What
SAT Correspondent saw and heard in Srinagar
Visiting
Hurriyat leader pray for Kashmir in Pakistan
Foreign
Militants Being Isolated by Indigenous Kashmiri Fighters
By
Arun Rajnath
SRINAGAR,
June 4: Though militant organizations in Muzaffarabad have refused
to meet Hurriyat leaders visiting Pakistan, one of the most important
commanders of fighting militias, Syed Salahuddin (Left), is understood
to have directed all foreign militants operating in Indian administered
Kashmir to stop killing innocent Kashmiris.
Salahuddin's
directive is being seen as a new development by the Indian Security
Forces, and understandably so, as he heads the Hizbul Mujahideen,
the most potent of the fighting forces.
His
message intercepted just recently, according to sources, clearly
asked the foreign militants to immediately stop killing of Kashmiri
civilians, even if there is a suspicion that they were acting
as informers of the Indian security forces. Salahuddin also warns
that if his directives are violated, "they should be ready
to face the consequences.”
Ordinary
Kashmiris are reportedly fed up with these ‘foreign elements’
and their activities that have almost marred the indigenous armed
movement. During a visit to this Kashmiri capital, this popular
Kashmiri mood is overwhelmingly obvious.
Kashmiri civilians, specially the indigenous militant organizations,
have not just launched the campaign against foreign militants,
they have begun the ‘purging operation’.
Sources
said that Salahuddin's message was intercepted in the last few
days and in part said: “Yahan baithe buzurgon ke ishare
ke baghair koi operation kiya gaya to phir anjaam bhugatne ke
liye tayyar rehna chahiye”. (If any operation is carried
out without consent of seniors sitting here, let you be prepared
to face the consequences).
Not
only has Salahuddin issued this directive, his men have started
detaining the foreign militants as well. One such militant belongs
to Harkat-ul-Jehad, operating in South Kashmir. The Harkat-ul-Jehad
has sent many requests to the Area Commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen
to release the ‘boy’, but the outfit has refused to
do so.
According
to sources, this Harkat ‘boy’ is being kept somewhere
near the Chamb border in Himachal Pradesh. The intercepted messages
also show that in Bhadrwah the militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Tayyaba
and Hizbul Mujahideen have taken up arms against each other.
Bashir
Butt (name changed on account of security reasons) of the Radio
Kashmir says, “Indigenous militant organizations still have
influence, particularly among the lower classes as they are seen
as Saviors. But foreign militants have lost their ground and acceptability.”
“They
are undisciplined, indulge in un-Islamic activities such as debauchery,
sexual orgies and they often kidnap young women from towns and
villages. This is the reason why the indigenous organizations
like Hizb have taken arms against these elements who are violating
the true spirit of Jihad,” he added.
Bashir
Butt says: “The atmosphere has also changed a lot after
the initiation of peace gestures between Pakistan and India. Previously,
some persons in my institution used to have relations with militant
organizations.”
“Whenever
any official from New Delhi would come here to look into the broadcasting
matters, full information about him were provided to militant
elements and they used to threaten him to leave the Valley or
die. But now no such thing happens. People have changed a lot,”
he further stated.
He
says the new development has taken place partly due to disenchantment
to violent means for freedom and partly due to hope for peace
and security in the Valley after resumption of a dialogue.
Butt
provided some rough estimates about the incidents of kidnapping
by foreign militants that have substantially contributed to the
erosion in the acceptability of these elements.
He
said that some young women from Baramullah, Takoora (Srinagar),
Karan Nagar (Srinagar), Sopore, Trehgam, Miskeen Bagh (Srinagar),
Darsu (Pulwama), Hakbara (Baramullah), Malik Saheb (Srinagar),
Bhoripora (Kupwara), Pattan, Chadoora (Badgam), Batmaloo, Kokarhamam
(Baramullah), Shopiyan, Sultanpora (Badgam) had recently been
abducted by some unknown persons on gun point.
“None
has returned so far and nobody knows about their whereabouts.
Foreign militants often resort to such activity, therefore people
believe that these young women were abducted by those elements,”
he added.
Butt
told the South Asia Tribune: “Though we cannot
absolve the Indian forces of atrocities against women, the foreign
militants are doing the same thing. They are indulging in gang
rapes, keeping women in detention and later even killing them."
“In
1990s when militancy was at its peak in the Valley," he said,
"the Indian Security Forces used to abduct young women and
entire unit used to rape them. Girls were held captive in camps
and kept naked in tents for days on end. After gang raping them,
Indian soldiers used to string them up naked with trees, cut their
breasts and used to tell them that they would not be able to feed
future terrorist.”
“Foreign
militants are not any better, though there is substantial development
in the relationship between Forces and Kashmiri civilians. But
you must not forget that Kashmiri people also want peace,"
he added.
"Na
to unhain aazadi mili, na Nizam-e-Mustafa qayam hua. Voh mujahideen
aur maqbooza fauj ke beech pis ke rah gaya,” (Neither
they got independence nor an Islamic system. They were crushed
between the Mujahideen and Occupation Indian forces), he continued.
Butt said: “We want peace at any cost. Hurriyat leaders
have gone to Pakistan and they should try to reach a conclusion.
But they should not forget or ditch Mujahideen forces. Every one
should be included in the peace talks. Elected representatives
should also be consulted because they also represent some people.”
“Pakistan
should dismantle training camps and curb the foreign militants.
On the other side India should also move forward and hold talks
with indigenous militant organizations along with Hurriyat leadership
of both factions. Every body should come together for the establishment
of peace. This is the common feeling of the Kashmiri masses,”
Butt added.
Sources
said the I Security Forces had also intercepted some messages
of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Muhammed in North Kashmir. The
junior commanders are not complying with the orders of their senior
commanders, it appears from these messages.
In
one such intercepted message, a junior commander of the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba
is heard saying to his superior: “Tum log to tanzeem
ke paise se aish kar rahe ho aur hamen ek paisa nahin dete. Bhar
mein jao” (You people are making merry from the money
of the organization and you refuse to share anything with us.
Go to hell).
A
Divisional Commander of the Jaish-e-Muhammed has also warned the
foreign militants to stop their activities.
