Indian security forces' key objective is to protect local Kashmiri from Pakistan sponsored terrorists

In an article published recently under headline: “India arrests prominent human rights activist in Kashmir amid clampdown,” The Washington Post said, “Arrest of Khurram Parvez, a prominent human rights activist in Kashmir is an escalation in the crackdown in Kashmir that has swept up activists, journalists and even political leaders seen as critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.”

This claim of The Washington Post stands bizarre as India’s counter-terrorism agency, NIA arrested Khurram Parvez in Srinagar in connection with a case filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, including terror funding. He was arrested for waging a war against the government, raising funds for terrorists and recruiting people for terrorist act. In 2016, Parvez was booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for his involvement in protests following the killing of Burhan Wani, the top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, a terrorist outfit.

Read the complete article in The Indian Express:

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/srinagar/nia-arrests-jk-rights-activist-khurram-parvez-7636465/

Like some western media, the UN Human Rights body OHCHR too made adverse comments on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. But the Ministry of External Affairs in substantial terms told the OHCHR that its comment “betrays” a complete lack of understanding of the security challenges in the Union Territory due to Pakistan sponsored terrorism in the region. “It also betrays a complete lack of understanding on the part of the OHCHR of the security challenges faced by India from cross-border terrorism and its impact on the most fundamental human right, 'the right to life' of our citizens, including in Jammu and Kashmir,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted as saying in response to media queries on the OHCHR statement on Kashmir.

Read the complete article in The Tribune:

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/india-hits-out-at-un-human-rights-body-for-comments-on-j-k-345427

The Washington Post said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government controversially revoked the region’s (Jammu and Kashmir) semi autonomous status in 2019.

However, there are dailies, television channels and news portals which have supported the scrapping of the contentious article 370 of the Indian constitution. For example, Asianet News reported that weeks after article 370 was revoked, the Indian Army successfully managed to eliminate all terrorists who were targeting unarmed civilians in Kashmir. Strong intelligence network, focused approach, well-coordinated effort with Jammu and Kashmir Police and the continued support of the local population have helped security agencies in neutralizing terrorists in the Valley. As per Asianet News, prior to the scrapping of article 370, there were 318 terror-related incidents reported in 2018, the number reduced to 121 in 2021. The cases of stone-pelting have also reduced from 202 in 2019 to 39 in 2021. The Kashmiris have reposed greater faith in the civil administration and government. Data suggested that the number of peaceful protests has increased in Kashmir from 40 in 2018 to 86 in 2021. Most of these protests are over administrative issues related to water supply, road construction and others.

Read the complete article in Asianet:

https://newsable.asianetnews.com/india-defence/how-indian-army-eliminated-civilian-killing-terrorists-in-kashmir-r3bk1o

The Washington Post said for decades, Kashmiris have accused security forces of staging fake gunfights and covering up extrajudicial killings

Yet the same narrative is not shared by other media outlets. According to Sunday Guardian over the past many decades successful cooperation of people and security forces has brought peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of Pakistan sponsored terror commander have been killed in the last few years. Anyone who is appointed as a commander in terror ranks is tracked using various means and targeted using multiple approaches. Due to this, the number of active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir has reduced drastically.

Sunday Guardian in its write up published on October 9, 2021 under headline, ‘Kashmir: Killing innocent civilians, Pakistan’s move to revive terrorism,’ said ever since the abrogation of Article 370 and the start of “Operation All Out”, remarkable changes has taken place on the ground with a decrease in terror activities. Firstly, due to the increased crackdown on terror sympathizers and financers, new recruitments are affected. Secondly, since the vigil on the LoC is very strict and a three-tier security deployment is maintained, the availability of arms and ammunition to terrorists is reduced. Thirdly, due to their utter desperation, terror groups have started targeting soft targets like Kashmiri Pandits who have a negligible presence in the valley, political leaders, soldiers on leave and social leaders in frustration.

https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/legally-speaking/kashmir-killing-innocent-civilians-pakistans-move-revive-terrorism

Overall, western media needs to see Kashmir’s geographical situation. Bordering Pakistan, which is the only country in the world where terrorists are considered as strategic assets, Kashmir has suffered the brunt of Pakistan Army and ISI’s nefarious designs for decades. Since August 5, 2019, not only the cycle of death and destruction caused by terrorists in Kashmir has almost stopped, but also Pakistan has lost support it used to get from some vested interests in the Valley.