In the sleepy village of Gantmulla, a retired district police chief Mohammad Shafi Mir was shot dead by militants while he was giving azan, shattering once again the prevailing uneasy calm in the Valley. Mir’s tragic demise echoes a disconcerting truth — militancy has evolved, extending its reach to regions previously untouched by its shadow. The stark reality is that this incident isn’t an isolated event but rather a disturbing testament to a broader shift in militant tactics — one that demands immediate attention.
Mir’s killing took place soon after the killing of four jawans in an ambush at Poonch in Jammu followed by the death in custody of three civilians, sending violence spiking across the union territory.
The landscape of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is transforming, presenting a dual threat marked by a hybrid nature. The diminishing local insurgency has been compensated by the infiltration of foreign militants, finding strongholds in unsuspecting corners like Poonch and Rajouri. This evolution underlines the adaptability of the militant forces, revealed in strategic strikes on both security personnel and innocent civilians.
The facelessness and hybrid nature of this new wave of militancy pose a formidable challenge. Gone are the conventional markers of militants, replaced by an elusive cloak that blurs the lines between civilian and combatant. The disturbing reality of civilians doubling as militants before seamlessly blending back into their daily lives complicates the security landscape, as once disclosed by the former DGP Dilbagh Singh. The recent surge of violence, coupled with the anonymity of perpetrators, highlights the urgent need for a multifaceted approach to counter the renewed rise of militancy.
Despite the efforts of security forces, the numbers speak volumes. Over 550 militants have been killed since the revocation of Article 370, yet the cycle persists. Lives lost, those of civilians, security personnel, and militants stand as haunting reminders of the persisting conflict – albeit, the situation has certainly changed a lot on the ground in terms of absence of stone throwing and protests. But the militancy has lingered.
The solution, however, lies beyond silencing guns. It necessitates a comprehensive approach that delves into the root causes fueling this cycle of violence. It demands a concerted effort, both in security measures and political engagement, to create a future where the specter of conflict wanes. The path toward lasting peace in the Valley requires addressing underlying grievances and fostering an environment conducive to progress and prosperity.
The time to acknowledge and confront this renewed challenge of militancy is now. Ignoring the signs will only jeopardize the hard-earned tranquility. It needs a synergy of security vigilance and socio-political initiatives, essential to chart a course where the situation is acknowledged for what it actually is and then sought to be addressed.
