Peril in Pir Panjal: Grave military casualties signal the unsettling return of terrorism in Rajouri-Poonch

Peril in Pir Panjal: Grave military casualties signal the unsettling return of terrorism in Rajouri-Poonch

In the quiet shadows of the Pir Panjal range, a disconcerting tale unfolds in Rajouri-Poonch—a resurgence of terrorist activities, causing ripples of concern after 15 years of relative calm. Suspicions point to Pakistan fanning the flames, using ambushes to compound the Kashmir issue post Article 370’s nullification.

The Pir Panjal, a web of lower mountains, weaves across western Jammu and Kashmir, posing a complex challenge from Poonch to Doda. The worry intensifies as terrorists, once in Rajouri, find easy routes into Kashmir—reaching places like Kulgam and Kokernag. Poonch, similarly, becomes a precarious gateway to Shopian and Uri.

In this geographical chessboard, the stakes are high, urging heightened vigilance. As the mountains echo with the unsettling return of a threat long subdued, the region finds itself at a critical juncture, with security and stability teetering on the edge. In the rugged expanse of Rajouri, a two-day-long confrontation unfolded, a clash between the valiant and the malevolent. Two terrorists, including the ominous Quari, met their end. Yet, victory extracted a heavy toll.

As the sun set, five soldiers ascended to the celestial realm, their sacrifice etching a poignant narrative. Among them, Captain MV Pranjal of Karnataka and Captain Shubham Gupta of Uttar Pradesh, are exemplars of unyielding spirit. Havaldar Abdul Majid, Lance Naik Sanjay Bist, and Paratrooper Sachin Laur, warriors all, joined the ranks of those who gave their all.

The hills may fall silent, but the echoes of their courage linger. As the tricolor envelops their mortal remains, a nation mourns. Yet, in grief, there resides a silent promise – their sacrifice shall not be in vain, and their legacy shall stand guard against the forces that threaten our nation’s spirit. In Rajouri’s valleys, heroes may rest, but their indomitable spirit lives on.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, as Captain Shubham Gupta’s mortal remains awaited their journey home, an Uttar Pradesh minister, Yogendra Upadhyay displayed a distressing urgency for a photo opportunity with sarkari cheques. The insensitivity of the situation was laid bare as the grieving mother, with tears streaming down her face, fervently pleaded against turning her son’s homecoming into a public spectacle.

In the sombre shadows of Captain Shubham Gupta’s sacrifice, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded, casting a stark light on the unsettling depths to which politics has descended. The grief-stricken mother, her soul shattered by the loss of her dear son, found herself thrust into a macabre theatre where the urgency for a photo-op with sarkari cheques took precedence over humanity.

In the midst of her inconsolable sorrow, as Captain Gupta’s mortal remains awaited their final journey home, a politician, seemingly impervious to the agony around, callously forced a cheque into the hands of a mother pleading for solace. The urgency mirrored a frantic rush, as if these politicians were on an express train to nowhere, heedless of the collective mourning echoing through the nation.

“What train are you rushing to catch?” we ask, as the grief-stricken mother, her voice cracking with anguish, begged to be allowed a moment to grieve. The sarkari cheque, a symbol of bureaucratic insensitivity, was shoved into the hands of a mother who deserved compassion, not a political sideshow.

In this theatre of callousness, we must assert loudly that the loss of our brave jawans is not just statistics; it is a collective wound that scars the soul of every citizen. The urgency displayed by the politician was not a rush to catch a train but a sprint away from the responsibility of acknowledging the magnitude of our nation’s loss.

Let it be known, in the echoes of our collective outrage, that the sacrifice of our jawans demands reverence, not exploitation. The grief of a mother should be treated with the utmost respect and political theatrics should never tarnish the sanctity of such poignant moments. We, as a nation, must demand empathy, accountability, and a dignified acknowledgment of our shared sorrow. Our brave hearts deserve nothing less.

In the wake of the recent loss of five young Indian soldiers, the weight of their sacrifice bears heavy on our hearts. The question echoes in the silence: Why must so many brave jawans lay down their lives for the apprehension of just two terrorists?

As I pen down these words, a surge of anger and sadness envelops me, compelling a questioning of the toll exacted on our nation’s finest. The truth lies in the harsh reality that the sacrifices of soldiers often go unnoticed, and the profound bravery exhibited in the face of enemy action deserves a spotlight.

These soldiers, who operate with the knowledge that each breath could be their last, exemplify a courage that surpasses ordinary comprehension. The anguished question lingers – why must we lose these valiant souls, five at a time, for the apprehension of a few?

While as a nation, we courageously face the necessity of sending our soldiers into peril, we must also grapple with the painful truth that we shouldn’t want to. The aspiration shouldn’t be martyrdom, and the loss of these young lives should prompt a collective reflection on the cost of conflict.

Keeping the Indian Army’s Special Forces with regular infantry under the same command has raised concerns, notably exemplified by the alarming eight casualties suffered by 9 Para Special Forces this year. This highlights the pressing need of fast-tracking the establishment of Special Forces Command, emphasising the unique skills and training required for their specialized missions. The rising casualty rate also points to an escalation in militant training levels, underscoring the urgency for a strategic and swift response.

In the enduring battle that spans decades without a clear endpoint, the sacrifice of our brave soldiers remains a poignant reality. The recurring losses faced by the Indian Army  in the valley stem from the intricacies of asymmetric warfare. Operating under strict orders to prioritize civilian safety, the Indian Army faces the challenge of terrorists exploiting this advantage, seamlessly blending into the local population. With terrorists possessing superior knowledge of the terrain, surprise attacks, hit-and-run tactics, and evasion become their arsenal. Stringent rules of engagement further impede swift and decisive responses, as troops must meticulously verify identities and threat levels. In contrast, adversaries like the Pakistani Army resort to ruthless tactics, circumventing such constraints. Engaging locals in intelligence operations is inevitable, yet the risk of betrayal adds another layer of complexity. While casualties are in no way justified, understanding these challenges is crucial. The path to minimizing such sacrifices lies in a nuanced approach that the army, with its expertise, is best equipped to navigate.

In the heart of these challenging terrains, where heroes rest and mothers weep, the sacrifice of our soldiers beckons us to a solemn reckoning. The urgency for change is not just a strategic necessity but a moral imperative. As we navigate the shadows of asymmetric warfare, let us remember the faces of Captain Shubham Gupta and his comrades, etched in the tricolour that drapes their mortal remains. Their sacrifice demands more than just strategic adaptations; it calls for a profound reflection on the cost of conflict. In their memory, let us stand united, demanding empathy, respect, and a nation that acknowledges the silent sacrifices of its sons.

The author is a practicing advocate. She writes article on women’s rights, politics and law. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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