Terrorist attack in Kashmir

[seek10]

Here is one analysis on the topic of Indo-Pakistan issues, with Modi and Imran Khan not greeting to each other at SCO meetings.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Pompeo is bringing a 'bag of democracy' to India to reject the Russian S-400 air defense systems...

Allies or frenemies? Pompeo lands in India with a bag of ‘freedom’ offers one doesn’t simply refuse

The top US diplomat has landed in New Delhi, aiming to pressure the Indian government into rejecting Russian S-400 air defense systems and China’s Huawei mobile tech in favor of “better” military and trade deals with Washington.

www.rt.com

26 Jun, 2019

 

[seek10]

Pompeo is bringing a 'bag of democracy' to India to reject the Russian S-400 air defense systems...

Allies or frenemies? Pompeo lands in India with a bag of ‘freedom’ offers one doesn’t simply refuse

The top US diplomat has landed in New Delhi, aiming to pressure the Indian government into rejecting Russian S-400 air defense systems and China’s Huawei mobile tech in favor of “better” military and trade deals with Washington.

www.rt.com

26 Jun, 2019

For some time, Modi's slogan is "Modernization without Westernization". Promotion of decades of cultural exchange programs, military cooperation (particularly after 1970 war )with Moscow made the impression on Indians (including even remote villagers) of "Russia as trusted all-time weather friend". Modi's other vision is "Without village development, there is no India's growth". For this, he wants to use the technology to avoid the endemic bribing of middleman ( politicians , government bureaucrats etc. ) , direct access to the developments to the lowest level and avoiding the villager migration to the cities. In fact, this "Village Development" is MK Gandhi's famous vision.

This what he did it in Gujarat, that is example he sold to Indians in 2014 to get the elected and demonstrated it in the next 5 years to in his myriad schemes. This is reflected in 2019 elections results from remote tribal village voting patterns from North East, North Bengal tribals and even in distressed farmers from Maharashtra and Gujarat. In the media fog of "2002 Godhra killings" all was ignored or considered as electoral rhetoric.

So, I don't think US's "carrot and stick" will have effect on Modi.

 

[seek10]

Pompeo is bringing a 'bag of democracy' to India to reject the Russian S-400 air defense systems...

Allies or frenemies? Pompeo lands in India with a bag of ‘freedom’ offers one doesn’t simply refuse

The top US diplomat has landed in New Delhi, aiming to pressure the Indian government into rejecting Russian S-400 air defense systems and China’s Huawei mobile tech in favor of “better” military and trade deals with Washington.

www.rt.com

26 Jun, 2019

Here is one analysis of Indo-US relations, trade wars etc.

Note: This analyst known to be Leftist orientation with congress sympathies , but does the decent job of analyzing the events. He uses word 'transaction' a lot not only this video and other video's.

 

[angelburst29]

India's Rahul Gandhi calls for change as he quits as Congress leader

Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's opposition Congress party, said on Wednesday he had asked party bosses to find a successor after he took responsibility for losing a general election that has left the party in crisis.

India's Congress party in turmoil after Gandhi resignation

Rahul Gandhi has spurned appeals to reconsider his resignation as leader of India's Congress Party after losing a second general election to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an aide said on Tuesday, as the party faces its worst crisis in a decade.

Modest rise in Indian military spending likely, modernization on hold

India is likely to stick to a modest rise in defense spending in the 2019/2020 budget due on Friday because of tight government finances, officials said, further delaying a long-planned military modernization program.

Drugs arrest of Pakistan politician sparks opposition fury
Pakistan's main opposition party on Tuesday criticized as political the arrest on drugs charges of one of its senior provincial leaders who has been critical of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

India curbs on highway for Hindu pilgrimage anger Kashmir residents

Curbs on civilian traffic along a highway linking disputed Kashmir to the rest of India, imposed for a Hindu pilgrimage, have angered residents of the Muslim-majority region.

Heavy rains in India kill 30, cripple financial capital

Wall collapses in Mumbai and nearby towns, caused by the worst monsoon rains in a single day in 14 years, killed 30 people on Tuesday and disrupted rail and air traffic, prompting officials to shut schools and offices.

 

[seek10]

Recently Trump while talking to visiting Pakistan PM Imran Khan said that India asked him to mediate in the Kashmir Issue. Any body who knows BJP or Modi's ideology even a bit, would have immediatly thought it is lie. India promptly denied it.

But the question is why Trump lied?. One possible interpretation from the video below is Trump is looking for re-election and he wants to get out of Afghanistan as a preparation for the election and he wants to handover US interests in Afghanistan to Pakistan in exchange for the recent $6 Billion bailout it received. i.e. Pakistan will start transferring their militants (irrespective of brand Taliban, Isis, Al-Quieda or whatever the name they come up with) to Kashmir lot sooner. Even Isis declared their intention some time back.

BJP was talking of removing special status to Kashmir (Article 370, 35A) for decades, but it couldn't implement it before of what ever the political realities/compulsions at that time. With the majority they have now, it is now for the Majority. This Trump talk made the Kashmir issue a priority for BJP and Kashmir is to go for Assembly election in coming months, as the Govt. decided to not extend the president rule ( i.e President decided unelected Govt. rule). The speculation is that they are going to remove the special status before the elections. Any way, BJP will get most of the seats from 2 parts (Jammu and Ladhak) are of Jammu & Kashmir, but that is not sufficient for them for forming Govt. as the Kashmir Valley is dense and holds more seats than other two where most of muslims live.

Another factor that favors is BJP's recent incentives to muslim population ( 50 million study scholarships, loans etc.). Along with that , by making sure to pass the triple Talaq bill, he loosened the grip of muslim religious bodies and politicians that controlled them for centuries.

Even though I don't agree with this journalists views in all cases ( he holds traditional Western views like Putin as dictator, China is bad and Bibi is good etc. and other domestic issues too), I watch his video's once in a while, as he presents the arguments as data point that allows me to make my own opinions.

Here is the video:

 

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Hmm... It is too quick. I guess, they are getting ready to announce the repeal of special status to Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti under ‘house arrest’; restrictions in Kashmir

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Mehbooba Mufti would not be allowed to move out of their houses in view of strict security measures that would come into force on Sunday midnight, officials told news agency PTI, hours after the two leaders, along with other politicians, attended an all-party meeting that resolved to seek an audience with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the security situation in the state.

Authorities imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which bars the assembly of more than four persons, from midnight in Srinagar. They would remain in place till further orders, prohibiting public movement and public meetings. Educational institutes will remain closed but people delivering essential services will have to produce their identity cards on demand, a government order said. There was no curfew though.

Police officials did not confirm that Mufti and Omar Abdullah were placed under house arrest.

“I was not allowed by police to go inside the house of former CM [Mufti]. I was told by officials neither I can go inside the house nor anybody from inside the house of former CM is allowed to come out,” said PDP youth wing president Waheed ur Rehman.

Late at night, Abdullah posted on Twitter that he believed that he was placed “under house arrest from midnight tonight & the process has already started for other mainstream leaders”.

He appealed to the people in the Valley to stay calm, and added: “...No way of knowing if this is true but if it is then I’ll see all of you on the other side of whatever is in store. Allah save us...”

Mufti posted: “In such difficult times, I’d like to assure our people that come what may, we are in this together & will fight it out. Nothing should break our resolve to strive for what’s rightfully ours.”

 

[seek10]

Government to bolster security in Jammu and Kashmir over new threat

The Indian Army said on Saturday it repelled an attempt by a mixed group of Pakistani soldiers and terrorists to attack an army post along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector, killing five to seven intruders.
...
The Union government has decided to scale up the presence of defence forces in Jammu and Kashmir to prepare for a possible threat arising from increased influence of the Pakistan-backed Taliban once US troops withdraw from Afghanistan, people aware of the developments said on Sunday.

The situation in Kashmir, and the ascendency of the Taliban and fellow jihadists in Kabul as a fallout of the future US withdrawal from Afghanistan, were among the issues discussed between the home minister, national security adviser Ajit Doval, home secretary Rajiv Gauba and additional secretary (Kashmir) Gyanesh Kumar at Parliament House on Sunday, top government officials said on condition of anonymity.

The Indian Army said on Saturday it repelled an attempt by a mixed group of Pakistani soldiers and terrorists to attack an army post along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector, killing five to seven intruders.
...
With India anticipating the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government feels that the biggest impact of the rise of fundamentalist forces in Kabul will be on Kashmir, an official said.

National security planners have reviewed how Harkat-ul-Ansar (parent of the Jaish-e-Mohammed) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) camps had shifted to Khost in eastern Afghanistan under the protection of the then Taliban regime. The Khost camp of the al Qaeda was bombed by US cruise missiles in August 1998 under directions of then President Bill Clinton.

The threat of terrorism in Kashmir could increase just as it did after the Taliban took control of Kabul in 1996, the official added. The rise of the Taliban in the past lead to terror attacks by jihadists in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the IC-814 hijacking by the Harkat-ul-Ansar.

“We expect the US to virtually leave Afghanistan to the Pakistan-supported Taliban through some power-sharing agreement… And this will happen very soon, with talks between the US and Taliban already on in Qatar,” said another senior official. The fallout of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan will be a subject of discussion when Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets US President Donald Trump next month, the officials added.

Around 25,000 -30,000 troops have already been deployed in the state over the last week, according to people aware of the deployment.

While Indian security forces are prepared for the new challenge, the government is also thinking about what political steps can be taken in Jammu and Kashmir, including conducting state elections this winter, the officials said.
...

Mufti earlier said the leaders of various political parties decided to meet at a hotel, but the police did not allow any political meeting there.


She said the Centre was not bothered to speak on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We had made an effort to tell the people of this country and the government about the consequences if they toy with Articles 35A and 370 (of the Constitution). We made an appeal too, but no assurance has been given yet from the Centre. They are not bothered to say anything, to say that everything will be alright,” Mufti said.

Governor Satya Pal Malik has dismissed reports that preparations are being made for an announcement on Article 35A and Article 370 or on the trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir by creating three states of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, as has been rumoured in the state.

Article 35A reserves government employment and property ownership to permanent residents of the state. Article 370 confers special status on Kashmir.

 

[seek10]

Well, It happened what every body suspecting w.r.t Kashmir. They removed special status to the Jammu & kashmir state and made them into 2 union territories - Jammu& Kashmir , Ladhak

Article 370 on Kashmir scrapped, govt says fixing historical blunder

Movement of several Kashmir political leaders such as former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been restricted by the administration which has also imposed restrictions on movement of public.

www.hindustantimes.com

Jammu and Kashmir divided into two UTs. Here’s what it means

A union territory is an administrative division governed directly by the union government.

What is UT with a legislature?

They have partial statehood status and have a legislature and a Lieuenant Governor. Such UTs have an elected chief minister and a council of ministers. L-G is a representative of the President and acts on the aid and recommendation of the Council of Ministers but he does not need the approval of the Council of Ministers on every matter. In case of Delhi, the government exercises no power in the domain of land, law, and police. The LG has full powers to decide on these matters.

What is UT without legislature?

Such UTs do not have a chief ministers and are ruled directly by the Union government throught the L-G who runs the day to day administration through his team of advisers.

Union Territories with legislatures:

Puducherry

National Capital Territory of Delhi

Jammu and Kashmir (As proposed by the union government)


Union Territories without legislatures

Chandigarh.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Daman and Diu

Lakshadweep

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Ladakh (As proposed by the union government)

I guess, given the Western-media's Anti-Modi stance, Kashmir issue will suddenly be given lot of coverage.

 

[seek10]

Understanding this development shouldn't be a surprise given the Modi's temperament(to some extent BJP's ) . Here is one video (which I translated for English subtitles, as i found it to be insightful) of interview during the elections which lays out his passions, style of functioning, salesmanship and views.

First time, when I watched this video, I took it with grain of salt. But after watching election results and how his assessment of situation is so right on the spot ( w.r.t how people react ), I have no choice except to take his words seriously.

Let's see what will happen after initial inevitable violence and protests (mainly from local political establishment). Does J&K support people support him as he claims to come back to mainstream?. He has an extraordinary success with people of Gujarat and India in changing the people's expectations and completely changing the existing political dynamics.

 

[seek10]

Some thoughts and developments:

World's reaction: No reaction from the world to this event. Even US reactions is 'Don't cross line of control' to both parties.

China and Muslim countries silent, Pakistan alone protests Kashmir move

Pakistani analysts demandg to know whether Imran Khan and Donald Trump discussed New Delhi's plans for J&K during their meeting in Washington on July 22.

www.business-standard.com

Beijing has remained silent, even though New Delhi has changed the status of Ladakh. China claims large parts of Ladakh, such as the Aksai Chin plateau.

In 1963, Pakistan ceded to China a 6,000 square kilometre chunk of J&K, called the Shaksgam Valley. In countering New Delhi’s protests at the occupation of its claimed territory, China states that its control of Shaksgam is contingent on the final resolution of the J&K dispute. However, Shaksgam will now fall within the union territory of Ladakh, not in J&K.

In contrast to the silence from the international powers, the Indian notification on J&K has been reported widely in the world media, including amongst the lead stories in BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera.

For average indians who looked the violence in Kashmir and ruckus Pakistan makes at international forums for 3 decades with a sense of helplessness, it is a obvious relief.

Modi Govt.'s take :

In his speech Home minister blamed Article 370 responsible:

- for its Poverty despite sending more than $30 billion dollars since 2000, sending more than 8 times money per citizen.
- Despite being the natural beauty( considered as heaven on earth), land prices are 10 times less than the comparative places in elsewhere in India.
- Corruption completely out of control, no auditing is allowed, No body can do business without the blessing of 3 families that ruled, No land purchases allowed for industries . without industry, unemployment is very high. Who will go there for business, if outside businessmen can't own it.
-Culture: If Marathi's, Gujarathi's, Tamil,Telugu etc. can retain the culture being part of Indian Mainstream, why can't J &K maintain its culture being in mainstream. It only protects the few families that rule the Kashmir.
- No doctors or professionals or businessman from outside wants to go there as they can't own any thing there
- As per PM's scheme's each citizen can spend Rs 500K ( $8K) for health. But, there is no proper doctors or hospitals to even utilize the facilities, No doctor wants to go there. No private hospitals are allowed.
- Right to education exist in India, but not in J&K. Article 370 blocks Indian rules to be applied there.
- If Kashmiri marry outsider, their spouse or child can't get property or inheritance benefits.
- It is against dalits and OBC's, tribals etc. They don't get reservations.
- 41,894 people killed due to terrorism since 1990 to 2018. Policies didn't change. Same policies since Nehru times
- As per General Zia's comment in 1986, as long as Article 370 is there, Kashmiri youth will never integrated into India.
- Gujarath and Rajasthan has the borders with Pakistan too. But the youth in these states doesn't become terrorists. Article 370 makes it happen.
- Nehru said it is A370 temporary measure and it is 70 years and no body even touched it.
- Without removing the A370, terrorism can't be removed. This is not in the benefit of J&K or India or Kashmir Valley
- We will make it state again once right situation arises.
- It exist for 70 years. No improvement. But give me 5 years, we will make it most developed state in India.
- We will tranform the youth in 5 years. You Go see it. Then you will realise it.
- Final solution takes some time, but it will have to start with removal of 370

According to some estimates, At best, 5% of the J & K population really support the Anti-India stance. Modi Govt.'s premise is J&K will be bombarded with development that will see development in 5 years that it didn't achieve in 70 years. Having had 17 years of experience in this area, if that happens, nothing to be surprised.

Let's get Mad.

FACTS ABOUT KASHMIR TERRORISM. State of J&K Under India ( Area wise 101380 sq Km) Excluding POK. Kashmir : 15% Jammu : 26% Ladakh : 59% 85,000 sq Km comprising 85% area are not Muslim...

www.facebook.com

Political obsolescence: There are few (3 ) local political dynasties that ruled for 60 years, will have hard time under union territory status. They are not alone in the sense Modi 'Developmental politics' made many vote-bank politics obsolete and made them scrambling for relevancy. Ex: BSP and SP that ruled largest state UP during last 20 years, Chowthala's dynasty in Haryana, communist parties in West Bengal (and Soon Kerala though it as not due to Modi). Modi's Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without strings of ideologies actually made them popular and helped his credibility to very high level.

Fake claims of Land purchases: Joining the mainstream comes with its own rules. Any body can buy land at market prices (of demand and supply), new reservation systems etc. There are lot of fake news that every body rushing to buy the land there. Here is one

Whenever this type of land splits happens, demand goes up and down depending on the location as it happened in telugu state Andhra Pradesh(A.P) split. There was demand for splitting the state for political reasons for more than decade by unhappy politicians for their advantage. Whenever split news comes, land prices go up 100 times, when nothing happened, it drops down disappointing the people who bought at high prices. Of course, there were rumors that so and so politician reached so and so politician to make a demand for separate state. This saga continued for literally for more than a decade, before it finally was really split to 2. In the process, you will find more unhappy people who purchased than sold.

 

[angelburst29]

Thousands flee disputed Kashmir region after alert; India says it killed militants

Thousands of Indian tourists, pilgrims and workers began leaving the disputed region of Kashmir after a local government alert over possible militant attacks, and India said it killed at least five militants who were trying to attack its forces.

Kashmir turmoil rises as India restricts movement, regional leaders fear arrest

The disputed region of Kashmir was thrown into further turmoil in the early hours of Monday as regional leaders said they feared being arrested and Indian officials imposed restrictions in the city of Srinagar and suspended mobile data services in parts of the state.

U.S. closely following events in Kashmir, expresses rights concerns: spokeswoman

The U.S. State Department said on Monday it was closely following events in Kashmir after India said it was revoking the special status of the territory and expressed concern about reports of detentions.

India introduces resolution to end Kashmir's special status

India's Hindu nationalist-led government introduced a measure in parliament on Monday to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir, the most far-reaching move on the disputed Himalayan region in nearly seven decades.

Protests across Pakistan over India's 'illegal' move in contested Kashmir

Protests were held across Pakistan on Monday as the government said it strongly condemned India's constitutional changes in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir claimed by both countries.

India isolates Kashmir by shutting down communications as big change announced

India's imposition of an unprecedented communications blackout on Jammu and Kashmir hours before stripping its only Muslim-majority state of special rights in place for decades was sharply criticized on Monday by media and rights groups.

U.N. chief urges restraint by India, Pakistan over Kashmir

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, his spokesman said on Monday, after India revoked the special status of Kashmir, the Himalayan region that has long been a flashpoint in ties with neighboring Pakistan.

Factbox: Kashmir's history - India's revoking of special status in context

The Indian government on Monday revoked the special status of Kashmir in a bid to fully integrate its only Muslim-majority region with the rest of the country, the most far-reaching move on the troubled Himalayan territory in nearly seven decades.

India scraps special status for Kashmir in step Pakistan calls illegal

India on Monday revoked the special status of Kashmir, the Himalayan region that has long been a flashpoint in ties with neighboring Pakistan, moving to grasp its only Muslim-majority region more tightly.

Pakistan army chief says military will 'go to any extent' to support Kashmir cause

Pakistan's army chief said on Tuesday the country's military will "go to any extent" to support people in the contested Kashmir region, after arch rival India revoked special status in its portion of the territory.

India's removal of Kashmir special status may face legal challenges: lawyers

India's move on Monday to strip Kashmir of special rights is likely to face legal challenges, constitutional experts and Supreme Court lawyers said, with some questioning the legality of the route used to make the change.

China says India move on Kashmir violates its territorial sovereignty
China said on Tuesday it opposed India's decision to revoke the special status of Kashmir, a disputed region sandwiched among India, Pakistan and China, because it undermined China's territorial sovereignty.

Modi's 'bold' Kashmir move draws praise, criticism in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to revoke special status for the disputed Kashmir region is a bold gamble to end a three-decades old armed revolt and draw the territory closer to the rest of India, the country's media said on Tuesday.

India's Ladakh Buddhist enclave jubilant at new status but China angered

The Buddhist enclave of Ladakh cheered India's move to hive it off from Jammu and Kashmir state, a change that could spur tourism and help New Delhi counter China's influence in the contested western Himalayas.

Displaced Hindus from Kashmir eye return after India's scrapping of special status

Indian Hindus forced out of Muslim-majority Kashmir decades ago are jubilant at the government's decision to allow all citizens the right to settle there, with many considering an eventual return home if conditions are secure.

Pakistan mulls increasing pressure on India over Kashmir

Pakistan said on Tuesday it was considering further diplomatic and military pressure on India after the Hindu-majority nation stripped its portion of contested Kashmir of special status.

China, Pakistan slam India's move to change Kashmir's special status

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to change the status of Kashmir ran into fierce opposition from China and its ally Pakistan on Tuesday as the disputed territory lay under a telecoms blackout to forestall protests for a second day.

Veteran Indian politician Sushma Swaraj passes away

Veteran Indian politician Sushma Swaraj, who most recently served as minister of external affairs, passed away on Tuesday, following a cardiac arrest.

 

[seek10]

Veteran Indian politician Sushma Swaraj passes away

Veteran Indian politician Sushma Swaraj, who most recently served as minister of external affairs, passed away on Tuesday, following a cardiac arrest.

She is considered as a woman who converted "twitter to a helpline" for 25 million strong Indian diaspora who are used to hellish customer service. She is considered as a star politicians with many first's ( youngest cabinet minister in state etc.) to her credit and instrumental in making the Modi's foreign policy very powerful. Here last tweet( which went viral) before passing away reflects the general public sentiment regarding Kashmir A 370 removal.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1158737840752037889

Modi is in full flow to close many contentious issues( since Independence) which no body thought they will be solved at any time.

• Ayodhya issue: It looks, it may be closed by end of the year as supreme court started daily hearing.
• Uniform Civil Code: Currently separate civil codes for Muslims and others. No body will be surprised, if he declares uniform civil code soon. what is interesting is that EU nations going for separate civil code(sort of) for muslims, while India struggled with different civil codes for 70 years.

Mean while, LOT of fake news with recycled images of past and elsewhere are getting circulated as latest images from Kashmir.
Fact Check: No, Indian Army didn’t burn down houses in Kashmir
Old video of lathicharge in Bihar shared as policemen beating up Kashmiris
Fact Check: Old, unrelated images shared as 'plight' of Kashmir after Article 370 revoked

 

[stellar]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to change the status of Kashmir ran into fierce opposition from China and its ally Pakistan on Tuesday as the disputed territory lay under a telecoms blackout to forestall protests for a second day.

All just smacks of the same old western scheme of destruction.

With telecom blackouts the MSM is free to spew forth fake news which are, of course, unverifiable on the ground. Provides initial cover for transfer of western financed radicals from afghanistan to pakistan. Here they provide sporadic fighting as distraction while others enter china and beeline for, say, urumqi.
That, in turn, resurrects the narrative of pakistan supporting terrorists and a need for regime change; on china's doorstep no less.

Why India denies they requested US to approach pakistan for talks. Plausible deniability? A dirty way for India to reclaim a territory which, while involving forcible integration, will likely end in fleeing of the undesirables or suicides by alleged radicalisation and that whole old story so well known. At the same time they may gain a few brownie points for not toeing the US line in the recent past.

The scary bit that crossed my mind is that a dirty nuke could be used at some point because both disputing parties are well armed with such devices and the actual perpetrator could sit back and say "wasn' me".

 

[seek10]

Here is a video of geopolitical rulers of India over time. Not much different than any other regions like Europe