Finding nothing to defend the failures of her own party and the government she heads in Jammu & Kashmir the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Friday this week accused Pakistan of not showing respect for the month of Ramadhan immediately after the killing of one BSF man in cross border firing in Jammu. While issuing the statement against Pakistan the Chief Minister was not perhaps updated about the number of people killed on the other side of the border. Had Chief Minister been update about the number of people killed in cross border fire on the other side then she won’t perhaps level such provocative allegation against but would hopefully call for restraint from both the sides. Shockingly three children were among the four people reported killed in the exchange of fire on the other side of the borders. Restraint missing on both the sides in the holy month of Ramadhan would mean that both India and Pakistan are concerned about the respect for the holy month of Ramadhan. True it is that in presence of diplomatic standoff the possibility of discussion on the border situation in Jammu & Kashmir is not possible but both the countries could have explored the possibility of a flag meeting between their director generals of military operations for measures required to diffuse the escalations on borders. Instead of accusing Pakistan of not showing respect to the holy month of Ramadhan over the killing of one BSF soldier the chief minister should have persuaded the Modi government to extend an offer of ceasefire to Pakistan keeping in view the fact that ceasefire with Pakistan would have evoked a positive response to the suspension of anti-militancy operations in Kashmir also.
Unless and until talks are not resumed with Pakistan and an unconditional offer of dialogue is not extended to the top separatist leadership in Kashmir the challenges to peace and security can’t be overcome through half hearted measures like suspension of anti-militancy operations in Jammu & Kashmir.
Had the Modi government offered a ceasefire offer to Pakistan also before the commencement of the holy month of Ramadhan the announcement of the suspension of anti-militancy operations would have been received well by the people in Jammu & Kashmir. Unless and until talks are not resumed with Pakistan and an unconditional offer of dialogue is not extended to the top separatist leadership in Kashmir the challenges to peace and security can’t be overcome through half hearted measures like suspension of anti-militancy operations in Jammu & Kashmir.
