Cowardly attack

The Amarnath terror attack is cowardly and the most reprehensible act. There have been all round condemnations of this cowardly act. 7 among the pilgrims were killed and 17 others were injured in the terror attack on the bus carrying them to Amarnath. It is not an attack on Amarnath Yatris but on the composite culture of Jammu and Kashmir. The bus had Gujarat number and mostly the pilgrims belonged to that state. It was neither registered with Amarnath Yatra Board nor did it follow the rule of not going after sunset. This is the clear case of negligence and total security lapses. So, the Mehbooba Mufti govt. must be held responsible for security lapses. The terror attack on Anmarnath Yatris has angered the entire nation and it deserves strongest possible condemnation. There have also been serious lapses on the part of security agencies that despite intelligence output given in advance, they have failed to thwart the heinous act of terror. The unarmed Yatris were killed. Hijbul and LeT have reportedly been responsible for carrying out this heinous act of terror. The state of govt. of PDP-BJP has miserably failed to maintain law and order and the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre appears to be only indulging in tall talking. Now, the nation wants not only strident criticism of terror attack by the govt. but also stringent and decisive action against all those responsible for the killing of the 7 innocent Amarnath Yatris. It is after more than 15 years that Amarnath Yatris were targeted by the terrorists. Amarnath Yatris were also attacked for the first time in 2000. The entire nation wants action, and no talk and assurances. There must not be any politics over terror attack on Amarnath Yatris. The state govt. of Jammu and Kashmir appears to have failed on all fronts. So, it will be in the interest of the state to impose President’s rule. As far as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned, he must also know that now enough is enough and nation wants only action immediately. What is the Kashmir policy of the government? Since Narendra Modi govt. came to power, there has been sudden rise in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of the nation had hope that Narendra Modi govt. would crush terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. But in contrary to all hopes and expectations, BJP shook hands with PDP, which has been known for having soft approach towards terrorism. BJP did this only to be in power in the state with PDP. Narendra Modi govt. appears to have no Kashmir policy. The Central govt. is directionless. This govt. only holds hectic meeting of NSA Ajit Doval, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, IB Chief and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after every terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. But the result is zero and the same cowardly act of terror is repeated. The time has come for taking decisive action against the perpetrators of terror and their masters sitting across the border. LeT and Hijbul get strong backing from Pakistan. It should also be amply clear for the international community that when Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa glorify the Hijbul terrorist Burhan Wani’s death anniversary, it needs no proof that Pakistan encourages, abets and aids terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Hijbul Commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with the Army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on July 8, 2016. So, India must also launch a diplomatic offensive against Pakistan on the international stage on one hand and give free hand to Army in Jammu and Kashmir to take action against terror as and when required on the other. Apart from this, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval should also be asked to make clear what advice he gives to PM in regard to combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Now, it is more than three years since the Narendra Modi govt. came to power, but no improvement on any count is perceptible on the ground. Govt. must understand the outrage of the nation at the cowardly terror attack on Amarnath Yatris. The time has come for decisive action against terrorists and Pakistan, which provide them safe havens.