Kashmir stands up PAKISTAN-SPONSORED TERRORISM
Political leaders in Kashmir have finally realized the abuses and violations by the Terrorist groups and the Separatist groups supporting them. Till sometime back these groups used to be called “freedom fighters”.
These blood thirsty rogues first promised AZADI to the ordinary Kashmiri and then turned their guns on the same Kashmiris to loot rape and murder. In J&K there was a greater political backing for the Terrorists than on their attacks on civilians, security personnel and the Army. However now things have changed drastically.
A candlelight march and angry voices against terrorism after the recent grenade attack shows that Kashmiris are no longer scared; they will not allow Kashmir to be an entertainment ground of Pakistan sponsored terrorist forces across the border.
Kashmiris have been subjected to immense suffering due to terrorism in the past three decades. There is not a single family that hasn’t lost a relative, or a dear friend to the turbulences fuelled by Pakistan.
They have endured to the extent that there are no tears left to cry. When one has nothing more to lose, fear evaporates. This incident has sparked a new passion for revolution in Kashmiris which will last until each Terrorist is slain.
Terrorists and separatists have been responsible for lists of bombings, shootings, and murders of civilians, tourists, and military personnel – the innocent victims added to the log of the collateral damage of the Kashmir Conflict. Till a few years back their files were collecting dust in the lethargic government offices but now the time has come for their pay back.
19-year old student, Rafiya Nazir, succumbed to her injuries during her treatment at the SMHS hospital and a 70-year old man died on spot in the crowded market area of Amira Kadal. The grenade also left 33 people, including a policeman injured. Only a month back Rafiya’s family celebrated her Class 12 examination result, a grand 94 per cent.
Her father, a carpet weaver, had drawn a loan of 1.5 lakhs for her medical examination coaching. She wanted to be a doctor, he said, she was the light of hope for us, for our family’s deteriorating financial and health conditions. At her funeral in Hazratbal, hundreds gathered, mourned, and wailed.
For the first time in three decades after the unfortunate death of two civilians due to a grenade attack in Srinagar, one of whom was a brilliant student looking at a bright future, Kashmiris have raised their voice against the crusaders of war on humanity and have sworn to take vengeance against the ones who have bloodied the soil and corrupted the young minds of Kashmir.
Srinagar witnessed its first candlelight protest against perpetrators of such violence who have debilitated the peaceful atmosphere of the land of Sufi Saints and kept it under siege of darkness. The streets of Lal Chowk swarmed with citizens of the state who staged a sit-in protest at the Clock Tower in unanimity against the terror attack. They raised slogans holding placards reading “Akhar Kab Tak?” (For How Long We Must Suffer?) The echo of “Save Youth, Save Kashmir” reverberated in the capital that evening.
Some carried the Tricolour high in the air displaying faith in the government. The demonstrators condemned the deaths of the innocents in great emotion and said that they wish for exemplary punishment for the offenders. Some lifted an admonitory finger on the live telecast and spoke of vengeance against the culprits.
It is not surprising that no terrorist outfit claimed responsibility for the attack as in the past when they would miss their target, they blamed it on the security agencies. This was the second grenade attack in Srinagar this year, after January 25th when four people were injured in Lal Chowk.
A protestor questioned, “Where are the Human Rights activists today? Where is Amnesty International?” Another came forward saying, “When international media highlights the killing of civilians by security forces in Kashmir, why stay mum when terrorists kill civilians? Or should we infer that it is acceptable for them when civilians are targeted?” A thought-provoking question was asked by one protestor, “Why isn’t there any statement from Amnesty International and other rights groups on this incident? Why isn’t there any human rights-themed story with a Srinagar dateline?”
Later on March 10th, a Pakistani terrorist of Lakshar-e-Toiba (LeT) was killed in a shootout when he tried to attack the much revered Hazratbal Darga Sharif in Srinagar along with two Kashmiri operatives of the outfit. They fired at the police guards positioned at the shrine and tried to snatch their duty weapons. The policeman shot dead the Terrorist Manzoor Haider Hamzah. This incident proved to the Kashmiris that their neighbours only wish for constant turmoil and unrest in the region. And the Terrorist will not spare a chance, even if it means aiming at the holiest shrine of Kashmir just as they did in 1993 and 1996.
