Cross border terrorism has always been a significant issue for the country and politics. The intruders and infiltrators are a matter of prime concern. Nevertheless, with the formation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 3.0 government, the sudden surge in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one month has raised many questions.
Since the formation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third government, there has been a surge in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir over the past month, prompting several questions. One major query is whether terrorists and Pakistan, the neighboring country, have been emboldened by Modi’s failure to secure a majority on his own. Additionally, there are concerns whether terrorists aim to disrupt the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir, given the enthusiastic voter turnout in the valley during the recent Lok Sabha elections, which dampened their morale. Moreover, terrorists appear frustrated by India’s steadfast stance on reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The surge in terrorist activities began immediately after PM Modi’s third-term oath-taking and shows no signs of abating.
On 9th June itself, a bus was attacked in the valley in which 9 people were killed. After this, terrorists attacked officers’ vehicles and police posts on different days in the month of June itself. After the increasing incidents, PM Modi held a high level meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officers and gave strict instructions. After this, the army and police took action and targeted the terrorists. But on last Monday, terrorists ambushed military vehicles in Kathua and carried out the biggest attack in the last one month. Five soldiers were martyred in this attack. Terrorists carried out four attacks in the month of June. Experts believe that these attacks cannot happen without Pakistan’s help. Because Monday’s attack is being considered a big attack. Actually, the situation in Kashmir has changed since the removal of Article 370. The number of tourists has increased to a record level. The atmosphere in the valley had started becoming normal. There was also a huge reduction in terrorist incidents. According to the government, between 2019 and 2023, a total of 579 terrorist incidents took place in which 818 terrorists were killed. Earlier, the number used to be in thousands.
A total of 43 incidents took place in 2023. Whereas in 2024, 22 terrorist incidents have taken place so far. Half a dozen incidents have taken place in the last one month itself. In a way, terrorists are directly challenging the Modi 3.0 government. Although steps are being taken by the government, but the biggest question is how the terrorists’ morale has increased again. There is no doubt that whatever coalition governments were in place before 2014, the morale of terrorists was always high. The entire Jammu and Kashmir was considered a disturbed area. But the situation changed after the formation of the majority government in 2014. Although there were big attacks like Pulwama, the Modi government destroyed terrorist hideouts in Pakistan by conducting surgical and air strikes and gave a direct message to the whole world that India now attacks even inside homes.
In Modi 2.0, the government gained international attention by abolishing Article 370 in Kashmir, a move that fundamentally reshaped the region’s geopolitical landscape. This decision, which ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, was hailed as historic by supporters but drew strong opposition from parties like Congress, who criticized it as a political maneuver rather than a move in the national interest.
During its second term, the Modi government undertook several significant reforms, including the ban on triple talaq, a contentious practice in Muslim personal law. Additionally, it proposed legislation to provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, aiming to enhance gender representation in the political sphere. The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, facilitated by a Supreme Court verdict, was another milestone achievement during this period.
Despite these accomplishments, opposition parties employed strategies centered on caste and reservation politics, preventing the BJP from securing an outright majority in various state elections and favoring coalition formations instead. This political landscape has fostered ongoing debates about governance, secularism, and the balance between central authority and regional autonomy.
Despite opposition, the Modi government is focused on its Kashmir policy, emphasizing development and planning elections for better governance. As India faces internal and external challenges, the role of opposition parties in shaping national policies remains crucial for its democracy. Amid political dynamics, actions like Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Manipur and Mallikarjun Kharge’s comments on China during PM Modi’s Russia trip have raised concerns. Critics say these actions may undermine India’s foreign policy and embolden adversaries like Pakistan and terrorists. Despite challenges, the Modi government remains committed to its Kashmir policy and is preparing for elections to tackle terrorism. Experts advise the opposition to avoid actions that could weaken national unity and increase external threats.
*Congress expresses grave concern over increased terror attacks in Jammu region*
· Extends full support, cooperation to govt to deal firmly with situation
NEW DELHI, July 9: The Congress today expressed grave concern over the increased number of terror attacks in the Jammu region of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which otherwise has remained, by and large, peaceful so far.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here today, party MP and CWC member Deepender Singh Hooda referred to the latest terror attack in Kathua district of Jammu region in which five soldiers were martyred and five others were injured. He observed that the government was not taking the matter as seriously as it needs to be taken. “As a responsible Opposition, we want to remind the government to take it seriously”, the Congress spokesperson said.
Hooda pointed out, this was the fifth such attack in the last one month in the Jammu region, which so far had remained mostly peaceful as compared to Kashmir region. He said, similar attack took place in Rajouri in December 2023 in which four soldiers were martyred. Besides, a bus carrying pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine was attacked in which 9 pilgrims were killed on June 9. He also referred to the terror attack in Kulgam in Kashmir region, in which 8 people, including two soldiers, were killed.
Quoting the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi saying that terror attacks can only be dealt with firm action and not just hollow words and speeches, Hooda said, the terrorists needed to be answered in their own language. He said, whatever steps need to be taken to deal with the situation, the Congress, as a responsible Opposition, was ready to support and cooperate with the government in every way.
The Congress spokesperson said that what was more concerning was that the terrorists had extended their area of activities from Kashmir to Jammu region. Quoting different reports in public domain, he said, since January 2023, the proportion of the number of civilians and security personnel killed in terror-related incidents had almost doubled and was higher than what it was 20 years ago in 2004.
Blaming Pakistan for orchestrating such attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Hooda said, it (Pakistan) was trying to divert the attention of its people from its own failures like unemployment and bankruptcy.
Replying to a question, he observed, the government should take whatever measures it thinks are appropriate. He assured Congress party’s support and cooperation in the interest of national security. He said it was the right time to give the befitting reply to Pakistan.
