Burhan Wani May Be Projected A Martyr, But Kashmiri Youth Will Do Well To Stay Away From Militancy

Maqbool Bhat in 1984, Afzal Guru in 2013 and now Burhan Wani-a four decade long history of militancy in Kashmir valley doesn't have many local heroes to boast of and until now, it's considered to be a problem exported by Pakistan.

But Wani's encounter and the violence that followed is an indication, no matter how bleak it might look, that we have provided the Kashmiri separatists, a hero out of a militant and the fabricated legend of Wani is likely to be used to brainwash young Kashmiris who were until now more or less away from militancy.

BCCL

Here nobody takes credit away from Indian Army for slaying Wani, but perhaps backlash of this sort wasn't expected at all. The 'Poster Boy' Wani's death did lend the Separatists an unprecedented advantage to play with.

In an Interview with DNA, Lt Gen Syed Hasnain Ata, former GOC of 15 Corps based in Srinagar who was credited to being one of the few popular military Generals to break into the Kashmiri society and lend an ear to their grievance said that 'Burhan Wani dead is more dangerous than Burhan Wani alive' while speaking on the military gains over Burhan Wani's encounter.

AFP

According to government data, between January 1990 and April 2011, a total of 43,460 people were killed in the Kashmir insurgency. Of these, 21,323 were terrorists, 13,226 were civilians killed by terrorists, 3,642 civilians killed by security forces and 5,369 policemen killed by terrorists. The 21,323 terrorists include both Kashmiri and foreign militants. The hard truth is, terrorists slaughtered more civilians than Indian security forces ever did.

These statistics show that until now Kashmiri youth's participation hasn't been alarming and it's the terrorists from other land especially Pakistan who have run riot in valley killing not only the people from security forces but also the Kashmiri locals.

But Wani's encounter is speculated to give the Kashmiri Separatists a local martyr which they didn't have for long. "There are so many stories woven around Wani that he has become a legend across this region. For almost 15 years, Kashmiri youngsters refrained from joining the militant ranks. Burhan brought the militant movement back to youngsters here¡­ Earlier, local recruits would be sent across the border for arms training. After Burhan became known, we have witnessed a new situation. There are more than 60 local militants active in south Kashmir who have trained locally," told a police officer to Indian Express while hinting towards the possible increase in local participation in militancy.

TOI

Pakistan's operation Gibraltar in 1965 which was based on the doctrine of rebellion by Kashmiris once Pakistani forces would enter Kashmir ended in a failure because Pakistan didn't get any support from Kashmiris.

Therefore, in 1970s, Pakistan set up militant groups to train young Kashmiris and Afghans to fight in India. But soon the support for Pakistan faded and the sentiment of Azadi took over. By 1991, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) had a ready army of Kalashnikov-wielding men roaming the bylanes of Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag and Sopore, calling for azaadi from "Indian rule". Hence ISI cut off of weapons and training aid to JKLF in favour of Hizbul Mujahideen, which had pro Pakistan slant unlike pro-azaadi.

But Wani's death might have given Pakistan with an opportunity to send a message via their separatists stooges that local Kashmiris alone can't achieve Azaadi own their own and they need Pakistan's support.

An audio clip, allegedly bearing the voice of Burhan's mother was being circulated in Kashmir in the aftermath of violence has her shouting: "Tum kitne Burhan maaroge?". A crowd responds, "Har ghar se Burhan niklega." Then the crowd takes over: "¡­ (not intelligible) aage badho, hum tumhare saath hain. Jeeve jeeve Pakistan. Jeeve jeeve Pakistan. Jeeve jeeve Pakistan. Jeeve jeeve Pakistan."

BCCL

Wani's encounter and what followed that made him an overnight legend in the valley, is a different preposition altogether and Indian establishment needs to find answers before its gets too late.