Peace must return to Jammu and Kashmir, which has been on the boil for several decades. The growing role of non-state actors has only worsened the condition over the years. The inability of our successive Central and state governments in blocking the flow of aid to separatists from abroad and within the country has always provided a kind of financial and moral cushion to the unscrupulous forces to carry out their anti-India activities in the Valley. When the BJP came to power at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the nation hoped that things would improve in the strife-torn Valley. The hope further got a boost when the BJP decided to be a part of the state government in alliance with the PDP. However, there was little improvement in the condition at the ground level. The stone-pelting on armed forces assumed a critical dimension. Finally, the BJP decided to break the alliance with the PDP and bring the state under the President’s Rule. Now the Centre has decided to send National Security Guards (NSG) commandos or the Black Cats to the Valley and assist the state police in carrying out anti-terror operations. It is said the Centre had credible inputs to doubt the PDP’s commitment and determination to eliminate terrorism from the state. Also, a feeling was gaining ground that the PDP was overtly or covertly inciting the stone pelters.

However, everybody wants peace to be back in the Valley, but the use of muscular power must be made with all care and precautions so that the innocents do not bear the brunt of India’s war against terror in Jammu and Kashmir. Even the locals should realize that giving shelter to terrorists or anti- India forces is fraught with life threatening risks. Hence, they should join hands with the governments in establishing peace in the Valley. The use of commandos during encounters with terrorists or in flushing them out from the Valley will surely give the state police an edge, but that may not also be a guarantee to establish a lasting peace which the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been craving for long. That will be possible only when the Central and state governments are able to nip the flow of help to anti-India forces in the Valley in its bud. Till then, the battle for peace will continue in the Valley.

It’s also important to mention here that the rapid political events in Jammu 7 Kashmir unfolded following death of Indian soldier Aurangzeb by the terrorists. His sacrifice was duly recognized by Army Chief Bipin Rawat who visited his village. General Rawat along with senior Army officials went all the way to the remote Salani hamlet in the frontier Poonch district and conveyed to Aurangzeb’s family that forces stood with them in their hour of grief. Aurangzeb, who belonged to the 44 Rashtriya Rifles, was on way home to celebrate Eid when terrorists abducted and shot him dead on June 14. Aurangzeb’s sacrifice offers more than what meets our eyes. He has proved once again that common youths in the Valley have not fully fallen in Pakistan sponsored nefarious trap, solely designed to keep the Valley on boil. Notwithstanding the fact that death was staring at him, Aurangzeb did not bother even an iota in telling the terrorists that he had encountered many mercenaries during operations carried out under the leadership of Major Rohit.

He exhibited true patriotism and fearlessness, which also reminds us of great martyrs Bhagat Singh, Veer Savarkar and Raj Guru, who did not hesitate in admitting their valorous acts to their British tormentors and embraced the gallows. It will also be not an exaggeration to say that Aurangzeb proved he was a true Muslim, who during the holy month of Ramzan did not resort to lies to save his own life. Aurangzeb’s sacrifice has not left behind a vacuum but an opportunity for the Government of India, the PDP-BJP regime in the state and the Army to reach out to the Valley’s youth in a holistic manner so that they are not misled by the unscrupulous anti-national forces. The abduction and killing of unarmed Aurangzeb by militants only indicate that terrorists are rattled from within and they need to be crushed in a befitting manner. Since May last year when Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz was killed by militants in Shopian where he had gone to attend a family marriage, the Indian Army has firmly been giving one after another blows to terrorists. Only on Monday, the Centre announced to resume operations against militants, which led to the elimination of two terrorists in Bandipora, an indication of the fact that there is not going to be any let up in India’s fight against terrorism in the Valley.