Integrity Score 240
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Chapter 3 continues…
Thus, the disturbing trend from the American, Israeli and Indian point of view is the significant Islamization of the main Pakistani instrument of state power, the Army of Pakistan.
The implications for India’s national security lie in the convergence of interests amongst the Jihadis, the Army, ISI and Taliban on issues ranging nuclear proliferation, to terror groups, counterfeit money rackets, drug trafficking, and jihad in Kashmir. There is growing evidence of the nexus, between this convergence and the rise of terrorism in India.
In June 2005, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman, Yasin Malik, said in a statement, ironically made to compliment Pakistan’s Minister Sheikh Rashid, that: “Sheikh Ahmed Rashid had played “a great role” for Kashmir’s liberation. He used to support the frontline jihadis from Kashmir but few know of his contribution.”
India’s Intelligence sources confirm that Rashid had rented his farmhouse in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the ISI which was being used by the Intelligence agency for harbouring militants that Malik had referred to. The PoK-based JKLF Chief Amanuallah Khan had also claimed: “We had a gentleman’s agreement, an oral sort of agreement. I was given assurances that the ISI was all out for the independence of Jammu and Kashmir”
But it will not be easy for President Musharaff to snap the Army- ISI-Jihadi nexus. On 27 March 2007, for example, Jihadis had ambushed 5 senior ISI officers who were on tour in Bajaur area of North Pakistan. All five were killed. It was a warning from the Jihadis to the ISI for listening to the then President Musharaff for neutralizing Taliban. This animosity has been intensified with the storming of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad, by the Pakistan Army. Despite this looming danger, there, however, appears no change in Pakistan’s intentions as regards J&K.
The terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, PoK and Northern Areas remain intact, and active support to terrorist groups operating in J&K continues unabated.
To be continued…