What Abu Dujana's encounter should teach Pakistan
Among the most-wanted terrorists who survived in Kashmir for nearly seven years, with a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his name, Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Abu Dujana from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Gilgit-Baltistan was recently killed following a joint operation in the Valley. He was responsible for the death of more than 20 army personnel, including two officers.
He was the latest in the list of the most-wanted terrorists. His elimination sends many signals about the current state of the Valley and the future of terrorism in the region.
For the Indian Army, Dujana’s death was a major success. He had evaded cordons on many occasions. Once trapped, he knew that this time there was no getting away. A militant becomes confident with the passage of time and invariably begins to commit errors, eventually coming under the scanner.
Once this happens, intelligence agencies begin mapping the militants’ movements and when the situation is ripe, trap him/her. This is exactly what happened. In the end, prior to the final encounter, the officer leading the operation spoke to Abu Dujana on the phone, asking him to surrender.
The audio of their conversation, released by the Army once Dujana’s elimination was imminent, showed a different side to the armed forces.
It showed the compassion and courage of the officer as he asked Dujana to surrender, before launching the final operation.
The Lashkar chief refused the offer stating that this was not possible as his handlers would never let it happen. During his conversation, Dujana conceded that he was from Pakistan. Later, when India asked the Pakistan High commission to accept the body, they refused. This action of Pakistan is not new — the Islamabad government refuses to accept bodies of dead soldiers, and Dujana was just cannon fodder.
He also stated that it was Pakistan that was playing games in the Valley and taking local Kashmiris for a ride.
For the youth from Pakistan being enticed to join the militancy, the message is clear: entry to the Valley is on a one-way ticket. You can never go back and even if you die, it will not matter — your family will never know where your remains are.
Those being culled at the border, as they seek to infiltrate, remain nameless as do the scores killed during surgical strikes.
Whether you are paid or not, you just have to survive for as long as you can. This message should be part of psychological operations that Indian intelligence agencies should launch.
For the youth, including locals who have joined the rung of militancy, the message is: those who pick the gun, die by it.
You may hide for a few days or even months, ultimately you will meet your maker. Redeem and surrender, at least you will witness another sunrise. Every militant makes mistakes and the security forces need them to make just one, which would signal his/her elimination.
The youth who support militants and seek to protect them from security forces, should realise that no action of theirs can prevent their elimination. They lose lives seeking to protect those who have decided to become cannon fodder. It is of no use as the militants may be saved once or twice, but ultimately, they will be culled.
The security forces are too powerful to be cowed down by stone throwing and other distractions. They avoid civilian casualties, but if essential, would risk it to achieve their aim.
The last few months have borne witness to this fact.
Indians across the nation should listen to Dujana’s conversation with the officer to understand the compassion shown by the Army when the officer spoke to a terrorist, requesting him to surrender.
During the call, the officer also asked Abu Dujana to speak about Pakistan’s intentions and help end the bloodshed in the Valley. This was genuine concern for the local Kashmiris, which flowed from the officer as against anger shown by misguided youth towards them.
It indicated no malice towards those who remain misguided. It was only to avoid bloodshed that Major Leetul Gogoi acted the way he did and he was castigated by human rights’ activists.
I wonder what they say now. India, the Army you trust is proving to you that despite casualties, it is turning the tide and bringing in normalcy at a rapid pace.
For Pakistan, send in whomever you wish, they would all be culled. It is a matter of time. Most cannot enter, the few who do, can never return and would be eliminated; hence normalcy is on its way in the Valley.
Rhetoric apart, terror groups based in Pakistan supported by the deep state are now losing control in Kashmir, as also witnessing the militants they dispatch being eliminated.
Dujana’s death was also a message that the situation is fast returning to normal and the Centre and the state should now be ready to get their act together to implement their plans for resolving the Kashmir crisis — to usher in development and employment, the two most essential ingredients to remove anger.
For troops engaged in fighting the insurgency, the nation salutes you for your bravado, compassion and care — despite the odds you face.
Also read: Why Dujana exposé has not really exposed Pakistan