As usual Kashmir erupted after the killing of three terrorists including Hizbul’s poster boy Burhan Wani and his three associates. The violence is on expected lines after any killing of a militant in Kashmir to express its resentment against India and its armed forces. The first attack by Burhan at Anantnag was on 4th June – just a couple of weeks after Mehbooba Mufti won a by-election from there. Soon after that bold attack, a video of Burhan went viral on social media. Among other things, he called in that video recording on policemen not to participate in counter-insurgency actions. He even sent message that the current year Amarnath Yatra would not be disturbed. During the summer of 2015, Burhan became an unparalleled icon of Kashmiri rebellion. Although former JKLF chief commander Ishfaq Majid, who was killed on 30th March, 1990, may have had a higher profile, Burhan belonged to an age of extraordinary media coverage and reach. Militant attacks have become far more lethal and focused than in the past, however, despite the elimination of many leading figures of south Kashmir’s militancy, just a fortnight ago, a large number of CRPF jawans were killed and injured as their convoy traversed the main national highway just outside Srinagar city. As the dust settles the situation in Kashmir Valley becomes clear posing many questions. The killing of terrorist of Burhan fame has been a big success for the security agencies who have been after him for the last one year. It is unfortunate that people despite knowing that over two decades of militancy, and support to it against security agencies, have not fetched anything for them rather more trouble and pain still they play into the hands of separatists who have masters sitting across the border in Pakistan. Pakistan would try to foment trouble and keep the Valley boiling which needs to be kept under watch. Caution is the word while dealing with such delicate situation and for Chief Minister Mehboob Mufti this is testing time as the local
sentiments are on the rise.