Postcards from the edge

is this too the work of freedom fighters, Gen Musharraf?

THE perils of a breakdown in Indo-Pakistan talks at Agra were always more than clear. That terrorists, so repeatedly honoured with the label of freedom fighters by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, would spring forth with violent attacks on innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir had been apprehended throughout. And look how they have kept the toll ticking over since Saturday: 13 persons killed near Sheshnag during their pilgrims’ progress to Amarnath, 15 persons shot dead in Cherji, a remote and picturesque village in Doda, four of the seven village defence committee members abducted in a parallel incident murdered. But anticipation does not — it must not — breed acquiescence.

This spurt in attacks on innocent civilians — yet another retreat to massacre to score a political point — must not be forgotten just as soon as it recedes from newspaper headlines. The jehadi organisations and the official sponsors across the border — and yes, it must be restated for the benefit of those given to semantics, also those across the Line of Control — cannot be allowed to go about their little plans with such ease. This demands immense resourcefulness, more than has been on display, from the security forces: the resourcefulness to read the adversary’s mind, to sabotage attacks and to resist reacting to acts of provocation. Estimates of foreign mercenaries and Pakistan-supported militants on the prowl in Jammu and Kashmir vary, as do appraisals of the government’s intelligence gathering network; but the key to winning the contest lies in seizing the initiative. It is certainly a formidable challenge, given the inputs in terms of the men, ammunition and plots from across the border. It is an endeavour that also demands a nimble diplomatic offensive, especially since this weekend-ful of violence cannot but be seen in light of General Musharraf’s maiden attempt at summiteering. Kashmir, Kashmir, only Kashmir was the refrain of the visiting Pakistani delegation at Agra, and Kashmir, Kashmir, only Kashmir it has been since the visitors returned home. In Kashmir lies the key to peace in the subcontinent, they keep saying. However, it is a peace that has in the first place been shattered by official Pakistani support to terrorism. The glib attempt to underplay the support to militancy by Musharraf and his team has to be countered both on the ground and at the talkathons they so revel in.

Musharraf has displayed a glaring passion for logic, for breaking down a problem into so many parts and hazarding a solution in a progression of steps. It’s a contagious practice, and here’s our little tidbit. Step One for any progress towards normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan must necessarily include a demonstration of sincerity by both Islamabad and New Delhi. For the former it implies quelling the violence in Jammu and Kashmir, and for the latter it implies mentioning the K-word without getting queasy. To be fair, India has made the concession. Will Pakistan respond?