Globally, it is bad news for Pakistan as the Resistance Front, an offshoot of its preferred terror module Lashkar-e-Toiba, claims responsibility for the brutal sectarian massacre of tourists in a Pahalgam meadow.
It is bad news because the pattern of attacks going back to spring 2000 has been repeated once again. It is bad news for Pakistan because there had been a palpable rush toward a semblance of business normalcy in the Kashmir Valley following years of unrest. And it is terribly bad news for Pakistan that this massacre comes in the wake of its Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, making provocative remarks.
Just a week before the attack, Munir declared at the Overseas Pakistanis Conference in Islamabad that Kashmir was the “jugular vein” of Pakistan and that “no power in the world” could separate the two.
Also Read: Pattern of terror in J&K amid high-profile US visits—Chittisinghpura, Kaluchak & now Pahalgam
Bad news for Pakistan
Unlike in the past, where massacres of local civilians were not preceded by incendiary comments from Pakistani leaders or soldiers, the 22 April Baisaran massacre will always be dovetailed with the truly pyromaniac comments made by Pakistan’s seminary-educated Chief of Army Staff.
That he should describe Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein in 2025 is simply a reflection of changelessness in the era of recreational space travel. Underlining differences in faith, customs, traditions, thoughts, and ambitions, Gen Munir set the stage for an outrageously sectarian massacre of unarmed Hindu men by Islamist insurgents.
However hard Pakistan may try to whitewash Munir’s reactionary comments for the eyes of the world, it will not be able to retreat from his deliberately provocative position. That the retrogressive remarks were made before an audience of overseas Pakistanis highlights the agenda that is in store — or simply re-released for current consumption. The recipients of this message of hate have flown across the seven seas, carrying the words of the most powerful man in all of Pakistan. And it didn’t take long for the words to have their first effects, however much Islamabad may want to distance itself.
The fact of the matter is that Islamabad needs to distance itself from GHQ Rawalpindi, especially now that current leadership speaks with a different tone and language than has been heard over the last decade or so.
Military leadership in Pakistan has spoken remarkably conciliatory language in the recent past, even if the words did not translate to greater breakthrough over policy change. But Gen Munir has turned the clock back to a period where Pakistan’s policy choices ushered in an era of terrible violence and bloodshed.
Bad news for Pakistan, especially since its overseas messengers have gone back carrying hateful messages.
Also Read: Pahalgam attack deserves retaliation. India can borrow from US, Israel playbook
Bad news for Kashmir
It is also bad news for the Kashmir Valley, which was bracing itself for a booming summer season in tourism and travel-related industries. April is really when it all begins, and in 2025, it has taken a major hit just as it seemed like boom time had arrived. Cancellations have naturally begun and are likely to continue. Confidence is the first casualty in this game, and it is easy to understand why this causes deep anguish to the recently restored government of Omar Abdullah.
A summer full of pain is also politically lethal.
Fatalities are foretold in this season of suffering and grief. Government and security forces must ensure that, in the heat of the moment, innocents are not used as pawns for the PPT of success.
In the game of terror and counter-terror, success depends solely on mental stamina and the strength to stay the course. The war thrust upon India is an ideological one, and it cannot be won just by force. There is, undoubtedly, an important role for the use of force, as without it, the back of terror cannot be broken. But that alone isn’t enough.
In the case of Kashmir 2025, what is equally important is that the people of the Valley be counted among those who stand up against terror.
It isn’t simply a matter of condemnation through words. Now it has to be done with deeds. And in the cat-and-mouse of terror and insurgency, there is much that the people of Kashmir can do, and need to do. Their livelihoods are being paralysed by provocations that emanate from Pakistan. An entire spectrum of economic activity lies frozen by the actions of messianic mercenaries released by jihadi masterminds.
In a game where the initiative for action lies with terrorists plotting mayhem, remaining immobilised is no longer an option for the people of Kashmir. Their response will be the first message read by the manipulators of the terrorists themselves. Retributory actions have happened in the past, and may be repeated as and when appropriate decisions are taken.
Until then, vigilance and awareness are of utmost importance. Information is the key to success and the repository of that wealth is the people of Kashmir. For it is among them that the perpetrators and planners of such ghastly violence hide and take shelter.
Manvendra Singh is a BJP leader, Editor-in-Chief of Defence & Security Alert and Chairman, Soldier Welfare Advisory Committee, Rajasthan. He is writing a book on the IPKF. He tweets @ManvendraJasol. Views are personal.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)