Pulwama, Pattan, Anantnag, Srinagar, Kulgam, Sopore and Pulwama again. July has been a busy month for the security forces in Kashmir as they engaged militants in firefights across the Valley.
Senior officials have been claiming for the last few months that the backbone of militancy was broken. Perhaps, they were influenced by the lack of incidents and the trickling in of tourists despite Covid-19 imposed restrictions. But before one could take the peace interregnum as the beginning of a new normal, gunshots pierced through the lull, shattering the illusion. What distinguished July from the last few months?
In Kashmir, one can never ask why, because all answers point to only one thing—the sentiment. So, what one can do is make assumptions. July commemorated two events—Burhan Wani’s killing on July 8 and the Martyr’s Day on July 13. The Valley observed a shutdown on both days. Could these have triggered the encounters.
Or was the delimitation exercise that has begun, which led to increased militant activity? Could it be the half-begun talks between the politicians from the Valley and the Prime Minister? Was it the lead up to the second anniversary of abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A? Probably, it was all a coincidence. Who can say? After all, the bodies don’t talk.
