Newspapers and online news portals are packed with articles condemning the army and its chief for its recent actions in Kashmir. The common Indian may disagree with the criticism, as an unofficial online poll on the Gogoi incident proved, yet there seems to be no end to army bashing. The chief’s unstinted support of the officer resulted in him being […]
PM Modi is scheduled to meet President Trump over the weekend. The proximity which Modi had with Obama appears missing, hence expectations from this visit are low. However, for the US, India would be a key player as the US heads into a security isolation, solely due to Trump’s own policy of ‘America First’. Since his ascendency as the President […]
The last few days have witnessed a spurt of incidents in the valley. Increased attempts at infiltration have resulted in over fourteen militants killed. Junaid Matoo, a known militant with an immense bounty on his head was gunned down in an encounter. There was also a brutal ambush in which militants killed six policemen. An off-duty policeman, Shabir Ahmad Dar, […]
Encounters with militants result in casualties to security forces. Incidents of stone throwing, protests and anti-national comments by the Hurriyat dominate headlines at regular intervals. Local poster boy militants, scared of challenging the army, secure in their hideouts or homes, issue statements on social media, asking people to support them, which are widely circulated. Security forces operations against them are […]
Twice a year, the J and K state machinary moves along the national highway, spending summers in Srinagar and winters in Jammu. It maintains this practice of pre-Independence India. This shift of the state government, termed darbar move, involves movement of staff, families and resetting up government offices. While the move is in progress, the working of the government comes […]
Those of us who have visited Kashmir, even when it was peaceful or have served in the state, would always carry a few stark realities of the region. Firstly, as a tourist you are always asked, ‘have you have come from India’, and secondly, All India Radio was and continues to be termed as Radio Kashmir. That stated, they were […]
Fading Indian politicians seek limelight solely hoping for a boost in their careers. A few minutes of media glare, they hope, would re-open doors to a flagging career and maybe their party would suddenly recognize their capability. Mani Shankar Aiyar rushed to Srinagar, seeking to hobnob with the Hurriyat, knowing that even when his party was in power, they had […]
The army chief, General Bipin Rawat, gave an interview to a national news agency last week. Opposition parties and media have accused him of making intemperate comments during his interaction. The statements, some partially misquoted, include phrases ‘dirty war in Kashmir’, ‘firing weapons instead of throwing stones’, ‘adversaries and your people should be afraid of you’ and his continued support […]
Militancy in J and K assisted by stone throwing, increased militant encounters, Chinese intrusions, regular firing incidents on the Pak border and aid to civil authorities ensure that the army remains in the limelight throughout. The nation witnesses’ discussions on TV concerning actions of the army, where veterans join a multitude of politicians spread across party lines, security analysts from […]
The nation is aware, Lakshman had amply illustrated it in his cartoons, that finding an honest politician is akin to seeking a needle in the haystack. The needle may still be found, an honest politician unlikely. Politics is never the art of caring for the common human, but first of filling pockets, then possibly catering to the needs of the […]