The fourteenth of February is known as a day of love. Valentine's day is celebrated around the world however; in 2019 in India it represented anything but love. On the fourteenth of February more than 40 soldiers were killed in a blast (may they rest in peace) in the disputed area of Kashmir. It has been said to be a suicide terrorist attack. A young local Kashmiri school dropout rammed his car filled with explosives into the convoy. The Pakistan based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad, has claimed responsibility for the attack. It is said that the group radicalized and influenced the 19 year old to carry out the attack. This attack, which is the worst attack on the Indian armed forces in over a decade, has shocked India.
After the attack-
After the incident PM Modi responded by sending out forces to search for the "mastermind" behind the attack. The Indian Government has said that he has been killed in a confrontation along with 5 other soldiers. The Indian government has implied that Pakistan has had a hand in these attacks. This would not be hard to believe. Pakistan has a long history with various terrorist groups. It has been accused on countless occasions by the US and even the UN of assisting or 'harbouring' terrorist groups. However, Pakistan has denied any involvement in the issue. It had even said that it would be willing to retaliate if a situation demands it. The elections are coming up in India and PM Modi is willing to take even more noticeable action to help him at the ballot. This incident has highlighted the ongoing divisions between India and Pakistan that have been present ever since the partition.
The Partition-
It happened on the 15th of August 1947. As a "last minute" compromise the British separated what once was 'British India' into two separate states. These are the states we now know as India and Pakistan. The very fact that the partition was last minute should point out that it was not popular. Different people were used for various reasons, usually fuelled by nationalist flair. But, one thing was common they were angry. The anger showed on the streets during the riots and the mass killings that came after. In the end the partition left both countries worse of, and sowed the seeds for the hatred that would define the two countries relationship for decades to come.
Ruined reputations and relations-
India and Pakistan are neighbours but they never really got along. However, as time went on the newer generation is distant from the hatred. They did not feel the pain of their grandparents when they had to leave everything except the clothes on their backs and flee, or be killed for their religion. They are more open to new relations and most of the general public is usually "too busy to really care. However, it is when such incidents come that old enmity is amplified. Pakistan has a bad reputation for its relationship with terrorism. It has been accused of harbouring and providing for terrorists on countless occasions by countless countries and international organizations. Therefore, the accusation that the state had a role to play in the recent attack is not unbelievable. Sometimes, politics play huge roles in these issues. With Pakistan's newly elected PM and India's elections coming up this attack was bound to become entangled in politics.
Politics-
The leaders on both sides have a lot to say and show. PM Modi in India has to hold ground and show himself as the strong voice of India. He has to do something memorable even if it may be unnecessary. He has promised to bring down fury on the ones responsible for this attack. Of, course the PM on the other side of the border; Imran Khan did not sit quietly either. He warned India not to do anything it may regret and promised action. India and Pakistan are not the only countries that have tried to politicize this tragedy. Saudi Arabia has volunteered to help be the mediator between the two countries. This came after it promised billions of dollars of investment in both countries after a visit by Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
Saudi Arabia-
MBS had tried to play his words in a way that would please both of his consecutive hosts. While in Pakistan he applauded Pakistan's efforts for dialogue with India. He also condemned the politicization of the UN regime for designating terrorists. This was indirectly criticizing India for trying to get JeM chief Masood Azhar sanctioned. However, while MBS walked onto the red carpets rolled out by India he condemned the attack and even said that terrorism should not be used as an instrument for state policy. Saudi Arabia has close relations with both India and Pakistan however, its willingness to play the mediator should be questioned. After all Saudi Arabia itself is not really the prime example of a balanced and fledgling democracy. Especially, after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi for which (some reports say) MBS himself may be to blame. Perhaps MBS may think that solving one of the world's oldest enmities would win Saudi Arabia some points on the global stage and perhaps global politicians and investors would 'let bygones be bygones'. However, what happened with Mr. Jamal cannot and should not be forgotten and as far as helping the situation with India and Pakistan goes, it's not going to be that simple.
Revenge-
Whether or not Pakistan had a hand to play in this attack it will be hard to convince most of India of anything else. This could prove to be an opportunity for Mr. Modi to prove his nationalism and leave his mark as PM (other than making Indians stand in long lines after the demonetization). This is an opportunity to the point that conspiracy theorists have even suggested that perhaps the attack was staged or even (gasp) deliberately done. India has hiked tariffs on all good imported from Pakistan to 200 percent. It even revoked its most favoured nation status for trade (it's mainly a symbolic measure). When that was not seen to be enough India sent fighter jets at Pakistan bombing "terrorist enclaves". Pakistan responded by sending its own fighter jets. Both countries have claimed to shot down each other's jets. Pakistan captured an Indian pilot and then let him go as a sign of peace. This kind of aggression has not been shown since the last 1975 war. Both countries now hold Nuclear weapons. This aggression may turn out to be extremely dangerous. Trends are coming up on Twitter like #SayNoToWar which is being seen as a Global demand for peace. The UN has urged both countries to make peace in talks held at the UN. The Phulwari attack was a tragedy. There is no arguing otherwise. However, the only way to respond to that is peacefully. As wisely said by the father of India or bapu ji, "An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind".