SRINAGAR: The massive infiltration from Pakistan in the state of Kashmir is indicative of an impending war, the governor of the state General Krishna Rao has observed. The fresh militancy in the state also does not portend well. He said that heavy infiltration into Kashmir was usually followed by an armed attack.
Speaking at the civil military liaison conference Gen Rao said that this had been the case before the 1965, 1971 and even the 1947 wars between the two countries.
General Rao has held senior command positions in Kashmir while in the army and his assessment cannot be underrated. The Indian Intelligence agencies in Srinagar and Delhi also support this view.
Of concern to India is the growing militancy in the state aided by what they claim to be Pakistani saboteurs. Indian intelligence reports say over 10,000 Kashmir youth are to undergo military training in camps across the border. Tougher measures on the border and the change of leadership in Islambad had slowed the subversive campaign but not to a great extent, the reports said.
It is in view of this that the army has been deployed in greater strength in the state and Border Security Force patrolling intensified with blanket search and seize powers. The state government has yet to approve this measure.
Intelligence agencies do not view the big military exercise being conducted by the Pakistan army as part of its annual training exercise but as an excuse for a buildup nears the border.
Observers in Srinagar also feel that MS Benazir Bhutto is under pressure from her opponents, especially the Punjab chief minister, Nawaz Sharieff. She may embark on an adventurist course to push him to the wall, they said.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 13, 1989
