The plan to take over J&K was drafted in the mid-80s. The blueprint was prepared by the Pakistan chief in 1984 to aid and abet militancy in Kashmir. Amanullah Khan, chairman of the J&K Liberation Front, was consulted, Mohammad Rauf Khan, senior vice-president of the JKLF a terrorist outfit since banned, was sent to the valley in 1978-88 to mobilize youth to join Pakistan camps across the Line of Control of arms training. Over 20,000 persons infiltrated into Pakistan.
In April 1988, General Zia-ul-Haq , as Pakistan President, devised a new plan for Kashmir, which was code named as Operation Topac. The official goal of Pakistan continued to be liberation of Kashmir from India. But since, the Pakistan could not win wars that it had initiated against India, insurgency against the Kashmiri government was conceived. Operation Topac was conceived with three phases and it had a slogan “bleed the enemy with thousand cuts”.
A low level military conflict at porous border was sustained by Pakistan army to facilitate infiltration of trained militants, army personnel and others into the Kashmir. This infiltration operation was codenamed as “Operation Gibraltar”. The plan to create unrest in Kashmir began with indoctrination and India-hate propaganda. There were innocuous signs of militancy on the street walls where the most timid graffiti read: "Indian Dogs Go Back". These graffiti were soon replaced by street bandhs and protest rallies.
The Pakistan proactively trained frustrated youth, bribed and funded the so-called political and society leaders and subverted the law and order system in the State so much that the Indian Government had to send in the Army. The Pakistan had achieved first of its objectives early in the '90s. Kashmir had become an international issue with terrorism taking a deep root in its streets and by lanes. Orchestrated propaganda within and outside the country kept the Kashmir issue alive in international for an objective which gave Pakistan a fake legitimacy of being the underdog.
After pushing in militants, initially under the banner of JKLF, Pakistan floated several organisations like Hizb-ul-Maujahideen, Hizb-ul-Islam, Allah Tigers, Al-Umar Mujahideen, Muslim Mujahideen, Harkat Ul Ansar and Jamaat Hurriyat Conference. Besides funding, the Pakistan supplied both assault rifles and other sophisticated arms to the militants which included Draganov sniper rifles, anti-aircraft missiles and remote explosives. It also flooded the Valley with Improvised Explosive Devices which, till this date, continue to take a heavy toll on security forces deployed for counter-insurgency operations.
Pakistan is making a systematic effort to create anti-India sentiment among the people of Kashmir by spreading false propaganda against India. Pakistani radio and television channels deliberately spread hate and venom against India, its armed forces and other institutions to alter Kashmiri opinion. Pakistan has also assisted in providing logistic and material support in coordinating terrorist attacks in Punjab, J&K and other parts of India.
Major incidents of terror attacks by Islamic militants include several bomb blasts in Mubai from 1993 onwards, 2005 Delhi bombings, Indian parliament attack in 2001, Attack on Ramjanmabhoomi in 2005, Varanasi bombings in 2006 and in 2010, attack on Indian Institute of Science- Bangalore, attack on Aksharadham temple in Gujarat among many other smaller terror attacks across India.
Pakistani provocation reached a dangerous point with the December 13, 2001 attack on the Parliament. Within the Kashmir, terror attacks on military posts, police and civilians who cooperate with security agencies has become a daily affair. Protests and Bandhs against India are frequently seen. Curfew becomes necessary to maintain law and order. Systematic killing of minority Hindus and other people are routinely taken up by militant organizations and both state and central governments are unable to halt this trend.
Yearly Amaranath Yatra is targeted by militants. The pilgrims who come from all parts of India to J&K state are exploited in many ways along the route to the Yatra. Security threat is increasing for the people who participate in the Yatra.
Very sophisticated weapons, explosives and Improvised Electronic Devices (IED) are used by militants in their attack against people and security personnel.
On May 14, 2002, terrorists attacked family lines of an army camp in Kaluchak, Jammu district, killing 32 civilians including 11 women and 11 children. On June 25 2002, the Hizbul Mujahideen targeted troops engaged in sanitising the area near Chandanwari, the first major halt on the climb towards the shrine. Three soldiers were killed in the explosion. Earlier, on June 15, a grenade attack on pilgrims preparing to leave Jammu for Pahalgam left two dead. On July 24, five days after the Yatra began, 24 pilgrims, security force personnel and bystanders were injured in a similar attack at Anantnag. On July 30, a grenade attack in Anantnag killed a pilgrim and a taxi driver, and caused injuries to three persons. As recently as on March 20, 2003, Kashmiri Hindus living in Nadimarg, Jammu were targeted in which 24 Pundits, including 11 women and 2 children were massacred in cold blood.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks (often referred to as November 26 or 26/11) refers to simultaneous attack on various targets in Mumbai. Eight of the attacks occurred in South Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Oberoi Trident, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital (a women and children's hospital), the Nariman House Jewish community centre, the Metro Cinema, and a lane behind the Times of India building and St. Xavier's College. There was also an explosion at Mazagaon, in Mumbai's port area, and in a taxi at Vile Parle. By the early morning of 28 November, all sites except for the Taj hotel had been secured by Mumbai Police and security forces. An action by India's National Security Guards (NSG) on 29 November (the action is officially named Operation Black Tornado) resulted in the death of the last remaining attackers at the Taj hotel, ending all fighting in the attacks. Ajmal Kasab the only attacker who was captured alive, disclosed that the attackers were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba
In recent years, new tactics have been adopted by militant organizations to sustain the lawlessness in J&K. Muslim community is provoked in a planned way with the help of Islamic clergy and huge protests are being organized. Youth and children are being paid to resort stone throwing against security personnel. Intention is to draw the international attention in support of Pakistan position on Kashmir along with increasing resentment among local population against India. Stress on security agencies is increasing beyond tolerable limits. Small kids are not punishable by the law. Their school bags are loaded with stones instead of lunch box and books. They throw stones at the security personnel and cause serious casualties. If retaliated, human right organization will point fingers towards government and security agencies.
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