Pakistan and India traded fresh accusations of cross-border fire in Kashmir on Tuesday, a day after top officials discussed ways of de-escalating tensions over the disputed Himalayan region.
Lt. Col. Manish Mehta, an Indian army spokesman, said Pakistani soldiers fired mortars at Indian army positions and Indian soldiers “appropriately responded to the unprovoked cease-fire violations.” The Pakistani military said its troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian fire, which continued for two hours.
Tensions have soared between the two nuclear-armed rivals since a militant attack in Kashmir that killed 19 Indian soldiers. The mountainous region is divided between Indian and Pakistani-controlled zones, but both countries claim Kashmir in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.
India is now constructing underground bunkers along the Kashmir border as troops say cross-border gunfire in the region now occurs "every night". The work on the bunkers began after the militant attack on an Army base in Uri, Kashmir, an event that changed India's attitude towards neighbouring Pakistan.
The bolstering of fortifications along the Line of Control, shows India's level of preparedness to combat hostilities following its surgical strike on terrorist launchpads. Soldiers who slept in canvas tents, have built a series of stone and cement walled boxes, each measuring approximately six to ten feet. They provide cover, particularly at places where the border is slim due to the Himalayan valley. Troops from the 116th Infantry Brigade said exchange of fire at night are now more frequent, and intense. "They shoot every time they see us. They shoot on sight. If we see movement we shoot. We fire snap shots back. Every night they fire at us and we fire at them," they said.
Both the countries have been at headlocks, with India growing more wary of Pak's next move. As the situation grows grim in the disputed Valley region, it is also known that Indian generals are now calling upon the Centre to approve a sustained six-month campaign to destroy "terrorist infrastructure" on the Pakistani side of the border. A top Army official said, "We have to look at a sustained campaign. The terror network is on the back foot, but to really achieve something, we have to look at a medium-term plan, a six-month campaign. A one-off event will not deter them." Another report says generals believe they can possibly destroy 40 militant launch pads hosting over 200 troops, if they are given the go for the operation. "We have the opportunity right now. Everyone is geared up and we have a much stronger hold on LoC than the other side. This is the time to make an actual difference that will deter cross-border terror support," an official said.
Certain that the Uri attack on Indian soldiers, was conducted by Pakistan-based militants, India conducted a series of "surgical strikes" across the LoC last week, killing at least 38 terrorists. Almost in retaliation, yet another group of militants opened fire at another Indian Army camp in Kashmir's northern district of Baramulla. The latest attack resulted in the death of one border guard, and another getting severely injured.
As the common geographical grounds remains in conflict, Pakistan extended a hand of diplomacy, with Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit stressing on the importance of a dialogue between both countries before things get out of hand. Speaking in a media interview, Basit said, "It is important to avoid raising false expectations, as happened after the cross-LoC firing on September 29. We cannot afford to go down that route. Statements are made, but I think both countries do understand serious implications of escalating the situation either horizontally or vertically." He added that the if India was ready, Pakistan "will be willing. But if India is not, we can always wait. India has to make up its mind."
The official also said, "Both our countries understand war is not really a solution to our problems and there is simply no room for conflict in a nuclear environment." The statement is a reflection of Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made a provocative threat of nuking India if it raged war.
The international community has conveyed its sympathies towards India, taking a strong stand against terrorism. With its state of denial, Pakistan has over the years, more so in the recent past, built quite an image for itself. The European Parliament backed the strike with Vice President Ryszard Czarnecki saying India's cross border action against the terrorists should be "commended and supported by the international community." Russia "welcomed" the strikes saying every country had the right to defend itself.
Delhi CM questions authenticity of India's surgical strikes
Following suspicion raised by international media over India’s claim of carrying out “surgical strikes” against ‘militants’ in the Pakistani side of Kashmir, politicians across the border have now started questioning the authenticity of the incident. Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged Indian premier Narendra Modi to release evidence of the ‘strikes’ which are still shrouded in mystery. Pakistan has already ripped to shreds the farcical claim as an “illusion being deliberately generated by India to create false effects”.
Claiming that foreign media appears to be backing Pakistan’s claim, Kejrival, a stern critic of Modi, in a three-minute-long video message posted on his Facebook page, said: “My blood boils to see such reports. Pakistan is trying to internationally defame India [therefore] I appeal the prime minister… to expose the propaganda…The nation stands with you…”
Bollywood entangled in India-Pakistan tension
In light of the current hostilities the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) has banned Pakistani actors, singers and technicians from working on Indian movies. The association passed a resolution banning Pakistani actors and technicians in India until tempers cool and normalcy returns in ties between both countries. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a regional party in the western state of Maharashtra, issued a stern diktat asking Pakistani actors to leave India or face consequences.
Some Indian actors came out openly in support of Pakistani actors and musicians, arguing that politics and art should not be mixed up. Filmmaker Karan Johar minced no words when he pointed out that boycotting artists from the neighboring country was no solution to terrorism. His upcoming movie "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil," which stars Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, has been the target of protests by the MNS. Even superstar Salman Khan jumped into the fray.
Others like veteran actor Suresh Oberoi and film makers Mahesh Bhatt also emphasised that artists should not be treated like "terrorists."
Actor Fawad Khan, affected by this ban left for Pakistan and have rumoured to have spoken ill of India after this incident. Also in a tit for tat, Indian films have been banned in cinemas across Pakistan.
Indian community in the UK 'condemns' Pakistan
A new petition has been filed on the official website of the UK Parliament, calling on Britain to "strongly condemn" Pakistan for providing a safe haven for terrorists. The plea has already crossed the number of signatures required to make the government respond to it.
The petition (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/168107), that has reached 17,482 signatures as we went to press, has been authored by Naman Paropkari and reads, "Pakistan continues to double speak on the issue of terrorism. It has aided and abetted enemies of the international coalition against terrorism. Osama Bin Laden's hideout was in Pakistan. Pakistan continues to harbour UN sanctioned terror networks." Adding, "The Inter-Services Intelligence has often been accused of playing a role in major terrorist attacks across the world, including the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, terrorism in Kashmir, Indian Parliament Attack and Mumbai terror attacks." The aim is to gather over 100,000 signatures by March 29, 2017, so that the issue is considered for a parliamentary debate in the House of Commons.
Petition urging White House to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism shuts down
A petition urging Obama and the White House to declare Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, gathered over 135,000 signatures, pressuring the US administration to take a call on the issue. The petition put forward by the Indian-American community came at a time when ties between New Delhi and Islamabad could be seen going south. The plea cited HR 6069, a bill moved by two Congress members seeking to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, to argue that the matter is "important to the people of the United States of America, India, and many other countries which are continuously affected by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism." However, the White House has shut down the online petition after suspecting fraud. The website reads: “This petition has been archived because it did not meet the signature requirements. It can no longer be signed.”
