Kashmir killings – who is responsible?

This week’s killing of five Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir has led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan and the very real possibility that proposed talks over the disputed territory will be derailed.

This is a severe blow to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s hope of better relations with his neighbour, even a settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, which has been a source of conflict between the two countries for more than 60 years.

Sadly the incident demonstrates once again what international analysts have known for decades – that civilian governments in Pakistan never have full control over their armed forces.

The Indian troops were caught in an ambush while on patrol by around 20 heavily armed opponents dressed in Pakistani Army uniforms who had crossed the unofficial border, or Line of Control (LOC), into Indian-controlled territory. 

The Sharif Government immediately issued a statement that the group consisted of terrorists bent on wrecking the peace talks who had somehow obtained army uniforms.

This was initially accepted by Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony in an address to Parliament. However, the following day Antony reversed his position. “It is now clear that specialist troops of the Pakistani Army were involved in the attack,” he said.

In the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, the Foreign Ministry was sticking to its ‘terrorist’ explanation, describing allegations of official involvement as “baseless and unfounded”. 

But behind the bluster there is recognition that the only plausible explanation is that rogue elements of the Pakistani defence forces were involved. The only question is at what level was the attack sanctioned?

The Pakistani military is known to contain elements which are unwilling to pursue campaigns against the Taliban and other Islamic militants operating in the country’s more remote regions. Many agree with their fundamentalist aims and believe the dispute with India can only be resolved with the incorporation of the entire province of Jammu and Kashmir into Pakistan.

Since the death of the five soldiers a Pakistani civilian has been seriously wounded close to the LOC, allegedly when Indian troops opened fire.

Once again the two old rivals are facing off over Jammu and Kashmir and the prospect of a resumption of stalled peace talks is rapidly receding. Chalk up another win for fundamentalist terrorism over the voices of reason.