Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Reality Graph of India Shining by Dr. Raja Muhammad Khan


In order to gain the victory in the elections of 2004, the then ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised the slogan of ‘India Shining’.
In fact BJP led NDA government wanted to befool the innocent masses that because of their reforms over the last decade, India had progressed overnight and had attained a status whereby it had started shining in all fields. This indeed was a misleading concept, based on economic optimism and Indian development in the field of information technology. The concept was supported by the copious crops in year 2003, following the timely and favourable rains. Apart from economic gains, the nationalists BJP leadership of India wanted an international protuberance of India, especially in the post 9/11 scenario, where India wanted to present its image of a soft power in the comity of nations. Projected under the former Finance Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, the India Shining campaign, casted India millions of US dollars through Grey Worldwide Advertising Company. Following this phrase, the Indian political parties have been toying with-both sarcastically and in dead earnest. A phrase coined by the political bigwigs and joyfully tom-tomed by the Indian consumer market; “India shining-welcome to the India of the 21st century”. As per Indian writer Mr. Anil Chawla, in order to raise its image in the eyes of masses and at global level, “Government of India spent close to Rs. five billion on an advertising campaign that announced India Shining”. The leaders of NDA Government gave an impression that they have done more for the country in just five years than all governments of previous fifty years. According to them, India is on the way of becoming a superpower. On the contrary, their opponent, Congress led UPA Government claims that BJP has only promoted the ideology of Hindu extremism and terrorism in Indian society. Upon its failure to win the election – 2004, the BJP leader and candidate for premiership, Mr. L.K Advani said that we have given good governance to the people and were confident to form government and “the impression even among the opponents and foreign analysts was that we will win....but we lost...one, due to over-confidence and secondly, using some wrong slogans like India Shining...,". Mr. Advani further said that though it was a valid slogan, but out of place for our election campaign. “By making them verbal icons of our election campaign, we gave our political opponents an opportunity to highlight other aspects of India's contemporary reality...which questioned our claim." The critics of the Shining India slogan which include intelligentsia, men at streets and even the politicians who have been categorically pointing out that India was overwhelmed by the issues like poverty and inequality. The India Shining slogan was seen by majority of the people including BJP allies of NDA government as “glossing over a variety of social problems facing the people of India” especially those living on the country side/ villages. The system of justice in country is ought to be a foundation for the democracy. In shining India, the corruption of courts is at peak, thus making the very basis of democracy as shaky and creaky. Apart from courts, the level of corruption in India has reached to an extent that, it is no longer possible to get anything done without greasing the palms. Indeed the India Shining, the so called world’s largest democracy is a land of extreme contradiction. On the one hand, it has second highest number of billionaires, whereas on the other it is home to the teeming millions who scarcely keep the wolf from the door. Minorities and lower Indian castes are totally vulnerable, open to exploitation by higher Indian castes without any remorse and state protection. Contrary to its claim, India has never demonstrated to be a secular state, neither could she upheld its claims of a social welfare state. Its dominant castes have always committed unprecedented breach of international obligations of fundamental human rights of lower classes and Dalits. Indian police and security forces have been found quite often in extrajudicial killings, including staged encounter killings and custodial deaths. Surprisingly the security forces officials who commit human rights abuses generally enjoy de-facto legal impunity. Apart from this, harassment and arrest of human rights activists; extensive societal violence and legal and social discrimination against women; forced prostitution; child abuse and female infanticide; widespread inter-caste and communal violence; religion-based violence against Muslims and Christians are regular features, clearly reflecting the Indian insensitivity and exposing her tall claims of a secular state. The India shining has given a new trend to the state sponsor terrorism in Occupied Kashmir, North and Northeastern states, state of Gujarat and brutalities against Sikhs are some of the examples. The so-called Shining India, in fact is home to the world’s largest number of poor people inhabiting a single country. Out of its over one billion population, an estimated four hundred millions are living below the poverty line. More than 40 per cent of the population is illiterate, with women, tribal and scheduled castes particularly affected. Because of poverty, there is a sharp increase in the ratio of deaths through suicides. According to an official report of India, nearly 70% people live in inhuman conditions. A national survey held recently indicated that majority of people living along countryside have their daily earnings less than rupees 30. In March 2007, it was pointed out by Asian Director of Human Rights Watch, Brad Adams, in a UNO organized conference against discrimination that, "The UN Committee's concluding observations confirm that India has failed to properly protect Dalits and tribal communities." After having known the reality, one has to shore up the Indian even-tempered psychotherapists who strongly believe that, as a slum dweller, India is facing multiple problems in all fields. Indeed, a vast majority of Indians do not know where their next meal is going to come from. Therefore the fact remains that India is neither shining nor will shine ever. Rather, it is a shelter less inn for the majority of its underprivileged masses.

BD rifles mutiny, an Indian conspiracy by Sultan M Hali


As soon as Awami League (AL) came to occupy the seat of government in Dhaka, a macabre plot was hatched with Indian complicity to teach the BD Army a lesson.
The gruesome event of mutiny in Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) killing their Commanding General and many others including officers’ families and children came as a rude shock. As per media reports the dreadful event took place on differences over pay and perk between Army and Bangladesh Rifles. The Jawans of BDR also complained about corruption of Army Officers who come to BDR for a short tenure and indulge in corrupt practices. The question is that causes as reported through media are not commensurate with the magnitude of the criminal activity that took place in the BDR. The saner elements of the society are skeptical about the real causes leading to mass scale mutiny in a disciplined force of BDR. Across the board investigation to unearth the facts is imperative to punish those responsible for such a gory drama and to avert such future happening in the BD Armed Forces. Although the government of Bangladesh is investigating the whole episode yet there is a need for the government of BD to see through the designs of their real enemy India who want the newly elected AL government to accept their demands including transit route facilities and joint task force etc. The fact of the matter is that India wants to plunder Bangladesh’s wealth at any cost. While AL of Sheikh Hasina Wajid is pro-Indian political party of Bangladesh, Indian spy masters want to inflict maximum damage on the Armed Forces of Bangladesh creating fear in the minds of officers to understand Indian messages while guarding their national interests. It appears to be a deliberate Indian scheme to sponsor the mutiny and killing of BDR officers while cleverly insinuating against ISI of Pakistan as a cover story. The unfortunate saga which unfolded in Dhaka sounds out of place that a group of soldiers could reach the threshold of frustration over pecuniary matters resulting in savage butchery of officers, women and innocent children. Reports have surfaced now about mutineer’s communications with across the border further cementing the speculations that this was too well planned an operation to be handled by junior cadre alone. Bangladesh has paid a heavy price to resist the Indian hegemonic designs in the region. The secrets about the recent conspiratorial mutiny are gradually being unfolded. Many links have already been unearthed and after joining them together the conspiracy theory is now being believed by almost everyone as a reality. The most horrifying aspect is that all links leads to the Government involvement the PM in particular along with some of Sheikh Hasina’s confidants. It is now largely believed that the revolt was not a spontaneous one among the ranks and files but a small group of 20/25 individuals were carefully organized over a period of time to spearhead the sad episode taking the advantage of some petty grudges of the ranks and files. The group had been organized under direct supervision of PM’s Defense Advisor General Tareq Siddiqui (Retd), the brother in law of Sheikh Hasina, who after retirement has been picked up as Defense Advisor to the PM with the status of a full minister. Under him the following persons worked to organize the group of the agent provocateurs. 1. Sahara Khatun the Home Minister 2. Mirza Azam presently whip of the ruling party 3. Jahangir Kabir Nanak ex- President of Jubo League now State Minister of Local Govt. He is a ruthless person who was charged for corruption, extortion, arson and cold-blooded murders by the last army-backed interim Govt. of Fakhruddin. 4. MD. Tawheed (a long time close friend of Nanak) appointed as the Deputy Assistant Director in BDR along with three other persons in different posts by the Home Ministry. 5. ADV. Quamrullslam 6. Sheikh Fazle Nur Taposh(son of Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni, nephew of Mujib killed in encounter on 15th Aug revolution 1975) 7. Hasan Mohamed DG RAB 8. Nasim khan appointed by the present Govt. as DMP Commissioner. 9. Nur Mohammad newly appointed IGP. The mutiny commenced at 10 am and surprisingly by 12 noon Hasina sent Nanak to BDR HQ at Pilkhana as her emissary where the Home Minister joined with Nanak to bring a delegation of the mutineers headed by MD. Tawheed for a negotiated settlement of the crisis refusing permission to the armed forces to act at the very onset of the mutiny. The delegation arrived at PM’s residence escorted by Nanak, Sahara Khatun, IGP and DMP Commissioner like VIPs and just handed over their hand scribbled demands to Hassina and returned triumphantly with a general amnesty from her. Nanak, Sahara Khatun escorted back the delegation to BDR HQ. Within a few minutes Sahara khatun’s car left the HQ with three covered faced co passengers mysteriously for unknown destination. After the departure of Sahara Khatun the Home Minister Nanak also left the place in a hurry. There after IGP was ordered to send police inside to collect the dead bodies littering all over the compound. Injured were sent to hospitals. On the 2nd of March Hasina visited the Army Headquarters to address about 2000 officers who came from all over the country to pay homage to the martyrs and take part in the burial ceremony. There she could feel the heat of anger and quickly left the place cutting short her address. She was terribly nervous and scared to face the angry young officers. The message that she carried back was that she could no longer trust BD armed forces nether she could earn respect from them. Under such situation before it is too late she decided to hasten the hidden agenda to allow foreign forces to come in to tame and establish full control over the BD armed forces, intelligence agencies and all other law enforcing forces under the pretext of restructuring, modernization etc. Accordingly just after her visit to the Dhaka Cantt she convened an urgent session of Parliament to discuss the present crisis facing the nation. In her speech she openly sought all out help and assistance from America, Britain, UN and other agencies to come in to restructure and reorganize the untrustworthy armed forces and all other law enforcing forces of Bangladesh including intelligence agencies fighting against terror. However, the fact remains that such a national betrayal is just to secure herself and her Govt in power being dependent on the forces of the foreign masters. A wishful thinking indeed! It is simply another classical proof of that golden saying “we read history but not learn anything from it and thus history repeats itself.”

The snake in the grass — II by Ali Sukhanver


The mutiny started at around 10 a.m. and surprisingly by 12 noon Hasina Wajid sent Nanak to BDR Headquarters at Pilkhana as her emissary where the Home Minister joined with Nanak to bring a delegation of the mutineers headed by M.D. Tawheed for a negotiated settlement of the crisis, refusing permission to the armed forces to act at the very onset of the mutiny.
The delegation arrived at the PM’s residence escorted by Nanak, Sahara Khatun, IGP and DMP Commissioner like VIPs and just handed over their hand scribbled demands to Prime Minister Hasina and returned triumphantly with a general amnesty from her. Nanak, Sahara Khatun escorted back the delegation to BDR Headquarters. Within a few minutes Sahara Khatun’s car left the HQ with three covered faced co-passengers mysteriously for unknown destination. After the departure of Sahara Khatun the Home Minister Nanak also left the place in a hurry. There after the IGP was ordered to send police inside to collect the dead bodies littering all over the compound. The injured were sent to hospitals. Hasina allowed the army to take position around the compound but not to storm it. She negotiated with the mutineers for the next 36 hours, first directly, then through emissaries whom she dispatched to a sweet shop on the edge of the compound. She offered a general amnesty and promised to address the rebels’ grievances. On day two, when they refused to surrender, she threatened to send in tanks. By the time the siege ended, more than 6,000 border guards had escaped. This situation gives birth to so many suspicions. Most of the opposition parties of Bangladesh are taking this mutiny as a very well-planned drama, written and directed by the Indian intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing). They are sure the prime minister is purely working for the Indian hegemonic designs. Abdur Razzak, a leader of the conservative Jamaat-e-Islami blamed, “This all was an army problem. The army should have solved it in their wisdom.” He saw the mutiny as a conspiracy designed to weaken the army and the state. The opposition leaders are referring to the statement made by the prime minister during her election campaign, “I would root out Islamist guerrillas, try alleged war criminals that collaborated against Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971, nurture friendly relations with neighbouring India, and stop anti-Indian insurgents from using Bangladeshi soil for attacks against New Delhi.” Even in the army, there is some hatred and distrust for the prime minister. On March 2 Hasina visited the Army Headquarters to address about 2,000 officers who came from all over the country to pay homage to the martyrs and take part in their burial ceremony. There she could feel the heat of anger and quickly left the place, cutting short her address. She was terribly nervous and scared to face the angry young officers. The message that she carried back was that she could no longer trust the armed forces neither she could earn respect from them. The present situation should be very much alarming not only for the prime minister but also for the armed forces. What would be the end of a country whose prime minister is being alleged for working as an agent of a foreign country? It is the responsibility of the Bangladesh armed forces to see through the designs of their real enemy India which wants the newly elected Awami League government to accept their demands, including transit route facilities and joint task force, etc. The fact is that India wants to plunder Bangladesh’s wealth at any cost. While Awami League of Sheikh Hasina Wajid is a pro-Indian political party, Indian spy masters want to inflict maximum damage to the armed forces of Bangladesh, creating fear in the minds of officers to understand Indian messages while guarding their national interests. It appears to be a deliberate Indian scheme to sponsor the mutiny and killing of BOR officers while cleverly insinuating against ISI of Pakistan as a cover story. Recently after the mutiny in Bangladesh, Uncle Sam has cautioned his loving son-in-law to stop supplying capital to the terrorist organisations through “Hundi” and “Hawala” money transfer system. This caution to India by the US not only certifies the role played by India in the spread of terrorism in South Asia but also shatters the so-called image of the country as harmless peace loving dove. According to the media reports the US has very clearly suggested that the Indian intelligence agencies, particularly the RAW should review their activities in South Asia.

Ideological Basis of Hindu Terrorism by Dr. Raja Muhammad Khan


The use of violence to achieve ends is called terrorism. Terrorism has existed since time immemorial by state, groups or individuals.
The recorded history of ‘terrorism’ dates back to 66 AD and 70 AD, when Sicarri Zealots, rose against the Romans in Palestine due to the atrocities committed by the Romans. They adopted the strategy of “pure terror”, to cause panic and fear. They carried out broad daylight attacks, targeting government officials and Romans supporters. However the word terror was formally used during French Revolution when the state used extreme measures between 1793 -1797 and was referred to as “terror from above”. It has existed for centuries but has never been felt as it was felt during the later part of the 20th century and in the current times, mainly because of the shrinking of the world leading to globalization and cyber revolution. In the Sub-continent, large Hindu terrorist group known as ‘Thugs’ operated for 300 to 600 years in India, before they faded away owing to the pressure of British Colonialism in the middle of the 19th century. While tracking the history, it is highlighted that in 1968, there were eleven terrorists groups, none having religious affiliations. By 2004, there were seventy seven US designated terrorist groups, out of which almost half had some religious affiliation. Now this number has been further augmented. “Hindu terrorism” has been a reality ever since it existed. Nevertheless, it has been cleverly concealed from the world; therefore, very less has been listen, said or written about it. Now the time has come that the true face of the Hindu terrorism must be highlighted and exposed to the global community, before it engulf the region or globe as a whole. Today, because of Hindu terrorism, not only innocent people, but, weak and smaller countries are being victimized and strangulated alike. Hindu terrorism is a stark reality which remains magically eclipsed. It is as old as Hindu civilization. In the Hindu beliefs, both preserver Vishnu and destroyer Shiva are deities. Furthermore, the caste system entitles the higher caste to punish and torture the lower caste even to an extent of killing an innocent and, also, no one has the right to live in their land who does not believe in ‘Hindutva’ (the Hindu way of life). Though remained largely unnoticed, Hindu Terrorism is not a new phenomenon. Rather, it is as old as the origin of this religion is. It is imbedded deep inside its mythology, culture, customs and way of life, which justifies killing and violence against those who do not fall within its beliefs. In Hindu beliefs, to kill or terrorize those who are inferior human beings is a sacred act. To sacrifice innocent human lives at the altar of Hindu doctrines is an act of piety in order to achieve the blessings of deities. Apart from the above beliefs the “Mahabharata” of Vedic golden age has to be reincarnated, which extends from Indonesia to Iran and Afghanistan. The beliefs and the dream of Mahabharata are a compulsive obsession of Hindu mind and their sacred duty. These concepts are the driving force behind Hindu terrorism. The killing fields of Hindu terrorism are filled with human flesh and blood and are increasing continuously with the rise of Hindu power. For the sacred religious duty and to fulfill the promise to their gods of Mahabharata, all the Hindus are united, whether they are overt extremists of ‘Sangh Parivar’, covert secularists of Indian Congress Party, law enforcing agencies or the Indian army. The two faces of Hindu terrorism help in cloaking its darker side, but events like, massacres of Gujarat or Indian Colonel PS Shurat’s involvement in Samjhauta Express are the living proofs of recent times. From the Hindu beliefs and Hindu actions today nothing is hidden, only the world needs to be aware of it to save itself from Hindu fascism. In South Asia, Hindus for ages have committed acts of violence against other communities and religions to achieve political objectives, but their centuries old philosophy of ‘cloak and dagger’ succeeded in making them magically invisible. The rise of India after Ashoka has accentuated the use of violent means to subjugate innocent and peaceful communities and nations. Hindu extremism has internationalized and remains cloaked from the world’s eyes. It is another unfortunate, success story of the ‘Two Faced Hindu Terrorism’. In USA an organization by the name of Indian Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) generates funds to distribute among ‘Sangh Parivar’ in India. It lists Sewa International as its counterpart in India. In Africa it lives by the name of Bhartiya Swayamsevak Sangh (BSS) and in Britain it has been established as Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (H.S.S). In Britain true to its tradition it has started with the face of ‘Lakshmi’ keeping in hiding the face of ‘Kali’ which it has in India. Today, in India there are many organizations with extremist Hindu beliefs trying to establish Hindutva. Together these are called ‘Sangh Parivar’ and include Rashtriya Swayarnsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Prashad (VHP), Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal. They all work in collusion with mainstream political party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian establishment. Recently the arrest of serving Colonel PS Shurat with a retired Major Upadhay and some soldiers in Malegaon blasts and Samjhauta Express terror attack and their association with ‘Hindutva’ believers just tells us that, how deep Hindu terror has penetrated even in the Indian Army. In Kashmir Brigadier (retired) Suchet Singh is one of the leading members of an extremist Hindu Party. More worrying is that BJP, the progeny of RSS has many ex-servicemen and more are joining it. They have a separate association. Major General (retired) B.C. Khanduria of BJP and an active member of terrorist Hindu group is the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. The Indian army’s infestation with ‘Hindutva’ concept is not from today. This is visible from decades. Their atrocity in Kashmir against Muslim men and women is well documented even by Indian Human rights organizations. Their brutal attitude towards Sikhs in the Golden Temple attack is yet another example and their absence or late arrivals when Hindus were on the rampage in Babri Mosque cannot be denied. All the battle cries of Indian Army are not of Indian secular army but a Hindu Army. All ten commandants of B.C. Joshi; ex Indian Army Chief, in 1993 had quotations from “Vedas”. More dangerous and diabolical is that retired Hindu servicemen give training to RSS Maranders. It looks as if the Indian Army means an Army with Hindu ideology with a dream to fulfill the ‘Hindutva’. Hindu extremism is internationalized, but remains cloaked from the world’s eyes. It is another inopportune, success story of the ‘Two Faced Hindu Terrorism’. Today at the global panorama, there are a number of terrorist movements operating. But this is heartening to know that only a negligible numbers of their terrorist acts have ever been known. Most of those are even not acknowledged as they are committed by those who are strong enough to crush its recognition. Hindu Terrorism’ is one such reality which very much exists today. The terror of its dagger is naked yet it seems to be cloaked and invisible. It is important that Hindu Terrorism’ must be highlighted and the reasons for its manifestations and existence must be explained. The roots of ‘Hindu Terrorism’ lie in their mythology and doctrines. It is embedded in the minds of Hindus. The two faces of their beliefs and doctrines work craftily and artfully in order to hide the ruthless side of their actions. Alas! World could have noticed the true visage of Hindu terrorism and its impending intends.

Nexuses of Lahore Terror Attack by Dr. Raja Muhammad Khan


Ever since the Munich incident of 1972, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed, there have been no assaults on sports events.
The 3/3 terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket at Lahore is being viewed with torment by everyone in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere in the world. The uncomforting incident has caused eight deaths and around a dozen injuries including six Sri Lankan players. With a dedicated mission to implement, the assailants had brought with them heavy sums of arms and ammunition to cause maximum obliteration. The incident on the one hand speaks flaws in the security arrangements made for the visiting team, while on the other, is indicative of the fact that the attackers were well trained and had methodically rehearsed their actions before final blow on March 3, 2009. Until now, over two dozen people have been arrested on the charges of qualms, mostly from the areas along the Indo-Pak border. After evaluating the factors and motives behind the attack; Mr. Rehman Malik, advisor to the Prime Minister on internal affairs, said, “We suspect a foreign hand behind this incident. The democracy of the country has been undermined, and foreigners are repeatedly attacked to harm the country’s image.” United States pointed its fingers towards Al-Qaeda, Taliban or Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and also declared it as a new strategy of attack, ‘new terrorist strike of choice’. A former White House counter terrorism expert, Juan Zarate opined, “It’s likely that there will be more of these kinds of attacks, which are much more difficult to defend against”. There are many other views mostly from South Asian analysts, who suspect the elements of Tamil Tiger’s organization; the LTTE, behind the attack. Some analysts are even trying to establish a linkage between elements of LTTE and some Pakistan based banned Islamic organizations. A number of people even tried to link it with the Mumbai attacks of November 26, 2008. Indeed the attack is being viewed from various angles by analysts and security experts, with everyone agreeing on one point that; ‘it was an act of terrorism, scrupulously planned and exceptionally executed by well trained terrorists’. It is pertinent to highlight that in spite of stiff Indian opposition, Sri Lanka Government, while upholding its friendship with Pakistan, sent its cricket team to play a friendly series. The decision highly infuriated India, whose premier intelligence agency; RAW planned to disrupt the series through its traditional act of sabotage and insurrection. These malevolence designs of the RAW were even officially reported to Punjab Government on January 22, 2009, by the Crimes Investigation Department (CID). Regrettably, owing to the political turmoil and postings of the concerned security officials of the provincial government, all these reports and warnings were taken lightly. Following the attack, Indian officials and state media tried to forestall the incident with old rhetoric that the attack was undertaken by religious outfits like Lashkar-e-Tayba etc. Logic provided for this was based on an assumption that this religious outfit indeed wanted to kidnap some players of the Sri Lankan team and later use them for the release of its leader, Zakiur Rehman Naqvi, arrested in connection with Mumbai attacks. To supplement the disingenuous story of RAW, Indian Foreign, Defence and Home Ministers issued evocative statements. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee even said, “Unless infrastructure and facilities available to the terrorist organizations within Pakistan or territory under its control are completely dismantled, repetition of these incidents will take place”. Indeed these statements and misperceptions from Indian officials were an effort to project cynical image of Pakistan to international community. Beside other factors, the timing of the attack has to be analyzed critically. The terror attack has been conducted at a time once in the 25 years of insurrectionary history of Sri Lanka, RAW sponsored LTTE had almost lost its infighting with Sri Lankan state forces in February 2009 and its ailing leader Mr. Prabhakaran was airlifted by secret services elements of India to a safer location. Moreover there have been cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the field of defense and security and Pakistan has provided her with necessary military hardware which proved very supportive in quelling the insurgency, therefore India found the occasion as the most opportune to hunt both the countries with a single shot. Incontrovertibly, incidents of such magnitude could not have been done by any Pakistani or anyone having even a minutest love for Pakistan. Religious organizations in Pakistan would not have done that, mainly because there are neither commonalities of believes nor tangible rationales of acquaintances between LTTE and these Pakistan based religious organizations. Even the arrest of Zakiur Rehman Naqvi by Pakistani authorities is considered to be a preventive act; otherwise he or anyone else from Pakistani soil is not anticipated to be involved in the indistinct Mumbai attack. In reality, ever since it was foundation in 1968, RAW has radically contributed in the destabilization of Pakistan through its terrorist network operative in the country. Even today it has thousands of agents intruded inside Pakistani borders to create the nastiest security tribulations. Besides, its previously planted agents, in all eventualities, there is yet a likelihood that, LTTE elements might have been used by RAW for this attack on Sri Lankan team for four obvious rationales: firstly, Sri Lankan cricket team comprises of Sinhalese, which are the main target of LTTE and moreover their visit to Pakistan against the desires of India exasperated the RAW. Secondly; the desperate RAW backed LTTE, after losing the battle in Sri Lanka, must have tried to regain its significance by targeting the vulnerable events like cricket; thus demonstrating that the terrorist organization has the potential to carry out its activities elsewhere, outside the Sri Lankan borders. Thirdly; Pakistan has been providing the military aid to Sri Lankan Government for its counterinsurgency operations, which had caused distress in the camps of RAW and LTTE, both considered this, as the most appropriate occasion to level the score. Fourthly; the terrorist organization is basically trained and sponsored by RAW, under ‘Indra Doctrine’, therefore always acts on its orders to pursue its mission of destabilizing the neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan. Apart from the lapse in the security arrangements, it is very palpable that, the incident was aimed at slandering Pakistan and declaring it, a state utterly unsecure for the conduct of any international event on its soil. It has also placed caution on the visits of foreign nationals in Pakistan, in a way; pushing it towards an economic and political commotion. In the wake of the damaging role being played by RAW, the security of such like events cannot be left to the law enforcing agencies only. Time has come where nation as whole has to rise to the occasion by becoming fully cognizant of its security intimidation, especially those covert activities, emanating from across the borders. Apart from the national leadership, intelligentsia and the media must play a positive role through a campaign of awareness among the masses of Pakistan against such like incidents in the future.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Muddling Balochistan by Zaresh Khan

Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan just 100 kms from the Afghan frontier, has been a magnet for the Afghans fleeing fighting and drought for over two decades. After 9/11, the city has once again become the center of the Taliban activities (as alleged). Mullah Omar, supreme leader of the Talibans and Mullah Dadullah, who was killed in May 2007, were regular visitors to the city. But President Musharraf earlier and President Zardari Presently rejected all these reports saying that Pakistan’s military and civilian leaders publicly deny any government ties to militant groups. The President had claimed that American CIA and ISI jointly operated in Quetta and during their presence; it is not possible for the Talibans to make the city their safe heaven. Later the American officials agreed that there is no concrete proof of presence of Mullah Omar or the Talibans in Quetta. They further said that it is unlikely that top officials in Islamabad are coordinating the clandestine efforts. However, Chinese activities in Gwadar have made some discomfort in Washington. Geo-strategically and economically speaking, Balochistan is a very important province of Pakistan. It commands vast natural resources in its soil and its surrounding areas, Afghanistan and Central Asian countries are also rich in natural resources. But many of these countries are landlocked and Balochistan is their route to the sea and the world. Now keeping in mind the economic and strategic significance of Balochistan, the proposed drone attacks on Quetta will be a threat to the strategic interests of not only Pakistan but also of other players particularly the United States of America.

America is interested in the Balochistan’s oil and gas reserves and wants to establish its influence in the province just to take benefits when the resources would come into utilization and these resources will help America fight the economic set back, which it is experiencing presently. In addition, America has concerns about Iranian influence over the Baloch tribes. America wants to reduce this influence because in case of any action against Iran, it does not face hard resistance from Balochistan. According to some in house moles, in order to reduce the Iranian influence in Balochistan, America is funding anti-Shia groups like the Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in Balochistan. This is true that by creating unrest in Balochistan, America will be able to counter Chinese presence in Gwadar as it does not want China to be anywhere near its military bases in the Gulf area but the point to ponder here is that even if somehow America succeeds in achieving the above-mentioned aims by creating unrest in Balochistan i.e. by carrying out drone attacks, the repercussions will be so severe that it won’t be possible for America to handle them. For instance, people of Balochistan are already very enthusiastic that they will not care for the bloodshed but will fight the American intrusion with fidelity and courage. This means that as soon as America launches the Drone Attacks inside Balochistan, the anti-US sentiments will flare up and many reactionary groups will emerge. These reactionary groups will cause severe damage not only to the American war on terrorism but will also create civil war like problems for the government of Pakistan. The War on Terrorism will cross the boundaries of Afghanistan and America will soon loose its frontline state in the WOT i.e. Pakistan. And the major problem, which America will face, is that NATO supply trucks reach Afghanistan through Pakistan’s province of Balochistan. After the Drone attacks, the NATO supply line will not be safe and just like the economy of America, the WOT will face a ruthless blow. And this blow will be so rough that it might bring an end to the American super power and hegemony. Thus America needs to reconsider its choice of Drone attacks in Balochistan.
What the Americans can do is that they can provide Pakistan with concrete evidence about the whereabouts and activities of Talibans inside Balochistan. Pakistan is a responsible nation and is the frontline state in the war against terrorism. Islamabad once provided with evidence will act responsibly and will come up with affirmative results. This is a more constructive way of countering the terrorism threat rather than the destructive Drone attacks proposal. Moreover in the very beginning Pakistan proposed that the Turkhum-Shorawak border be fenced to control the Taliban infiltration inside Balochistan but at that time, Washington and Kabul both gave strong resistance. America needs to reconsider this option. Further, the system of Rahadari (permit) should be enforced, which means that any person who wants to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has to seek permission from both sides. This will help in keeping check on the people crossing the border. Last but not the least another important player in Balochistan-Afghanistan dilemma is India. In Feb. 2009, the American official, John Solecki, the head of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Quetta, was abducted about 8 a.m. as he and his driver, Syed Hashim were on their way to the United Nations’ local offices in Quetta. No one claimed the responsibility of this Hideous act but according to sources and investigations, this act was committed by BLA. It is a known truth that terrorist organizations like BLA is funded and trained by RAW. The recent course reveals that the innocent abducted UN official is being kept as a hostage in Afghanistan. So instead of bulldozing Pakistan government and maligning the name of Law Enforcing Agencies, the international community, specifically United States of America should nip the evil in the bud. Instead of launching Drone attacks on Quetta, America should compel India to give up its notorious desires in the region, only then the menace of terrorism can be eliminated.

There are many multiple problems in the social, economic and administrative setup of Balochistan. Balochistan has a history of conflicts and insurgencies with the stakes of the external players. The United States should not repeat the same mistakes that have led to billions of dollars being squandered in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tactful approach is required to fight the menace of Terrorism rather than opting for abrupt moves.

India’s Master Stroke and the Tsunami of BDR Mutiny by Momin Iftikhar

The mutiny among Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) during annual conclave of the Force, resulting into the death of over one hundred army officers, including the General Officer Commanding, has buffeted Bangladesh with a force nothing short of a tsunami.

The officers killed were not integral to the force, being on deputation from the Army for a fixed duration and as their bodies were disinterred from sewers and mass graves, the threat of a retributive backlash from the Army, as an institution, were not lost upon any one.
Killing of such a large number of officers in a mutiny, or for that matter even during war in a single day is unprecedented and the Bangladesh Army must be straining at the leash to get even with the perpetrators of this heinous crime. However such an option can only be exercised at grave peril to the national unity and its cost in terms of bloodshed is so much so as to impose sobering restrains on the hotheads to temper their impulse for revenge with reason and cool headedness. The country may have edged back from the precipice but young officers are chafing at the bit and the leadership obviously has to tread the situation with much caution, wisdom and restraint to cool off the impulse for self destruction.
The uprising is being attributed to a simmering unease and discontent among the BDR rank and file over the service conditions particularly pay and allowances and the command arrangements whereby the BDR troops were commanded by Army officers. But this premise is hardly rational. In every army there are inbuilt safety mechanisms to let out the pressures of grousing; Bangladesh Army being no exception. If the scenario for a large scale mutiny was building up, the inevitable straws in the wind would have given it away but the agencies in Bangladesh remained oblivious to the evolving threat. The manner in which the mutiny unfolded and the perpetrators escaped belies the presence of a foreign hand with long term objectives of ensuring mutual destruction of BDR and Bangladesh Army in a bloody internecine war which would have left no winners.
There is a growing body of opinion in Bangladesh which considers that India is behind this well planned rebellion “The killing mission was executed from the Indian intelligence headquarters through close monitoring,” Matiur Rahman Nizami, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh said while addressing a meeting of his party. “India pulled a master stroke by destroying the border guards and trying to weaken Bangladesh’s Army and national security,” he said claiming that the Indian media ran the news of the carnage citing Indian intelligence sources before the local television stations could cover the incident.
The patriotism and commitment of the Bangladesh Army and the BDR have persistently rankled India by thwarting the Indian dreams of seeing Bangladesh emerge as a vassal state in the aftermath of its cessation from Pakistan. Such wishful dreams however began to unravel rather early. Within three months, strong resentment marked the mutual relations between the Bangladesh and the Indian Armies, with the latter assuming the role of an occupational victor. A Manchester Guardian correspondent reported on 22 January 1972 that Bangladeshi Officers claimed that Indian troops carried out organized looting of the factories. More reports emerged that equipment and machinery were being removed from many industrial sites in Bangladesh; Indian claim being that the property being looted was Pakistani, not Bangladeshi and therefore its commandeering was justified. The situation was not helped by the poor discipline displayed by the Indian officers and soldiers who began to get increasingly involved in incidents of rape, robbery and looting. According to Daily Telegraph information, thirty-one Indian Army officers and men faced court martial for offences committed in Bangladesh, a poor reflection of the state of affairs in the Indian occupational army. Indian Government and Sheikh Mujeeb would have liked to delay the withdrawal of Indian Army but public resentment forced the same by March 72. The Indian dream of maintaining permanent military presence in Bangladesh, thus, met with an early and sordid end.
If there is no love lost between Indian and the Bangladeshi Army the relations between BSF and BDR have remained on the edge in the manner of sworn enemies at the best of times. BDR is the custodian of Bangladesh’s 4894 KM long border with India which runs along five Indian states including four in India’s troubled North East. Contentious claims over the enclaves caused by meandering boundary, construction of Indian defence works within 150 yards of the border, infiltration of agents under the cover of fire provided by the BSF, killing of innocent civilians by BSF, discharge of toxic industrial waste into Bangladeshi territory and firing on developmental works by Bangladesh inside its borders are the persistent irritants that keep BDR in an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with its Indian counterparts. It is a measure of the Indian trigger-happiness that the BSF has killed more than 700 and injured 800 Bangladeshis between January 1, 2000 and January 31, 2009. It is to BDR’s credit that it has stood its ground while responding to the hegemonic and offensive Indian tactics. It earned an abiding hatred of Indian military establishment when on April 18, 2001, 16 BSF jawans were shot by the BDR during a border skirmish.
India, through a master stroke, has landed a crippling blow on the working bonhomie that has traditionally bound Bangladesh Army and the BDR. It will take a long time to heal the wounds caused by the merciless slaughtering of scores of Army officers at the BDR headquarters and the Army leadership will have to maintain a level head to begin a process of healing Army’s wounded pride and espirt de corps. To avert a catastrophe-in-waiting it is essential to objectively identify the hands that made the execution of this conspiracy possible. It will also be appropriate for the Bangladeshi authorities to take notice of the slandering campaign in some leading Indian newspapers which call into question the institutional obedience and discipline of the Bangladesh Army and its paramilitary forces and their penetration by terrorist organizations. Disinformation campaign concerning the rampant corruption among the Army officers that became a source of friction with the BDR is in full swing as well to further deepen the chasm that has opened up among the sister organizations.
The eruption of violence at such a large scale in the Bangladesh Capital has left the two months old democratic regime highly vulnerable. These are troubled times and at a larger plane India is seeking to gain a foothold for its military presence in Bangladesh by accentuating the prevailing fears and rage within the incumbent Government and the Army. Indian Foreign Minister has already made offers of providing required funds to Bangladesh for the BDR and of whatever additional assistance is required by Bangladesh to normalize the situation. Indian media is also talking of the regional implications of the fallout from mutiny. With India raking trouble and the internal dissensions getting accentuated; to analysts the situation in Bangladesh is reminiscent of 1971.

Varun Gandhi Vows to cut heads of Muslims in India by Mamoona Ali Kazmi

True that instinct never changes. One cannot befriend venomous scorpions and snakes as they cannot be refrained from stinging. Likewise, Hindus in India keep same spiteful attitude towards Muslims and for that very reason the history of Hindu-Muslim relationship remained mar with distrust, revenge and hatred.

Being noxious towards Muslims, Hindus never let the culture of peace and harmony to take its roots in India. Muslims went out of the way to turn their cold relation into cordial with Hindus. For instance, King Akbar went to the extent of introducing a new religion with the name of Din- Akbari to reconcile with Hindus. Despite all such efforts the Hindus always remained hostile and vindictive towards Muslims. The Hindu leadership was hostile towards the idea of separation and after partition tried their best to undo it. Their efforts bore fruit in 1971 when they successfully separated the Eastern part of Pakistan from its Western part with the help of RAW. After the separation of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi delivered a speech at New Delhi Ground in which she mocked the Two Nations Theory by saying, “Today ‘WE’ have taken the revenge of the one thousand years’ slavery and the birth of Bangladesh is the death of Two Nations Theory.”
Varun Gandhi, the son of late Sanjay Gandhi and the grandson of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, went on a wild rant against Muslims during an election campaign rally in Uttar Pradesh on 17 March. He said, “India is only for the Hindus. Muslims have names that appear scary such as Karimullah and Rahimullah. They look dangerous. If one comes across them at night, he might get frightened. The need of the hour is to throw out all the Muslims to Pakistan”.
His inflammatory speeches and fanatical pro-Hindu stance proved that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations with separate and distinct religious, ideological, spiritual and philosophical identities. Thus, Quaid-e-Azam made a big favour to Muslims by creating a separate state for them and the creation of Pakistan was an absolute outcome of Hindus’ enmity and hatred towards Muslims.
The validity and authenticity of Two Nations Theory is confirmed by such speeches. Mr. Varun, in his extreme vitriol, threatened to kill and cut heads and hands of Muslims. Indian election commission assessed the communal remarks of Varun Gandhi and gave him a notice for violating the model code of conduct for election. However, Gandhi refused to apologize for his provocative speeches and said, “I am proud of my faith and not apologetic for it, I am a Gandhi, a Hindu and an Indian in equal measures.” During an election campaign rally held at Pilibhit he said, “If someone lifts a hand against Hindus or thinks they are weak and there is nobody behind them, then I swear on the (Bhagvad) Gita that I will cut off that hand.” He compared the Muslim politicians with Osama-Bin Ladan. Varun Gandhi’s speeches aggravated the already fragile situation of Uttar Pradesh in communal terms. In Uttar Pradesh, majority Hindu community is assaulting the Muslims and looting Muslim-owned businesses.
Muslims are the biggest minority of India, which faced Hindu enmity not only today but even before partition. For extremist Hindus it is virtuous to kill Muslims. The genocide of Muslims in Gujarat and the trend of implicating Muslims in each and every subversive activity has become the rule of the day. The violent Hindu philosophy has also seeped into the ranks and files of the Indian Army. Lt. Colonel Prohit is an example in this regard, who not only facilitated the blasts in Samjhota Express but also involved in many anti-Muslim activities in India.
In 1827, Raja Ram Mohan Roy established an organization with the name of Brahmo Samaj and insisted upon the Hindus to return to the period of Vedas. His successor Dayananda Sarasvati founded a Hindu extremist organization, Arya Samaj, and openly declared that India was for Hindus. About Muslims, it was said that they were aliens and invaders and should be expelled from India or forcefully converted into Hindus. Arya Samaj targeted prominent Muslim figures and Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and enhanced the anti-Muslim sentiments of Hindus. It promoted the idea of mother India and efforts were made to bring Afghanistan under the administration of India through Suddhi Movement.
In 1882, Arya Samaj raised the slogan of inviolability of cow and cow protection committees were made, which facilitated the anti-Muslim riots in whole India on this pretext. Arya Samaj started Suddhi movement to forcefully convert Muslims into Hinduism and encouraged the Hindu youth for violence against the Muslims. In 1883, a famous extremist Hindu Bal Ganga Dher Tilak started the Ganpati fair on the basis of Moharam procession. In Ganpati fair drums were beaten in front of the mosques in order to infuriate Muslims and than to get an excuse to start a backlash against them. Tilak declared Shivajee Marhata a ‘hero’. In the last quarter of the seventeenth century, Shivajee started with a mission of establishing Hindu Raj by eliminating Muslims and their rule. He offered peace talks to Afzal Khan, the General of King Aurangzeb, and then deceived him to death. Tilak gave the example of Shivajee to Hindu youngsters and raised anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiments among them and asked them to use all tricks against Muslims. He raised the slogan that India was exclusively for Hindus and spread the thinking of Shivajee among Hindus. He said, “If thieves (Muslims) break into your home (India) and you lack the power to throw them out, then lock them up and set the house on fire.” On the basis of this philosophy, last year the sole Muslim family of Malegaon was burnt alive when the head of the family was serving the country at the border.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Indian Great Game by Zaresh Khan

President George W. Bush on 2nd March 2006 said that:
“The United States is encouraging India to work directly with other nations that will benefit from India’s experience of building a multiethnic democracy that respects the rights of religious minorities. Afghanistan is one of those nations”

Afghanistan has a long history of outside powers using its rugged terrain as a chessboard for the “Great Game”. The Great Game has been revisited in Afghanistan and this time one of the chasing players is no other but the Champions of Democracy, India. There is no dearth of hint that India is a time-tested friend of Afghanistan. She welcomed the communist revolution in Kabul in 1978 and sided with Former Soviet Union and thus this good times friend of Afghanistan is equally responsible for the destruction of this very country. Indian influence, which started trailing in 1979, was entirely lost in Kabul in 1992 and during Taliban rule. The fall of Taliban regime and the return of Northern Alliance as a dominant partner in present government provided New Delhi an opportunity to regain the lost influence in the country. Since then, India is trying to dominate Afghanistan. In her bid to get a firm and lasting foothold in Post-Taliban era, India is leaving no stone unturned to perpetuate her presence there. Today India has more than 26 consulates in Afghanistan.

Indian strategy in Afghanistan

India is undertaking various welfare projects in Afghanistan. Here the point to ponder is why India is so desperate to have cordial relations with Afghanistan. It goes without saying that India has no legitimate role in Afghanistan but the dream to confront Pakistan. They are achieving this aim by provoking anti Pakistan sentiments among Afghan people. Apparently Indian intentions could be economic gains but the real objective remains to destabilize Pakistan. The Indian strategy in Afghanistan encircles Indian diplomatic missions in Afghanistan have a role in fomenting trouble in Pakistan’s tribal areas. Indian consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Heart and Mazar-e-Sharif and their embassy in Kabul are indulged in clandestine activities inside Pakistan in general and FATA and Balochistan in particular. The intelligence network in Afghanistan, which has been established by India, is fully operational. RAW operatives have established many training camps inside Afghanistan to aggravate the activities of Baloch nationals to such an extent that it takes the form of an insurgency. These training camps set up by RAW include the Afghan Military Base of Qushila Jadid, in southern Helmand province, and Panjshir valley, Khahak and Hassan Killies in western Nimroz province. New Delhi is encircling Islamabad with highly trained commandoes. She has deployed 143 highly trained commandoes in Afghanistan besides stationing of full-fledged team to train Afghan and Uzbek forces. This is in addition to the already deployed 254 Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) soldiers to provide security to Indian construction companies. India claims that these troops are there to protect Indian workers but in reality they are there to create unrest in Balochistan and FATA.

Effects on Balochistan

It is generally perceived that the deteriorated law and order situation in Balochistan, besides the other factors, is mainly due to the active involvement of the regional players in Afghanistan. As already known, the regional players and the allied intelligence agencies comprise of India (RAW), Afghan (RAAM) and so much so, reportedly US (CIA) and British (MI 6). The substantial evidences of the active involvement of these regional players in the affairs of Balochistan are, (one) Sequel to the Armed Forces’ operation in Dera Bugti and the adjoining Ferrari camp areas, in August 2006 most of the BLA outfits including Brahamdagh, Balaach and number of their commanders managed to escape to Afghanistan. There, in the various established places in Kabul, Kandahar, Lashkar Gah, Nimroz and Spin Boldak, near Chaman border, they were given extra ordinary treatment by the Afghan Government and their visits were reported in routine to the respective Indian consulates (RAW undercover officials) in Kabul and Kandahar, (Two) Further, in year 2006, the Afghan Intelligence Agency RAAM reportedly established an intelligence cell En Kishaf to work for Baloch nationalists. Nida Muhammad son of Haji Fida Muhammad headed the cell. The main task of the cell was to task and to train Baloch Nationalists fighting against Pakistan / security forces. (Three) After the incident of sudden death of Balaach, in 2008, the regional players tried to invest in Brahamdagh. Reportedly, on one hand the Brahamdagh was heavily pumped with the Indian money and on the other hand the Bugti miscreants were being financed in US dollars. (Four) In the last 2 years, Brahamdagh provided substantial money, funded by Indian RAW, to his designated commanders (operative in Kandahar and Nimroz) for purchase of weapons mainly from the Pashtuns belonging to various tribes like Barakzai, Adozai (Achakzai) and so forth. (Five) Significantly, these weapons / ammunition / explosives were managed for cross border transportation by the notorious Afghan Border Police and their commander Abdul Razzik, who is also Adozai (sub caste of Achakzai). This individual is said to be extremely anti Pakistan and also having lots of lust for money. He is also said to have established close contacts with number of RAW agents in Kandahar. (Six) Further, it was learnt that number of training camps were established and run in the adjacent areas of Spin Boldak for the Bugti miscreants mastering them in the art of exploding IEDs, target killing and other acts of sabotage. Notably, such trainings were imparted under the arrangements of Commander Razzik and some times also visited by the Indian / RAW officials. (Seven) Besides, Afghan / Indian concentration in Kandahar / Spin Boldak, at various posts on Afghan border, number of local people were recruited as RAAM agents. In a nutshell, the level of violence has exponentially increased in Pakistan as India has increased her footprint in Afghanistan. Indian presence in Afghanistan is one of the major external factors responsible for the havoc in Pakistan today. “Ambition is the grand enemy of peace”. This deteriorating situation is not only alarming for Pakistan but also its time for Afghanistan to stop acting as a henchman for New Delhi because Indian is in Kabul to serve its vested interests. And this expansionism desire of India will never let Afghanistan come out of the catastrophe and at the same time will never allow peace to survive in Pakistan.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Talibanization of India by A.Siddique

One of Egypt’s leading dailies ‘the Egyptian Gazette’ has recently published a thought provoking article titled ‘Hindu Talibans Enraged by Modern Women’.

The writer has underscored that whereas the focus remains on Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, primarily due to ingrained prejudice for their being Muslims, Talibanization, which has now become synonymous with extremism is increasingly becoming manifest in India’s supposedly progressive society. These Hindu extremists (Mahasabhai) who consider themselves above religious, moral or constitutional obligations are targeting progressive Indian woman through unrestrained violence. According to the paper, in Mangalore, situated in the Southern Indian State of Karnataka, these Hindu Taliban abducted a young Hindu girl who was traveling in a bus along with her Muslim college fellow and after committing gang rape left her for a lifelong torture of mental and physical agony. This is no isolated incident; the manner in which Christian minority of Karnataka is being agonized by the Hindu fascists has bared the activities of these Hindu fascists to the entire world. Commenting on the situation, the Indian Minister for Women and Child Development, Renuka Chaudhery has warned the Government regarding the growing trend of Talibanization in Karnataka; saying that Hindu fundamentalists are treating women with the same attitude that has become the hall mark of Afghan Taliban. A Hindu Taliban group Sri Ram Sena (SRS), based in Karnataka and professing to be the followers of Ram, routinely attacks women who smoke, drink or behave in a progressive manner. Without any remorse for their despicable activities, Sri Ram Sena claims to be the custodian of the Indian Culture. Daily the Hindu, a well known Indian paper has termed Sri Ram Sena as Hindu Taliban. Castigating the SRS for its activities against women, the paper has likened the Sena as a copy of the Afghan Taliban. Whereas weekly ‘Outlook’ , in a recent issue, has expressed grave concern over the fast spreading wave of Talibanization in Karnataka, declaring it a scourge for the Indian society and a major obstacle in the way of the Indian women empowerment. Renowned human rights activist, Barkha Singh, belonging to the Delhi Commission for Women, has strongly criticized SRS saying that for Indian Government, claiming to be the champion of Human Rights, this kind of extremism was out rightly shameful. “Our society is a victim of deep contradictions whereby our Government castigates Pakistan over Talibanization without ever explaining as to what is being done to control the fast spreading similar trend within India.’ She asks. Foreign Minister of the same ‘civilized’ country, Peranab Mukherjee, in a recent statement, while declaring Pakistan a failed State, has expressed his bewilderment as to whom should he talk to in Pakistan; sarcastically enquiring as to who who holds the reins of power; President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani or the Army. It is obvious that such kind of condescending statements reflect the state of affair obtaining in India. Two reasons stand out on that account. First, is the Indian failure in attempting to have Pakistan reduced to the status of a pariah state after the Mumbai terrorist attacks. FBI Director has endorsed the Interpol stance that Pakistan is extending full cooperation in investigating the attacks in contrast with Indian Government which has failed to share any kind of information. The scenario stands transformed since the early days following the attacks when Indian leaders were threatening Pakistan with aggression on the pretext of culpability. Such positive turn has materialized in the wake of period when vicious Indian propaganda had badly tainted Pakistan and surprisingly, now, it is India that is mired in a bog of its own making. It has become manifest to the world that much against the thrust of Indian propaganda. Pakistan is extending full cooperation in advancing the investigations. It has also becoming apparent to the world that the shroud of secrecy, shrewdly employed by India is an attempt to hide certain facts related to the Mumbai attacks from Interpol or FBI, while continuing to wrongly castigating Pakistan. Second, India’s enduring discomfiture is caused by global exposure of the disruptive role played by RAW in Swat and the salutary effect that ‘Swat Accord’ has had in calming the situation. India has no justification to express concern over Swat situation where parleys with Sufi Muhammad’s Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat have resulted into a peace accord. In this context even the US Secretary of State has accepted that according to Pakistan’s constitution Shariat Laws can be enforced anywhere in Pakistan and this is not something that could be related to Taliban. It is amazing though, that in contrast; Pranab Mukharjee has expressed his anguish over the Accord and is so upset over the developments that it has declared the ‘Peace Accord’ as Pakistan’s defeat. Consequently, a propaganda tirade has been unleashed that asserts that with the Accord in force, Swat would transcend into a safe haven for Taliban. Is the Indian propaganda a reflection of reality? Certainly not. Actually RAW has warned its masters that with the peace accord in place and militants sidelined its nefarious designs vis-à-vis Pakistan stand exposed. Every Intelligence Agency operating on the Pak-Afghan border is now aware of the role being played by RAW in training and arming the miscreants in Balochistan, FATA and Swat. This exposure has underscored Pakistan’s efforts to appraise the world of the obtaining ground realities. Indian hue and cry manifests that consummation and holding of the peace in Swat is a major victory for Pakistan and failure for RAW in equal measure. India hardly seems to be on its own in its attempts to weaken Pakistan. The international milieu is threatening to the Islamic world, whereby it is under assault from many quarters; offensive forces competing with one another to partake of its considerable assets. Pakistan remains the focus of such evil designs; a bulwark which if vanquished will open the way for colonizing the entire Muslim world. Pakistan is Islamic world’s first and only atomic power. God has blessed it with its bounties; supplementing its fertile lands and national resources is its ingenious and resourceful population base. This combination, if suitably harnessed can generate a capability of not only becoming a role model for the Muslim world in becoming the rallying point for thwarting conspiracies that seek disintegration of the Muslim world. It is a pity though that a lust for material gains and a drift away from the ideals and ideology of Pakistan has left our nation vulnerable to the evil designs of the inimical forces; confronting us with extreme dangers and problems of internal cohesion. US, Israel and India may have different objectives in different Muslim Countries, but for Pakistan there is a convergence of their diabolic designs. In the post Mumbai period the loud and pernicious rhetoric adopted by the Indian leaders, coupled with an overbearing and offensive attitude was a reflection of the deep animosity and malice harbored by them. This rhetoric was reminiscent of the yesteryear’s Hindu mindset which has been rejuvenated by the favorable regional and global milieu. The following excerpts adequately bring out this aspect: “We don’t need peace, we want war. It is our conviction that we shall see the realization of an “Akhand Bharat”; loaded with arrogance and fascist malevolence , these words comprise the opening of an interview that BJP leader L.K.Advani gave to a British journalist in 1993. When the journalist asked Advani if he would have still fought war with Pakistan had there been no Kashmir Issue, he replied, “Kashmir is just our excuse. We would have found another reason in its absence e.g. the assistance being provided to Sikh separatists; even if we are aware of the reality of who is actually supporting them”. When the same journalist asked him about human rights violations in Kashmir, Advani replied with great self assurance. “Even if we kill a thousand Kashmiris no eyebrows will be raised when it is claimed that we are killing only terrorists (freedom fighters). When the journalist pressed further that the ‘terrorists’ (freedom fighters) were small in numbers and largely the population was not affected by militancy, Advani brazenly replied “In case of involvement of common man in militancy we shall treat the entire population as terrorists and commence larger scale killings” It is pertinent to note that, under the same policy large scale killings of freedom fighters commenced in the nineties. According to confirmed reports by 31 Dec 2008, over one hundred thousand Kashmiris including women and children have been killed for demanding their genuine and universally acknowledged birth right of self determination. It remains a hard reality that Indians, with their atrocities and killing in Kashmir have added a new chapter in the ignominious history of repression barbarism and bloodshed on earth. The Indian propaganda campaign on Pakistan, encompassing electronic channels, radio and print media has acquired the proportions of a full scale assault. It was on display, expertly dovetailed into the evolving situation, during Mumbai terrorist strike. The aim of was to pin the blame for this gory drama on Pakistan in which it had no role. Such a reckless and fabricated response only goes to explain the limits to which India can go to castigate Pakistan for uncommitted crime of terrorism, which increasingly are becoming traceable to India’s indigenous dynamics. On all accounts Pakistan continues to rankle India and she has shown a persistent inclination for resorting to dangerous charades in order to cook up a casus belli against Pakistan. In this situation we need to ponder as a nation as to what should be our response in face of such evil designs.

Charter of national integration by Sajjad Shaukat

Every year, March 23 is celebrated by every Pakistani with a sense of greater satisfaction as it reminds us of the day when our forefathers passed a key resolution, demanding a separate state for the Muslims of India, where they could live in accordance with their own political and cultural values as a stable entity.

It was due to strong unity among the Muslims under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that within seven years Pakistan became a tangible reality. But unfortunately, that unity started declining and after passing through a number of crises from time to time since partition, the country have reached the stage of continuous internal and external threats which are not only worrying all the citizens, but are also putting the very integration of the state at stake. It is owing to lack of unity among our politicians and leaders that external opportunists have been exploiting the precarious situation of Pakistan in order to fulfill their anti-Pakistan agenda-to destabilise and even to disintegrate our country. These sinister goals of foreign elements can be gauged from a number of developments such as subversive acts in the tribal areas, separatism in Balochistan, US-Indian opposition to Swat peace agreement, Moreover, they intend to weaken the federation of Pakistan as nuclear assets of our country irk the eyes of our enemies. Particularly, American CIA, Indian RAW, and Israeli Mossad are in collusion to disintegrate Pakistan where they have been supporting perennial insurgency. In this respect, our civil and military leadership has repeatedly been saying directly or indirectly that there were "several enemies of the country" and "foreign hands involved in the acts of terrorism". On August 4, 2007, the former President Musharraf remarked that India was behind the unrest in Balochistan, providing with arms and material support to those involved in violence in the province. As a matter of fact, there is a co-relationship of our internal and external crises which are part of a plot. Regrettably, most of our regional and national parties, divided on sectarian and ethnic lines have been manipulating the ongoing phenomenon of terrorism, economic dilemma and political mess not only against one another but also against the state as they do not care for the integration of the country. Indirectly, their acts of commission support the external enemies of Pakistan. This selfish attitude is blocking the path of national unity. In this regard, some days before, the crisis deepened between President Zardari and the PML-N when latter's leader, Nawaz Sharif started a Long March from Lahore Islamabad in wake of a series of protests to favour the cause of lawyers that had threatened to bring turmoil to Pakistan till the restoration of the sacked Chief Justice of Supreme Court, Iftikhar Chaudhry in accordance with the Charter of Democracy as the government was unwillingly to accept the demands. Jamaat-i-Islami and Tehrik-e-Insaaf, including some other organisations also joined the protest rallies. As both the opposite political forces were adamant on their stands, taking cognizance of the drastic situation which could lead to civil war in the country at this critical juncture, Pakistan's army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani played a positive role of reconciliation. He held meetings with President Zardari and Prime Minister Gillani. And ultimately, he succeeded in resolving the crisis amicably. Pakistan government agreed to reinstate Iftikhar Chaudhry as chief justice and Nawaz Sharif called off the long march in response. However, reconciliatory role of Kayani has greatly been appreciated inside and outside the country. General Kayani did not repeat the history. Notably, he had clearly explained on March 6, 2008 in a meeting of the corps commanders that "the army would stay out of the political process", and reaffirmed the army's "commitment to the integrity of Pakistan" which could be "possible with the full support of People". Nonetheless, his impartial mediatory role has proved that he has no political designs because he pays a greater attention to the integration of Pakistan. It is notable that since its existence, Pakistan has been facing ethnic, linguistic and communal problems. A blind dedication to one's own race, tribe and creed creates hatred in one group against the other, which ends in violence. Economic injustices further worsen the situation as our society is extremely divided into rich and poor classes. Regional and provincial political leaders who exploit these disparities at the cost of federation have hindered the path of national integration. Besides other issues like Kalabagh Dam which could be resolved through mutual negotiations according to the constitution, a prolonged controversy over the reinstatement of the sacked judges might be noted as an example in this respect. Concentration of wealth in few hands has created a privileged class of landowners and industrialists who contest elections against each other again and again. By dominating the political parties, they have dominated the politics of the country and have always sacrificed national interests for their personal and selfish gains. Thus they forget the real aim of public mandate to resolve the economic and social problems - the factors which cause frustration among the people. Formation of alliances and counter alliances, based upon the principle of hostility for the sake of hostility shows that our leaders are themselves responsible for lack of national cohesion among various segments of society. In fact, fault can not be laid on the general masses, majority of whom is illiterate. They are swayed by emotions and stereotypes, created by provincial and national leaders who keep on exploiting any crisis for their own self-interest. It is in dire need of national integration. Such integration is not possible unless our elected rulers and the opposition leaders pledge to sign a charter of integration which is very essential to pull the country out of the ongoing multiple crises. The ongoing adverse circumstances have enveloped the country from all sides, either we gauge in political or economic terms. Drastic implications of the situation cannot be grasped by the general masses at large, who abruptly change their opinion without reason. Hence, they become easy prey to the internal exploiters, unintentionally benefiting the external conspirators who want to weaken Pakistan by creating a rift between our general masses led by politicians on one hand and the security forces on the other. Apart from it, foreign agents misguide the disgruntled elements that national institutions are not made to develop the backward areas and policies formulated at Islamabad are not congenial to other provinces except Punjab. All this requires that in the new charter of democracy, our all political leaders must vow to guide the common men to right direction which moves towards national unity. They should not only show the passions of tolerance and cool-mindedness in themselves, but also create the same among the people. The charter of national integration is necessary for the survival of Pakistan as well as for the political leaders themselves. It has become exigency of the hour as at present, even a layman can note that our country is in chaos and it seems as if there is a "war of all against all" in the sense of 4Hobbesian state of nature'. Now the day of 23rd March demands sacrifices of individual and collective selfish interests from the citizen and politician of every province including every religious and political organization for the national integration of Pakistan. There must be a selfless national unity among the general public, politicians and the security forces in order to cope with the anti-Pakistan conspiracy.

Indian infringement over Nepal border Area

Kashmir Watch, March 17
By Ishaal Zehra

THE history of demarcation of India-Nepal border began on March 4th, 1816, after the signing of the “Sugauli Treaty” between the then British India and the state of Nepal, which declares River Mahakali, of Nepal, as the border-line between both the countries. The Treaty was expected to resolve the border issues, but it did not. Even after such a long time, the dispute regarding the border and the no-man’s land area is being ensued now and then in different areas of Nepali border. The reason for the continuation of such dispute is that the rivers, counted on as border, diverged from their courses several times in the past. Interestingly, 595 Km of the border is defined by rivers. Mechi in the East, Mahakali in the West and Naryani in the Susta area, and the unavailability of old maps and documents to revise demarcations has made the situation more significant. The Central government of India deputed its Para-military security guards of special services bureau (Shastra Seema Bal) along the border where as to counter guard the Nepali side of border-line, presence of Nepali security is almost nil!. Taking advantage of the ignorant attitude of Nepalese towards border guard, India started encroachment of the border land. She has said to encroach over 60,000 hectares in 21 of the bordering districts, by now. There has been a lot of hue and cry over the encroachment by Nepali people which unfortunately never fell on the deaf ears of the giant called India.
India surrounds Nepal from the East, West and South. There is a 1,808 km long border between Nepal and India, where 26 districts of Nepal adjoin Indian Territory, marking 54 areas of disputes altogether where the main ones include Kalapani- Limpiyahura, Susta, Mechi and Tanakpur. There is often found an opportunistic overtone in both countries regarding the ownership of such disputed border points. Hence, to resolve the issue, an India-Nepal Joint Technical Level Boundary Committee has been set up in motion which is still to find a reasonable solution for this false encroachment issue.
The encroachment by India started right after the Indo-Sino border war of November 1962. After facing defeat the Indian army set-up a camp inside Nepali’s territory at Kalapani to monitor the Chinese activities. But now they claim that the area belongs to them. However, reports prepared by Buddhi Narayan Shrestha, former director general of the Department of Survey Nepal, corroborates that the maps of 1850 and 1856 prepared by the Survey of India with the participation of Nepalese authority clearly states that the river originates from Limpiyadhura, 16 km North-West of Kalapani, which proves that Kalapani belongs to Nepal. But India refuses to accept those maps as proof. They say that the map prepared by them in 1875 should be considered as proof which shows river Mahakali origin is beyond Kalapani. Interestingly, the said map does not have Nepal’s certification.
The other disputed area situated in the East of Naryani River, is the Susta area, which is the tensest area owing to encroachment. Some time ago, over one thousand Indian villagers backed by Indian border police force (SSB) had forcibly entered the Nepali territory in Susta. They completely destroyed sugarcane in about ten hectares of land and also manhandled men and women. Where the locals of Susta complain such incidents are rampant in the area. The main reason behind the dispute is the changing course of Naryani River, over the past decades. The river has said to change its course towards the Nepalese side in the West. India has encroached about 14,000 hectares of the reclaimed land because of this. The intrusion happened in stages over a period of 73 years. Considering the situation, the people of Nepal had launched a “save Susta campaign”. The organizers requested students of Nepal to join them and launch a valley wide campaign from Nepal’s capital Katmandu. The purpose of the campaign was to inform the world about the wicked plans of her “polite” neighbor India. Actually the reason to start off the border dispute at Susta side is that Susta is surrounded by Indian Territory on three sides -the North, South and East, and on the West it is the Naryani River. Hence, cutting off Susta from its mother land becomes much easier for India to occupy it which will pave her closer to the “Greater India” dream of Hindus.
The other most talked about point of dispute is Mechi. India’s disapproval of “Junge pillers” as the main boundary pillars has sparked the Mechi border dispute. The map published by the British India right after the Sauguli Treaty clearly indicates those pillars to be the main boundary pillars. Even history is evident that British had erected those pillars as monuments of Nepal-India border. But the credit goes to the Indian desire of getting control over weak and tiny neighbours which made her to incite the dispute by denying the original Sauguli Treaty signed by the British and the Nepal Kingdom.
According to the official records, Nepal covers a total area of 147,181 Sq Km. But in reality, the territory of Nepal is gradually shrinking because of the increasing encroachment by India. The Maoists Young Communist league (YCl) once submitted a memorandum to the Indian embassy Katmandu, demanding immediate return of the encroached land by the Indians in Susta area but later the political havoc in Nepal made everything go vanish for some time. They demanded that scientific demarcation of the border land must be done as per historical maps, the encroached territories should be given back to Nepal and the bilateral bordering area should be regulated. The district level of Nepal and India earlier agreed not to allow the use of encroached land for any purpose and put the issue at the central level for the resolution of the problem. But despite the agreement Indian farmer have been cultivating in the disputed area. More than 125 Bighas of Nepali land has been encroached by Indian farmers in year 2007 alone.
The Nepal-India joint Technical level Boundary Committee has supposed to have completed 98% of the task of strip-mapping the border, as per 1874 Persian map adopted by the committee. According to them all the disputes, except Susta and Kalapani, have been resolved. But when the border is traced in the field, many instances of encroachment are found. The unwisely decision of Nepalese side of accepting the Persian map as the basis of demarcation has made them deprived of 1630 hectares of their own land, which now lies in Indian territory. The border committee somehow, could not act the way it ought to. It failed to take firm decisions regarding border disputes at several places, such as the presence of Indian Paramilitary force in Kalapani since 1962.
The amusing part is that India ignoring all her regional disputes is always eager to malign Pakistan by making her a part of every Indian dispute (with whom so ever it may be). And her practice is same even in this land dispute problem. Propaganda against Pakistan is the main instrument of Indian Intelligence. Exposing Indian hegemonic designs, Nepali media says that although India grumbles a lot of the India-Nepal open border being misused by the ISI, it is actually India’s own intelligence agency which is blatantly exploiting the open border. Today every tom, dick and Harry knows that the Terai agitation was actually fueled by India. Earlier when Nepal was a kingdom, India used to supply arms and ammunition to the warring fractions of the Terai and gave safe sanctuary to its leaders, as exposed by a visiting team of United Nation Mission in Nepal (UNMN). The Research and Analysis Wing of Indian Intelligence (RAW) is active in Nepal for the last 40 years, earlier it was only the Intelligence Bureau (IB), operating from there. Experts say that due to open border and special relations with India and Indian association in political changes in 1950, 1990 and 2006, it has become easy for RAW to perform disguised role in Nepal. Raw is not only involved in creating instability and disturbing peace in the Asian region but its name is also associated with terrorism.
India has many interests in Nepal to fulfill which it has gradually made her strong political, diplomatic, economical and cultural influence there, all due to RAW’s efforts. Her main strategy is to keep Nepal instable and always dependent towards India. In this regard, she has supported arms to the establishment as well as anti-establishment groups in Nepal, according to the former Prime Minister BP Koirala’s biography. The untrustworthy nature of India is evident from the past. She has a history for formulating efforts on multiple fronts to weaken the already fragile country to facilitate its swallowing. It is high time when all the Nepalese, currently divided among various political affiliations, should come together against the onslaught, instigated by India, in Nepalese territory and understand the game-plan of their so-called considerate neighbors. And India also should realize that the flame she has ignited in Nepal can very well extend to its own northern flank and the unstable southern part as well.
Posted on 17 Mar 2009 by Webmaster

Friday, March 20, 2009

Indian Approach by Sajjad Shaukat

Since Mumbai mayhem of November 26, several anti-Pakistan stories have appeared in the Indian media. An article published in the Indian Defence Review, Jan-Mar 09 (Online Edition) under the caption Stable Pakistan not in India's Interest went unnoticed in our country.

While taking cognisance of the ongoing unrest in Pakistan, issue of Kashmir, Afghanistan etc., the Review suggested the disintegration of Pakistan as it could better serve Indian interest in the region. In this context, while opposing the Two-Nation Theory and creation of Pakistan, it blamed that in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK): "Pakistan and Bangladesh exported their fundamentalist populations in their interest." It pointed out: "The ugly separatist face of the agitation in the Valley today is the consequence of the dereliction of the fundamental duty by the Union." In this connection, the article encouraged Hindu religious forces at the cost of secular character of India.

Nevertheless, this analysis cannot be seen in isolation as it reflects admission of New Delhi that insurgency in Pakistan's tribal areas, separatism in Balochistan including a number of subversive acts such as suicide attacks, sectarian violence, bomb blasts, etc have continuously been sponsored and supported by the Indian intelligence agency, RAW - from Indian terrorist training camps and foreign offices located in Afghanistan. In this respect, some civil and military high officials of our country have repeatedly stated that India is not only backing BLA in Balochistan, but is also creating lawlessness in other cities of Pakistan.

Indian anti-Pakistan plan has also been endorsed by a 72-page dossier handed over to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by the Indian government in the aftermath of the Mumbai carnage. The dossier, titled War On Terror: The Agenda for Action, advised New Delhi to "exploit the divisions within Pakistan and expose its weaknesses in Balochistan, FATA and Azad Kashmir," including building of pressure on Islamabad especially by the US.

Surprisingly, while weakening Pakistan as part of its unfinished agenda, New Delhi even does not realise the fact that non-state actors, popularly called militants have connections with each other from Kabul to New Delhi including Central Asian Republics.
In fact, by taking advantage of War On Terror, RAW has become pro-active to arrange any terrorist event in Pakistan or India with the help of Indian homegrown terrorists and then to manipulate the same against Islamabad. This exploitation also entails every such militant attack which is being conducted by the freedom fighters either in Afghanistan or Kashmir.
International politics displays that creation of turmoil in any country influences all countries of a particular region. Past and present history of the Balkan gives ample evidence that insurgency and separatism in one country can have a drastic impact on other neighbouring states. For example, World War I was initially a local issue between the two tiny states, but very soon, it enveloped the major European states including the US, Japan and Turkey. Similarly civil war in Somalia has been affecting all states of the area.
By ignoring the real causes behind the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Lahore coupled with wars of liberation in Afghanistan and the IHK, Indian rulers have been acting upon a self-destructive approach by destabilising Pakistan.

Such a negative strategy will badly affect India where more than six states are facing separatist movements. So disintegration of Pakistan as proposed by the Indian Defence Review will disintegrate the artificial union of India itself. And it will also bring about a chain of reaction in other Asian countries.

The writer is a foreign affairs analyst.E-mail: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

Miliband’s Misperceptions of Terrorism by Sajjad Shaukat

An article, “Incubator of Terrorism”, by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband as published by some newspaper on February 26, 2009 shows his misperceptions and self-contradictions.

An article, “Incubator of Terrorism”, by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband as published by some newspaper on February 26, 2009 shows his misperceptions and self-contradictions. While endorsing US President Barack Obama’s policy of focusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan’s tribal areas as the main battlegrounds of war on terror, despite its failure to cope with the Taliban insurgency, Miliband wrote: “We welcome President Obama’s decision to deploy further 17,000 troops to Afghanistan. The threat of terrorist attack on our soil remains real. Afghanistan was terrorism’s incubator of choice in the 1990s and its borders with Pakistan remains so today. Al Qaeda is still hiding on these borders, co-opting the Taliban and tribesmen.” He explained, “I went to the Khyber Pass. The ease with which insurgents can move across the border is a massive problem. American determination to look at Afghanistan and Pakistan together is a great step forward. With intimate connections between the insurgency in Kunar and the militancy in Waziristan, between the criminals, spoilers and terrorists in Lashkar Gah and Quetta, in Peshawar and Nangahar, Afghanistan can never be safe unless the Pakistani government successfully addresses the militancy in Pakistan.” Miliband further revealed, “Out of the loss of life to terrorism in Pakistan, the danger of spreading Talibanisation is emerging a growing acceptance within Pakistan…We need to support the elected government and its military forces in rooting out the extremism on its soil” through a joint approach. He maintained, “But as we have long argued, there is no purely military solution to the insurgency…Defeating the insurgency means understanding it, being clearer about the forms it takes. Our strategy is to help the Afghan government divide the insurgency, and co-opt those prepared to renounce Al-Qaeda, give up violence. Then of course there are the more extreme elements which are prepared to fight to the bitter end. For these groups, the only response is the power of force…Afghanistan is a test of the resolve of NATO” and its unity. However, this is “the only way to build a safe and secure Afghanistan.” It is notable that David Miliband also expressed these views from time to time. For example, on November 25, 2008, he said during an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, “We’ve got a very strong interest in the security of Afghanistan. If Afghanistan again becomes an incubator for international terrorism, we will all suffer the consequences.” It is of particular attention that sending a strong message to Pakistan and Afghanistan, President Obama on Feb25 this year pointed out that terrorists will not be allowed to plot against the US from safe havens. At the same time, he also pledged to forge a US comprehensive strategy with Afghanistan and Pakistan to defeat Al-Qaeda. Recently, US-led western countries have been emphasising economic aid of both Islamabad and Kabul, opposing Pakistan’s peace deals in Swat, while insisting to continue military operations in the tribal areas without bothering for any internal backlash which our country along with Afghanistan has already been facing in terms of multiple crises, threatening the very integration of the state. Obama who was expected to reverse the Bush policy of war on terror due to its failure as noted in Afghanistan and Pakistan is likely to make the same as part of his new strategy. UK is also going to follow the US new administration in this regard as expressed by its Foreign Secretary Miliband. Like Obama, Miliband’s misperceptions can be judged from his paradox that on the one hand, he wants to see a stable Afghanistan and Pakistan, becoming prosperous in the leadership of the elected governments by following power factor against the Al Qaeda related militancy, ensuring that there is no safe-havens which in turn can also endanger the security of America and Europe, while on the other, for the last seven years, these major powers are themselves creating instability in these countries by a perennial air bombardment and ground shelling. In case of Pakistan drone attacks have intensified. Every day innocent people are being killed sometimes in Afghanistan and sometimes in Pakistan’s FATA regions. Rise of Talibanisation coupled with continued ambush attacks, suicide missions and events of kidnappings in both the neighbouring countries gives clear evidence regarding a failed strategy pursued by the US-led NATO forces. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Gilani, Chief of Army Staff Gen. Kiyani and ISPR spokesman Abbas have repeatedly made it clear during various US visiting civilian and military high officials that excessive use of force or attacks by American predators is counter-productive. And it has resulted in more instability and terrorism including resentment in the country against America and other European states. It is also true in case of Afghanistan. In the recent past, Afghan President, Hamid Karzi, while condemning the killing of civilians by the coalition troops, held NATO forces responsible for an increase in insecurity and subversive acts of the Taliban. He also offered a truce to Taliban and pledged general pardon. Quite contrarily, Americans oppose Pak tribal peace deals. Nevertheless, by grasping ground realties, Miliband should know the real reasons which can, in fact, indicate the global incubator of terrorism. In this connection, since 9/11, terrorism has become an interaction of state terrorism led by the US-supported forces and group terrorism by the non-state actors. Every day, general masses of Islamic countries in various TV channels watch massacre of innocent people by the NATO military troops in Afghanistan. Similar pattern of Indo-Israeli state terrorism keeps on going in the occupied territories of Kashmir and Palestine. While, drone attacks on Pakistan’s tribal areas is a new precedent of US cross-border terrorism. It is owing to these reasons that even moderates are joining the extremism as a prolonged conflict displays. Nonetheless, state terrorism is itself the incubator of terrorism. While detecting the real incubator of terrorism, Miliband must keep it in mind that since partition, suppression of Kashmiri’s struggle for independence and ignorance of their legitimate right of self-determination are the root cause of terrorism in South Asia. In 1989, after facing a long period of Indian state terrorism, Kashmiris launched an armed movement which also gave incentive to the Taliban whose country was occupied by the US-led foreign forces in 2001. Even at present, a perennial movement of Kashmiri people is giving a greater impetus to the insurgency both in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s tribal regions. In this context, reply provided by Islamabad to Indian dossier recently, after admission in relation to Ajmal Kasab and arrest of some suspects both in India and Pakistan show that there are links among the non-state actors in respect of the Mumbai carnage of November 26 and Kashmiri freedom fighters. These connections were also verified by Indian Gujrat Chief Minister Narendra Singh Modi and the Mumbai police chief Hassan Ghafoor. Nevertheless, earlier, during his trip to India, British Secretary of State Miliband had rightly assessed that peace and stability in South Asia were directly linked to the solution of Kashmir. Like previous statements of Obama, Miliband had detected the incubator of terrorism in Kashmir, but he has totally changed his views along with the US new president. India wants to fight Kashmir war in Afghanistan so as to get a favourable bargaining leverage over Islamabad on all the disputes. In this respect, British Foreign Secretary Miliband wants to maintain Indian hold inside Afghanistan in order to weaken Pakistan’s FATA and Balochistan as Indian secret agency, RAW has been continuously supporting insurgency in Pakistan’s volatile regions which have been mentioned by Miliband in his article. As a matter of fact collective strategy of India, UK and US seems to keep the present conflict going on as long as possible so that they continue to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan to fulfill their covert goals against Pakistan and China. In the aftermath of 9/11, a majority of western political experts had agreed that besides unresolved issues between the sovereign states, poverty is also the foremost reason of terrorism. But new brand of militancy cannot be fought on two fronts by elimination of poverty through economic aid and employment of force as envisaged by the ex-president Bush. Now, while deducing no lessons from the Bush’s flawed strategy, under the leadership of President Obama, Miliband again intends to combat militancy by the two opposite fronts. Returning to our earlier discussion, David Miliband needs to abandon his misperceptions of terrorism by taking cognizance of the fact that security is a two-way traffic. West’s security cannot be achieved by making Pakistanis, Afghans, Kashmiris and Palestinians insecure.
He writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations