Escalating risks

Early Tuesday morning India staged what it is calling a surgical strike involving Mirage aircraft inside Pakistan’s territory, violating its airspace. Indian claims that it hit a Jaish-e-Muhammad camp in the area and killed the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, Yousuf Azhar, along with 350 others, have been denied by Pakistan. In a strongly-worded press briefing, the DG ISPR has labelled the Indian account a lie, said local and international journalists would be taken to the area to see realty for themselves and that Pakistan would strike back in a manner it chose. The Pakistan military had stated that the invading aircraft were chased away and forced to hastily dump their ammunition in Balakot.The incident has immediately led to increased hype in both countries. Nationalist feelings had already been running high following the Pulwama attack and its aftermath. The Indian media, in particular, has continued its virulent attacks on Pakistan. In this, it is backed by the Indian government. While the sentiments of people are obviously emotional at this time, it is imperative that calm and restraint be demonstrated. War benefits no one, and it is the people of both countries in the region which will suffer if there is any further escalation in the war frenzy. Since the Pulwama attacks Pakistan has attempted to offer peace to India. But the response from India has been more aggressive. Analysts have linked Indian aggression to the upcoming Indian election and attempts at point-scoring by the BJP and Prime Minister Modi whose party has suffered several major defeats in Indian state elections.In response to the attack, more details of which will become available after media teams reach the Balakot area, an emergency meeting of the National Security Council has been held and Foreign Minster Shah Mahmood Qureshi has in a press statement said that Pakistan reserves the right to retaliate at a time and manner of its choosing. We hope that things don’t come to this pass, though Pakistan’s reaction is perfectly understandable under the circumstances. A joint session of parliament has been summoned and the announcement that opposition parties will be taken into confidence is a step in the right direction. Certainly, we need national unity and discussion across the political divide at this juncture. It is also essential that the international community be involved at this point.Amidst all the statements and zeal the people of Kashmir must not be forgotten. It is they who will suffer worst if there is an increase in strains between India and Pakistan or a further buildup of war-like feelings. For the sake of these people, who have already suffered grave hardships and human rights abuses at the hands of Indian security forces for many years, we must hope that voices calling for negotiations on both sides of the border prevail and there is recognition that jingoism and war rhetoric only make things worse.

from The News International - Editorial https://ift.tt/2VpH277