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Taleban fall opens the eyes of Kashmiris

Binoo Joshi in Srinagar

The fall of the Taleban in Afghanistan and its betrayal by its strongest ally Pakistan has opened many eyes in Jammu and Kashmir.

There are murmurs among Kashmiri Muslims that even the strongest of jihadi forces cannot seem to withstand the military might of America and that Pakistan does not appear to be a trustworthy nation.

Kashmir has been caught up in a violent, secessionist insurgency since 1989, witnessing the killing of more than 30,000 people. India accuses Pakistan of promoting terrorism in the state, a charge Islamabad denies.

The perception growing in Kashmir now is also that while America has been ruthless in Afghanistan, where suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network flourished before the air strikes began on October 7, India has shown considerable restraint in Kashmir despite losing more than 3,000 soldiers. Memories of last year's Ramadan ceasefire, when security force operations were suspended are still fresh in their minds.

"When the people have seen the real face of Pakistan, the crumbling of the Taleban and the ruthlessness of the West, it is India that has an opportunity now. It should show a different face and I am sure that will help," said Mohammad Ashraf, a government employee.

"Every Kashmiri wants peace and a bright future for his children. The Taleban and Pakistan cannot give that."

Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani has ruled out another ceasefire in Kashmir. Though he did not elaborate, the security forces believe the situation has changed a great deal since last year.

At a meeting of the Unified Headquarters on Friday in Nagrota, headquarters of the 16 Corps guarding the frontier near Jammu, the tensions on the border with Pakistan and the possibility of the Taleban making it to this side of the Line of Control evoked serious concern.

The UHQ -- the apex body taking decisions on security affairs in Jammu & Kashmir -- felt that despite the slight decline in the violence in the state, the security situation did not warrant another ceasefire, notwithstanding a passionate plea by the secessionist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Surprisingly, the concerns voiced at the UHQ about the possibility of Taleban soldiers making it to Jammu & Kashmir are heard in Kashmir's streets too. Kashmiris are worried because they feel such a scenario would bring more trouble.

"We have already seen terrible things happening here. We don't want the Taleban. We are not Afghans, our thinking and mindset is different," said Mohammad Amin, a resident of the Lal Bazaar area in the capital Srinagar.

"We don't want any more violence."

Amin is also one among many voices in Kashmir that have become critical of the Hurriyat. "Where were they when there was a ceasefire (last year)?" he asked. "Why didn't they support the ceasefire last year? If they can appeal to the militants to stop the violence now sitting here, why didn't they do it last year?"

This, say analysts, is the cumulative effect of what is happening on the world stage. "The people are realising fast that things are changing and the Kashmiris are better aware of the political realities unfolding before them on their TV screens day in and day out," commented a university professor, requesting anonymity.

"Don't go by the success of the general strike calls," he added, describing them as mere expressions of solidarity with the Afghans like in the rest of the Muslim world. "We are against the killing of innocents".

Indo-Asian News Service

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