These days, the market of discussions in Indian strategic circles has become heated regarding the intense mass movement, protests and anger of the local citizens going on in Pakistan occupied Kashmir i.e. PoK. Meanwhile, a well-known retired military officer and defense expert has given an extremely sharp, candid and shocking statement on the current developments in PoK, which has created a stir in the entire political and strategic corridor. While issuing a warning regarding the struggle of the people there, the retired Major has bluntly said that we should never forget that the agitators or the local people may have taken to the streets against Pakistan, but ultimately all of them are fundamentalists and will support Pakistan when difficult times come. His idea has given rise to a new debate among India’s security policy and strategic analysts whether India should blindly support this movement of PoK or should exercise extreme caution.
Ground reality of smoldering spark in PoK and huge anger of local people
For the last few months, in major areas of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) like Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Rawalkot and Gilgit-Baltistan, the general public has come out on the streets against the high inflation, acute shortage of electricity and water, severe lack of basic facilities and economic and political exploitation by the Pakistani rulers. People are openly raising anti-Pakistan slogans and protesting against the oppressive attitude of the Pakistani regime. Seeing all these pictures and videos, sympathy or hope arises in the minds of many analysts and common people of India that perhaps this region is moving towards independence from Pakistan or there is a possibility of joining with India. To break this illusion, experienced and retired officers of the Indian Army have started uncovering the ground truth and have made it clear that the dissatisfaction visible on the surface is not completely pro-India.
Big warning from retired major: Beware of ideological fanaticism and anti-India mentality
In his strong statement, this retired Major of the Indian Army has given special emphasis on the fact that the geographical boundaries of PoK and the political atmosphere there have been the laboratory of Pakistani intelligence agency ISI and radical organizations for decades. Even though today the youth and citizens there are expressing their anger against the increased electricity bills, tax burden and administrative mismanagement, but their ideological upbringing and religious-political fabric has been completely imbued with anti-India and fundamentalist ideology. The officer clearly believes that if under any circumstances a major ideological conflict breaks out against India or any other external factor, then people associated with these local movements will ultimately be seen standing with Pakistan due to their religious and ideological identity. This is why there is a strong need for India’s strategic and diplomatic agencies to adopt utmost maturity, caution and a realistic approach while assessing these demonstrations by PoK.