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Hot borders and video wars

Kashmir Times. Dated: 5/26/2017 12:16:25 AM

Cross-border firing coupled with Virtual War between India, Pakistan is pushing the sub-continent towards untold dangers

War of words and now videos have increased the intensity of the hostility between India and Pakistan and this is a cause for concern as soldiers and people living on the borders are losing their lives on both sides of the borders in senseless cross-border firing. In Nowshera sector, where firing and shelling has been going on for almost a fortnight, several people have been displaced and unable to freely visit their agricultural lands to work. On Tuesday last, Indian army released a video maintaining that it was carrying out "punitive fire assaults" across the Line of Control to thwart infiltrations. Pakistan's army called the claims a 'hoax' and released a counter video showing similar action by its personnel on this side of the border. The war on the borders is now coupled with a Virtual Reality war with both sides adhering to the maintained traditions of tit for tat in this combat as well. The political establishments, also unwilling to leave any opportunity in trying to outdo each other, perhaps compelled by their own domestic constituencies, are further adding fuel to fire and consequently reckless hostility has been ensuing both in terms of words and actions. Whatever be the truth about the 'punitive action' video or many other claims and counter claims that go on endlessly, the fact is that the Line of Control is becoming increasing active by the day. Amidst the events of past fortnight and the multiple statements that imbue the atmosphere with more jingoism and confusion, it is likely that if unchecked this tempo of firing would increase from both sides, targeting not just each other's defence posts but also villages close to the border.
India's concerns about reported infiltration and alleged cases of mutilation of soldiers' bodies are indeed valid but such concerns do not allow any government the complacency of foolishly skirting the option of peaceful and diplomatic engagement and go entirely ballistic. Ever since the rise of the BJP to power, the borders have been witnessing excessive action, propelled by loud jingoistic voices in New Delhi, throwing the 2003 ceasefire to the dust-bin. The truth is that all its jingoism, chest thumping, rhetoric or action - whatever be the truth behind 'punitive action' or the previous 'surgical strikes' - has not made an iota of change to the situation on the borders or in the hinterland in Kashmir, if the aim is to punish Pakistan both for its reckless firing and for fomenting trouble in Kashmir Valley. Whether the aim is to enter into military skirmishes to deter the other side or push for full scale war, it is ill-conceived. For every action, there will be a double reaction. Decisive victories in wars amidst existing global political situation are unlikely and wars are fraught with many dangers with or without the added disadvantage of the sub-continent standing on a nuclear threshold. Neither of the two sides should indulge in this luxury of misplaced machismo. There is need for both India and Pakistan to sit up and take notice of the situations, list their respective concerns and sit on the table for a diplomatic and civilized engagement.
A recent resolution by citizens of India and Pakistan, urging both the states to take all steps possible towards improving relations and begin an uninterruptible dialogue, breathes in some optimism amid the dismal scenario of gun for gun on the borders and verbal war between Islamabad and New Delhi. It is not as if a citizens' resolution is likely to change the dynamics of the hostile path adopted by India and Pakistan; however, it creates the hope of building up pressure on the two states to re-think their strategy and prevent it from further worsening. By and large, there is a yearning for peace among the ordinary and common citizens of India and Pakistan. It should not be overlooked that the resolution is signed by over 900 people including top ranking retired military personnel, parliamentarians and diplomats as well as intellectuals, artists, journalists, filmmakers, lawyers, historians, physicians, businesspeople, economists and students. The governments on the two sides of the borders will need to heed to such voices of reason and open negotiations through an uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue.