The decision to implement a ceasefire in the Kashmir valley during the Ramzan season turned out to be a disastrous one for India and its citizens. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti could be single handedly blamed for asking for a ceasefire citing the demand for peace in the holy month, but the Central government needs to share the blame for giving in to her demands.
The unjust demands by the J&K government followed by its acceptance from the centre led to major unrest in the valley. Far from bringing in peace and harmony in the valley, the decision led to widespread unrest followed by rioting and death of many security force personnel and journalists like Shujaat Bukhari. The hands of the security forces were tied down by the unilateral ceasefire and hence they could not actively defend themselves or the law abiding citizens from the violence in the valley. Upwards of 45 incidents of stone pelting, rioting and attacks on security personnels took place in the valley in this short period. Indian Army also lost one of its Kashmiri soldiers Aurangzeb who was serving in the 44 Rashtriya Rifles.
The widespread indiscriminate killings and the unrest in the valley seems to have cleared the minds of the Central government which has thankfully decided to not extend the ceasefire beyond Eid. The revocation of the ceasefire has thankfully not been challenged by Mehbooba Mufti or her colleagues from the valley. The Hurriyat conference leaders have nothing left to demand now that the security forces of India showed great restraint while the separatists showed their true colours. Killing soldiers, civilians and even people from the media indiscriminately, the terrorists spared no one. It showed that they cannot be trusted to maintain peace in the valley, which is also reaffirmed that ordinary Kashmiris can remain safe only when the Armed forces operate in the valley.
This point was made clear by the father of Aurangzeb, the slain Indian Army soldier. In a report on Zee news, the man was quoted saying, “What is stopping the Government of India from taking decisive action against those responsible for killing my son? If the government does not take any action within 72 hours, I will myself avenge Aurangzeb’s killing,” These were not just empty words, as he himself had served in the Indian Army. Aurangzeb’s brother is also in the Indian Army and he too echoed the sentiments of his father. Aurangzeb’s father went on to add, “I demand that the separatists and others doing politics be kicked out of Kashmir. The army and other security agencies should launch an all-out offensive against the terror groups active in the Kashmir Valley.”
These words and the words of crores of Indians finally seem to have hit home as Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Twitter that the operations of the Armed Forces are once again set to resume post Eid.
The Security Forces are being directed to take all necessary actions as earlier to prevent terrorists from launching attacks and indulging in violence and killings.
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2018
He also congratulated the Armed Forces for showing restraint which is commendable but the question today is will India and its security forces let the killers of Aurangzeb go free, absolutely not.
It was expected that everyone will cooperate in ensuring the success of this initiative. While the Security Forces have displayed exemplary restraint during this period, the terrorists have continued with their attacks, on civilians and SFs, resulting in deaths and injuries.
— Rajnath Singh (मोदी का परिवार) (@rajnathsingh) June 17, 2018
Cordon and Search Operations (CASO) and Search and Destroy Operations (SADO) should resume immediately in the valley and Aurangzeb’s death along with the others who lost their lives should be avenged quickly. The terrorists in the valley were given an unfair advantage and status quo should be achieved as quickly as possible. A brutal attack on the terrorists and their supporters needs to be carried out which will wipe out terrorism from the valley, it is after all long overdue in the Kashmir valley.
