agencies. The pattern of operations has been the same if the previous terror attacks in Rajouri and Poonch are analysed. These attacks had local involvement. Now that the preparations for the Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir are on the cards. There is a need to review the security preparedness. Chances cannot be taken as it involves the high risk. Home Minister, Amit Shah has been reviewing the security preparedness continuously in his previous tenures. Now that he has taken the reins of the Ministry once again. He needs to consult the top brass of the army, para military forces , J&K Police and the security agencies to formulate a comprehensive strategy to neutralise the terror in Jammu region. This time there is a need to consult the local strategic experts from Jammu and Kashmir who are well versed about the psychology and ideological motivations of the terror groups operating in the Union Territory. One thing is clear that terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be defeated till the counsel of the experts and strategic thinkers from Jammu and Kashmir is used to frame a new policy against terrorism. These incidents are not isolated ones. But an integral part of the move to destabilise the entire Jammu and Kashmir. We have witnessed the killings of the Panches and other representatives at the grass root level. This includes the targeted killings of the minorities in Kashmir. These attacks have the tendency to spill over and use minorities like Kashmiri Pandits as soft targets to infuse fear. It has happened in the past. This has to be stopped at all costs so that peace prevails. People of Jammu and Kashmir can’t afford massacres like Wandhama and Nadimarg that have ruptured the social fabric. All efforts must be made at various levels to nip such massacres in the bud. Be it in Jammu or Kashmir. We cannot lower the guard. The enemies of peace in Jammu and Kashmir must be made to pay a heavy price. So that harmony and development is not affected.