We smell a conspiracy being hatched to escalate tension on the Line of Control (LOC) between Pakistani and Indian held parts of Kashmir. It may create a win-win situation for some hawks in both the countries, but it’s loss for millions who are praying for peace between these two feuding neighbors. After the conclusion of recently held cricket matches, there was a new sense of confidence about the peace process between these countries gaining momentum.
As the tension escalates along the border, Pakistan claimed on last Sunday that an “unprovoked” Indian attack killed one of its soldiers. This was immediately rejected by the Indian side with a counter claim accusing Pakistani troops of opening fire first. As the matter is being investigated, another claim has come to the surface from the Indian side this time. India claims that Pakistani soldiers crossed the Indian territory and ambushed an army patrol party killing and beheading two Indian soldiers. No one can believe that a professional army can commit this kind of brutality. Therefore, it gives room for suspicion that non-state actors in Pakistan are taking such steps in an apparent attempt to derail the ongoing peace process. 26/11 Mumbai attack is a grim example of such attempts on the part of terrorists. Every peaceful Pakistani and Indian should try to maintain a distance from those evil-minded people who are trying their best to keep the borders bleeding all the time.
Though such a confrontation will feed to the hawks’ ego, however, remember what Churchill said: “War is a too serious a business to be left to generals.” Therefore, instead of being swayed by the hawks in media and opposition parties, the political leadership on both sides of the border needs to show courage in the face of terrorists’ schemes. It is unfortunate that after a relatively peaceful decade this 700-km-long border is again becoming a flash point. — Masood Khan, Jubail
