Pakistan should understand changed realities in J&K, stop cross-border terrorism

Pakistan sponsored terrorists did it again on Sunday evening when they targeted civilians, leaving seven of them , including local and non-local construction labouers and a doctor, dead. This is the most despicable and deadliest attack in Kashmir after several years , in which terrorists attempted to show their heinous presence and the sinister objectives they have been pursuing , but what they have not understood and realized in adequate measure that Kashmir’s temperament has changed.

Today’s Kashmir is forward-looking . It hates senseless violence . The people in Kashmir have for long endured the excruciating pain of losing loved ones , mourning in silence because of the fear . Not anymore . They have seen new light in their lives in the past five years after the abrogation of Article 370 . There may be many theories attributed to them, but they know what the abrogation of this constitutional provision has delivered to them – peace which was missing from their lives for over 30 years, and which consumed their three generations .
Kashmir has been a witness to many horrific incidents in the past , the spillover effect of which was borne by Jammu region as well. It was against that backdrop that the whole of Jammu and Kashmir was declared as a disturbed area and the forces were given special powers under Armed Forces Special Powers Act 9 AFSPA). The real powers came to them when Article 370 was revoked on August 5, 2019 . The whole dynamic of counter-terrorism operation changed – the forces got a free hand to deal with terrorists and the ecosystem that sustained them it would not be out of place to recall the role of the political governments which generated several other narratives . They were seen espousing the cause of the elements who worked against the nation at several levels. There were layers over layers in the political system hampering all out operations against terrorists .
After the abrogation of Article 370 , the first task that the Centre undertook was to put an end to era of street violence and clashes while at the same time it hunted down terrorists, their hideouts . No perpetrator of violence would be spared became the mantra of the government in right earnest after Manoj Sinha took over as Lieutenant Governor of J&K in August 2020 .
In his little-over four years tenure so far he has ensured that peace gains its momentum due to the tireless efforts of the security forces and improvement in the delivery system on the administrative front. Employees and officers were seen in their offices and made to work with a clockwise precision as no room was left for the shutdowns, general strikes . The people had limited access to the secretariat but online system compensated for that lack of physical access . This comprehensive strategy worked to enhance the space for peace and normalcy.
Pakistan is unable to see all these developments . Its structure of terrorism was dismantled with the support of the people . Two back to back elections – Lok Sabha and Assembly in 2024 – took all the wind out of its sails. These elections were held in utmost peaceful environment and a democratically elected government has come back in the union territory , for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi , Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha deserve all the credit . The peace measures initiated by the Centre, through welfare schemes and by enabling Kashmir to host international events like G20 summit in May 2023 , and international marathon on Sunday , gave a new tag to J&K- being a destination for international events.
Pakistan landed in deep depression . Sunday evening’s attack at Gagangir , near Sonamarg, is an outlet of this frustration . Pakistan has miscalculated everything . This time , both Home Minister Amit Shah and LG Manoj Sinha have vowed to finish off perpetrators of this crime .
More than forces , the people too are getting ready to punish the terrorists . Just wait and watch.