Gurdaspur attack: Identity of terrorists not relevant, motive is
New Delhi, July 28: The Gurdaspur terrorist strike throws open a lot of questions. The identity of the terrorists is under question. Whether it was the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad or some Khalistan group is not important at the moment.
Gurdaspur attack was meant to last a day
What is pertinent to note is here is that no attack of this nature can be done without the approval of the Pakistan establishment.
The identity of the terrorists is not relevant here especially in the context of what India has been facing for several years now in terms of terrorism. We also know for a fact that during the height of the Punjab militancy, the dividing line between one organization and another was disappearing. The militants from Punjab were often seen using the strengths and assets of Pakistan based groups and very often they even operated in tandem.
What is relevant is that the terrorists came from Pakistan:
According to the former Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing, C D Sahay, what is relevant in this attack is that the terrorists came from Pakistan.
More importantly they chose the first target available after coming into Gurdaspur. Only a couple of months back there was an attack on a police station at the Samba region. The Gurdaspur attack witnessed a similar modus operandi, Sahay points out.
Why Punjab and why this timing?
Many have stated that the ISI sponsored proxies are attempting to set up a module in Punjab. Now that is not the case in the Gurdaspur attack. One thing is clear that the media treats attacks at Jammu and Kashmir as a routine news. An attack in Punjab draws more attention.
Take a look at the Gurdaspur attack. The terrorists planned this operation quickly and after entering into Gurdaspur they chose a target very quickly and began their assault. Now look at the media coverage that it got.
The media was stuck with the news for the entire day and this provided the necessary publicity that these militants would have wanted, Sahay also points out.
The
timing
of
the
attack
is
another
crucial
point
here.
Each
time
India
and
Pakistan
have
attempted
to
hold
talks
there
has
been
an
attack
trying
to
derail
the
same.
In
the
wake
of
such
attacks,
India
has
always
been
driven
to
a
point
to
call
off
the
talks.
Once
India
calls
off
the
talks,
Pakistan
goes
to
town
with
this.
Why
blame
only
the
ISI
and
the
Pakistan
army?
After
every
terror
attack,
we
are
quick
to
blame
the
Pakistan
army
and
the
ISI.
While there is no doubting that the establishment is behind each and every attack that emerges out of Pakistan, one must stop and think about the intent of the democratically elected government too.
There is a democratically elected government in Pakistan and the question that needs to be asked here is whether it is really interested in engaging with India?
Talks with India would mean answering questions and does the government in Paksitan have all the answers?
During the talks, Pakistan will be asked questions and the point here is, " do they have the answers?" Does the political leadership want to engage in talks in a meaningful way?
Pakistan
will
ensure
no
talks
are
held:
Pakistan
does
not
want
to
talk.
They
have
several
uncomfortable
questions
to
answer.
India on the other hand is in a catch-22 situation. If it does not call off the talks, it faces the risk of more such attacks. If it does go ahead and call the talks off, then it plays into Pakistan's hands.
Sahay points out that it is a comprehensive strategy of both the Pakistan government and its military/ISI to keep pushing India to call off the talks.
OneIndia News