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Army in Kashmir: Performing the balancing act
Keeping Kashmir in check is one the most unenviable jobs on Earth. And the task has fallen into the lap of the Indian Army. Faced with a dilemma of maintaining a humane face for the citizen and that of a foe for the militant, the Army has to continuously vigilant of its actions. Naseer Ahmed, who has been following the years of insurgency in the Valley, takes stock of their performance.
"We have to be careful. Minimum force alone can be used in countering insurgency because most of the time you are dealing with your own people," says a senior army officer in Srinagar.
He also agrees that it is only recently that the Army is being given training courses for combating militancy. "We have been trained to shoot at the enemy while his position is clearly defined. Back here it is a dicey situation. You are in a war-like situation, but you cannot be seen resorting to war-like practices. That is the biggest challenge," admits another senior army officer.
Also, while the Army has been successful in controlling militancy at what is technically called `a manageable level`, making a disciplined soldier fight in a civilian conditions is taking its toll.
False and true accusations of human rights violations, dealing with unarmed
civilians at each step of trying to weed out the militant, coming into
direct contact with women and children who form a large proportion of the
local population, having to resort to tact and firmness without giving an
impression of the brute force, which is necessary to deal with a
hardened militant, are no ordinary challenges. Plus, there
are aberrations that have to be dealt so that there is no blemish on its reputation.
It is not that those transgressing limits have not been punished; stringent Army laws ensure that. But it is the odd violation that sullies the reputation. The phenomenon of an odd soldier losing his patience is new to the Indian army. This
is because, it is only in the last decade or two have the armed forces had to step in to contain a civilian situation, which is essentially a police job.
Another factor unique to the Kashmir policing, is the high media glare. A small mistake can be turned into a mountain. There have also been cases of misreporting or mishandling of media due to erroneous policies of the Government.
Even during early years of militancy in the Valley, police had shied away from their job of maintaining law and order. The job had to be then entrusted with the Army. It had to also lend a helping hand to the dithering para-military forces In the process, it is the Army that has had to bear maximum brunt.
The number of jawans and officers killed while fighting local and foreign
militants has been higher than those killed in the two wars of 1965 and 1971
between India and Pakistan. If we assume that the Kargil incursions were a
part of the militant drama in Kashmir, then the casualties have been even
higher. Besides causing injures to a Major General, four brigadiers, twelve
colonels, thirty majors, hundred fifty commissioned officers, two hundred
ninety non-commissioned officers and five hundred jawans have paid the
supreme sacrifice while doing anti-militancy duties in Kashmir.
While fixing responsibilities for human rights violations, use of excessive
force, torture and extortion, the Army has court-marshalled as many as
hundred twenty jawans and officers at various levels. In most such cases,
the Army has lived up to its standards of dealing firmly with dereliction and
desertions during duties.
Clearly the price the Army has had to pay is high. The task, with all its complications, keeps the Army on its toes. There have been laurels. But also brickbats. There has also been pain and struggle.
Finally, each day has been a challenge. Each day the Army has risen to it.
Pictures courtesy : Mushtaq Ahmed