UNDERSTANDING KASHMIR
LT COL NOEL ELLIS
16/IX/2023
90 hours and we are still in hot pursuit with the Anantnag Operation. We have suffered more casualties. How and when will these Bs be sent six feet down under is a matter of time, but down shall they go. They do not know “kis se panga liya hai”.
They are well trained and in all probability be Afghani’s as they only give such a fight. Terrorists of Indian origin, who go across the LC, get trained and return are sissies, is well known.
These guys had been lying doggo after infiltrating and waiting for an opportune moment while stocking up supplies, arms, and ammunition, knowing the wrath they will face once the first shot is fired. It means they were communicating and we missed the chatter.
Our informer was actually their informer. A double crosser, nothing new. He was sent deliberately to draw our forces with specific information about their location but not their strength and capabilities.
They have engaged us here. Hope they don’t do something similar where things look peaceful. Let’s be careful. These guys are well prepared and ready to die, if they have not escaped already.
Any information the forces receive is taken very seriously. Many times, we return empty handed. At times, we get some other militant or group. Other times, searches have led to their caches & hideouts. We have picked up informers of these terrorists while on casual visits. It is all luck, unless a gun battle ensues and these guys get holed up in a specific area or house. Terrorists understand the terrain much better and use the jungle and the locals to their advantage.
When luck is on our side, without even firing a shot many of them have been apprehended. Many got caught with their pants down literally, nor did they have a chance to react. Ask the villager, why he allowed terrorists to sleep with his wife & daughters while he kept watch, smoking his hookah. He would point towards their guns. This is a reality.
Locals have always favoured terrorists and refused to divulge information to the forces. Things haven’t changed much. Sources are compromised. That is why we are suffering casualties. Sources cannot be trusted as far as military operations are concerned.
Commanders who claim that they know the area and its people well. I beg to differ. Battalions may stay but people get posted out. My source can never be yours, unless the source has pressing needs. For money and a promise of a Khushi life, you can recruit anyone to pass information.
I refuse to believe that we know the Kashmiri people well. The say, the village where our brave hearts got martyred, came out in support of the Armed forces holding ply cards. This is a smoke screen. Another opportunity and there would be another encounter at the same place. Forces have not won their hearts or minds. Politicians don’t want to win anything, except to keep their mare trotting for money.
I refuse to buy any argument that things have changed. Yes, they have but cosmetically. Deep within nothing has changed. Kashmiri Politicians siphoned off money and kept asking for more to keep hope alive. They have delivered nothing.
We the forces are the means and not the end. End of this turmoil has to be political. Ways, plan, means, tactics, approach, policies, strategies, finances, everything was changed in due course. The only thing that did not change is the mind set of the Kashmiri political class and its brainwashed people. They all have manipulated India and subsequent governments in Delhi for their own good. Even if things change, can our forces rest? For politicians, loss of lives is no priority it seems.
The actual disease is in the head and we are busy amputating the toe. Mosquitoes fly from a pond where they breed and we start fogging our home without addressing the place of germination of this insect called terrorist.
Our concept of dealing with Kashmir is flawed. The ‘tumour’ lies across LC. Unless we raise their costs, we will continue to get infected and affected.
Research papers are available in plenty on the role of Pakistan causing instability in Kashmir. We fail to act. What can that rogue state do? Retaliate! Counter attack! Strike back! My Foot! They are not in a condition to start their battle tanks as on date. They are being bitten by their own snakes and scorpions in their backyard which they tamed till now. We need to hit hard and soon. Let us do our job and politicians please do not shirk from your bread and butter, that is the people of Kashmir whom you represent.
Our forces know their job and understand that there would be losses. If political action or will is lacking, the forces will keep paying with their lives. ‘Kari Ninda’ has to be changed to ‘Thoss Upay’.
All my comrades in uniform, I pray for your well being. Dear Dhotiwalas, Babu jis and Media, have some mercy on us. Do these people really understand the problem in Kashmir? I wonder!!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
© ® NOEL ELLIS
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