ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategy of accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism in India to gain electoral support has once again taken center stage, with recent incidents raising concerns of false flag operations aimed at diverting attention and achieving political goals.
Reports from Indian media on September 16 revealed that several officers and soldiers of the Indian Army were killed in an encounter with “terrorists” in the Uri sector of Baramulla. Just days earlier, on September 12, news of a similar alleged operation by Indian forces in Anantnag had surfaced.
The term “false flag operation” is being used to describe what critics claim is a deliberate attempt by India to divert the world’s attention from ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by falsely accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism.
It is suggested that in preparation for upcoming Indian elections, the Modi government has been willing to sacrifice both citizens and military officers. Some allege that India may be seeking to repeat an incident like the Pulwama attack for its own political purposes, citing numerous reports and audio/video evidence from international media outlets suggesting Indian involvement in activities along the Line of Control that further political ambitions.
Sources claim that creating a war frenzy through false encounters and fabricated news has become a habit for the Modi government. Evidence from Indian media has also been cited to support claims that the government is attempting to terminate the ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control.
As the government faces criticism for its handling of growing unrest in Rajouri and Anantnag, it is suggested that India is trying to deflect attention by placing blame on Pakistan.
Recently, the killing of five Indian soldiers in the Rajouri sector of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was seen as another attempt by Modi to bolster his political image by using the blood of his own soldiers. Critics argue that India’s continuous ceasefire violations aim to maintain a state of war on the Line of Control and divert attention from internal problems.
However, images and videos from residents living near the Line of Control have contradicted Indian government claims. According to these residents, there has been no firing or military operations on either side of the Line of Control, and the region remains calm.
Indian analysts are also raising questions about why Modi would be celebrating if the situation on the border were indeed so serious and Indian soldiers were losing their lives.
Critics suggest that Modi’s government has a history of using similar tactics to achieve political goals before elections, including making false accusations of terrorism against Pakistan and then taking credit for eliminating supposed terrorists.
Prominent figures like Satya Pal Malik and several parliamentary leaders in India have already warned the public that incidents resembling the Pulwama attack may occur again in the lead-up to the elections.
Residents living near the Line of Control on the Indian side of the defacto border have expressed their relief that there is no terrorism or firing in the area and have dismissed these claims as false rumours.
Meanwhile, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, General Counsel for Sikh for Justice (SFJ), has stated that the killings of Indian soldiers in Occupied Kashmir should not be classified as acts of terrorism but rather as casualties resulting from the conflict with indigenous Kashmiri freedom fighters.
In a video statement, Pannun emphasised the right of Kashmiri freedom fighters to seek independence, drawing a parallel to the aspirations of the people in Punjab, including Sikhs who desire autonomy from what they view as unlawful Indian occupation.
Pannun warned India that if a peaceful resolution is not sought in Punjab, the situation may escalate into armed conflict, for which India would bear the responsibility. He also pointed out the delicate situation in Kashmir, where the Indian army has been accused of instilling fear among innocent Kashmiris and targeting freedom fighters.
While the conflict is currently confined to Kashmir, Pannun anticipates that it may extend to Punjab in the future as part of an effort to free Punjab from Indian control.
