A War of Values and Stands for India against Pakistan

Oct 09, 2014 Tushita Politics 0

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The last few days have been hard for those living in the vicinity of the International Border as Pakistan continues the mortar shelling on the Indian side of the border resulting in civilian injuries and casualties. The tensions are far from cooling down.

But unlike previous such occurrences, this time around, India has retaliated with an even stronger response. As a result, our surprised neighbour has called for flag meetings at the local commanders’ level. A move different from the usual Indian preferences, has come into picture thereof as India has refused to hold any meetings unless the firing totally stops from Pakistan’s side.

Yesterday evening, firing from the western side of  the International Border resumed like it had never halted, directed at three Indian sectors of RS Pura, Akhnoor, and Hiranagar in Jammu.

What’s more surprising is Pakistan’s claim that India is to blame for the unending tensed atmosphere at the border.

“India finds it awkward when there is a peace on the International Border and the Line of Control because the world and the UN is calling for peace talks. So it wants to keep it hot for its own advantage. We want peace with India but if India fires on Pakistani soldiers and civilians, we will fire back,” former Major General Rashid Qureshi, Pakistani Army told a famous media house during a discussion.

There are suggestions that the devastating crises can be scaled down by getting the local commanders to interact.

“Both the armies are basically retaliating against each other. The Indian Army Chief had said a few days back that the Pakistani firing will be returned with full force. The media should also play a responsible role. Instead of putting cold water, they are adding fire to the fuel. There is a need to start from the top to downwards for normalisation of atmosphere. To start with only local commanders can sort out the ongoing tension,” said former Pakistan Army officer, Brigadier Yusuf Dogar.

The main bone of contention is yet again the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Needless to say that peace would remain far from reality until the Kashmir issue is mutually resolved by both the countries.

“Once Pakistan stops having Kashmir as a national agenda, things will fall in place. Right now, they are shelling the International Border to legitimise their concept of a working boundary. But the thing is if they fire, we fire back. During my tenure in the Northern Command, I realised that till the time they are not pulverized continuously they continue to inflict casualties on India. Otherwise they stop for a while after flag meetings and start all over again. We should not heed to their white flags,” stated Lt Gen (Retd) BS Jaswal, former Northern Command chief.

Pointing out that there is no limit on the Pakistani media to report the damage mete out by the Indian security forces, Reham Khan, a renowned Pakistani journalist asserted that it would be better if both the nations sat and talked out the matters it is the civilians who are incurring the cost.

“There is no censor on the Pakistani media. All Pakistani prime time shows are discussing India-Pakistan border clash. Had we been interested on pulverizing India, we would not have sought for a flag meeting. Frankly speaking the civilian population on both the sides are suffering. Both the countries should resolve their issues through dialogue,” he said.

Devinder Singh Rana, provincial president of the National Conference, holds a similar view as Khan that the civilians are taking the brunt, especially in India.

“People of Jammu and Kashmir on the International Border and Line of Control have been affected. Thousands are migrating to safer places leaving their homes behind,” Rana said. But the NC leader was also affirms that “talks can only happen when the guns fall silent”.

Unlike the previous government, the present government has taken a stern, bold and clear stance on the situation. Therefore, there is a great alteration in the manner the country responds to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

The Modi-led government by has simply refused to succumb to pressurising schemes of the Pakistani forces. In quite certain terms, the Indian regime at the centre has made its unshakeable stand known through taking strong decisions and actions in this regard.

Earlier, the government had cancelled bilateral talks with Pakistan since it interacted with separatists, which is not acceptable by the norms of Indian policies.

“Either they (Pakistan) must silence their guns or we silence their guns for them. Pakistan should realise that three red lines have been drawn. Firstly, no talks with Pakistan till the time they entertain separatists. Secondly, there will be no talks under the shadow of terror. Thirdly, there will be no talks under the shadow of gun,” said Mahesh Jethmalani, a senior advocate and BJP member.

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• India Pak War, J&K, peacetalks‬, ‪ndiapak‬, ‪‎narendramodi‬

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