‘Destroy terror eco-system’

An Indian Army soldier at the site of the terror attack, in Anantnag district. Pic/PTI

I was posted in Srinagar for a couple of years during my 33-year tenure in the Indian Air Force. During that time, I had what they call 'my ear to the ground', picking up the local sentiment in the region. I saw action during the Kargil War (1999) as I was in the Air Defence Fighter Squadron at Srinagar. Then again, during Operation Parakram, after the 2001 Parliament attack. We had almost launched a retaliatory attack, but the mission was called off due to details being leaked to Pakistan. By air defence, we mean forming an air defence umbrella for our ground attack aircraft and also for the ground troops.

Exodus

We had been observing from the early 1990s that there was a hostile environment. In 1990, Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik killed IAF officials. I have also witnessed the exodus of Kashmiri Hindu Pandits from the Valley, the searing trauma they endured. This was happening right when I was stationed there. So many air force colleagues, senior and junior, were Hindu Pandits too, and we heard first-hand accounts from them.

Roads

I have witnessed the region actually shrouded in fear. No tourist or even locals would dare to walk on the roads alone. Then, there was some change as the Road Opening Parties (ROP) started being deployed all over. The ROP deployment is meant to provide safety and security to people. When that happened, I did see people daring to walk on the roads. Yet, everybody would be home before sunset.

Mindset

These were small on-ground changes; overall, I must state that there has been little to no change in the mindset. There is also a political system that allows this to grow for their vested interests. Some time ago, we had a statement from MP Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi of the National Conference (NC) saying, 'it is not tourism but cultural invasion in the guise of tourism'. He was speaking in the context of a fashion show in Gulmarg during Ramadan. Terms like cultural invasion are a pointer to the mindset.

Support

One has to understand that attacks like the one in Pahalgam do not take place in a vacuum. There is a system that 'enables' this. Currently, with the outrage on the boil, it is all about justice and finding the perpetrators of the attack. What is important is looking at the entire picture. India has to also find those that may have hosted the attackers, offered other support, if any and finish that off too; they have to be dealt in the same way that the terrorists will be. We have to uproot the entire damaged tree with roots, not just a few branches. The ecosystem of this evil has to be destroyed. That and demographic change must happen; it will take enormous political will to do so. The larger network has to be identified and taken out, even at the cost of collateral damage.

Israel

We are being told not to compare this to global events, but the Israel-Hamas war does come to mind. What happened after October 7? Israel went to war, and we have to do something similar. Currently, there is no fear in the minds of those enabling terror or perpetrating the attack. We need a reaction strong enough to change that. After all, 26 lives have been lost. Remember, there have been so many before this. Absolute and effective action is needed, a fitting response to the carnage on this scale. For locals or tourists, Kashmir should no longer be the Valley of fears... or tears. Group Captain (Retd) Sanjay Mahadev Bawle saw action in Kargil and Operation Parakram, a major military mobilisation by the Indian Army in response to the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.

World reacts

Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister
‘I am shocked by the horrific terror attack on innocent civilians. There is no justification for this violence and Australia condemns it. Our hearts go out to the injured, to those mourning loved ones and to everyone in Australia touched by this terrible news'

Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor
‘We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack against tourists in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and we wish a speedy recovery for all the injured. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the people of India'

Iranian Embassy, in India
‘The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi strongly condemns the terrorist attack. We extend our condolences to the government and people of India, especially to the families of the victims of this attack'

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka
‘Sri Lanka strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. Sri Lanka stands in firm solidarity with the Government and people of India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.'