Kashmir conflict gets uglier with every passing day

Younis Kaloo
Srinagar, Aug 10 (KNB): Kashmir conflict seems to get bloodier by the day as the lives of civilians, militants, mostly Kashmiri, personnel of police, paramilitary and army continue to fall. As of July 8, 2018 according to the figures shared by the Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir with the Rajya Sabha, 100 militants, 43 security personnel and 16 civilians have been killed since January 1, 2018.
The data also mentioned the figures of the last two years – 2017 and 2016. In 2017, 213 militants, 80 security personnel and 40 civilians were killed while 150 militants, 82 security personnel and 15 civilians were killed in 2016.
The unabated bloodshed in the Valley is attributed by many to the lack of seriousness and any fruit-bearing policy of the government at the centre towards resolving the Kashmir issue, which has driven the people to despair and often leads to widespread protests. Seeing no hope, many youth take to the extreme way what in the Kashmir context is called as ‘armed struggle’.
The figures available with the Kashmir News Bureau of local youth joining the militant organisations shows a sharp rise in the recruitment. 54 locals in 2010, 23 in 2011, 21 in 2012, 16 in 2013, 53 in 2014, 66 in 2015, 88 in 2016, 126 in 2017 and 128 until July this year have joined militant outfits in Kashmir.



Effected by the loss of comrades, militants have reportedly turned to a tit-for-tat tactic by abducting the local recruits of Army and J and K Police.
In June this year, suspected militants abducted Indian Army soldier Aurengzeb who was the personal security guard of Major Shukla. Shukla was involved in the killing of militant commander Sameer Tiger. The bullet-riddled body of Aurengzeb, a resident of Poonch district, was found the next morning.
In yet another incident of abduction and killing, a Jammu and Kashmir Police constable Mohammad Salim Shah was kidnapped by suspected militants in Kulgam district last month. His body with multiple gunshot wounds was found the next day.
Moving ahead of kidnapping local recruits in the government forces, suspected militants on Tuesday kidnapped two youth form South Kashmir’s Kulgam district and released them on late Wednesday evening in unconscious state. One of the abducted, identified as Arif Sofi, later died at SMHS hospital Srinagar.
Meanwhile, Arif’s father has demanded proof from the militants in his son having been an Army informer. So far, no militant organisation has claimed their involvement in the incident.
Killing each other on one pretext or another, sets a ground for revenge, which is detrimental for a peace loving society. If reports are to be believed, 50 people from Aurengzeb’s village have returned from Saudi Arabia to join police and army to avenge his death.
In this part of the world, revered for its rich culture and sheer natural beauty, a kill for a kill isn’t a solution. (KNB)