The Untold Story of Jihad in Kashmir

[sonicboom]

“The [Pakistan] government has its hands tied behind its back by the army and the secret services. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Gillani really want to destroy the jihadist movement, but they are not able to. The secret services [the ISI] have the means to end the jihadis and the Taliban, but they refuse to do so.”


The Untold Story of Jihad in Kashmir: Author Arif Jamal on the “Shadow War”

"The army and secret services are playing a double game"

Arif Jamal is a specialist on Pakistan for the University of New York. He is the author of a book published last week in the United States, Shadow War, The Untold story of Jihad in Kashmir.


Interview by PHILIPPE GRANGEREAU
Liberation, Paris



What is Pakistan?

The policy of Pakistan is the Pakistani army, as it holds the real power in this country, in tandem with the secret services, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

However, the primary objective of the army is to conquer Kashmir [territory divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, editor's note]. To achieve this, the army and the ISI supported militarily Kashmir jihadis and their Taliban allies.


The Pakistani army is she double game?

She has always played a double game. After 11 September, President General Pervez Musharraf has continued, through the ISI, to provide military and logistical support for jihadists in Kashmir and the Afghan Taliban - who were granted an almost complete freedom of action. They have raised significant funds in Pakistan, which has allowed them to return in force.


What is the latitude of the democratic government of Pakistan?
The government has its hands tied behind its back by the army and the secret services. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Gillani really want to destroy the jihadist movement, but they are not able to. The secret services [the ISI] have the means to end the jihadis and the Taliban, but they refuse to do so.


The offensive launched by the army in Swat are they dressing?
The scenario is the same as what has happened so far in the tribal areas. The Pakistani media, under the influence of the ISI, give the impression that there is significant fighting. In fact, before the army attacks a village where the Taliban are hiding, the ISI warns them the Taliban ahead of time. The army destroys a few empty houses, sits down, then the Taliban come back.


But the Army to sacrifice its soldiers ...

From the viewpoint of the ISI, if the death of hundreds of soldiers may serve their interest, the price is not too high. The Swat valley is a critical issue because if the jihadists continue to gain ground, they will have a corridor linking Afghanistan and Kashmir. No army can then dislodge an alliance between jihadists, Taliban and members of al-Qaeda which has a sanctuary in that part of the Himalayas


Is it the Chief of Staff of Pakistan Army, General Ashfaq Kayani, who is pulling the strings?

Prior to leading the army, he headed the ISI. He was master of the double game played by Pakistan in recent years and it has not changed. But even if he is sacked, the strategy will remain the same as the Kashmir dispute is not resolved. To get rid of Islamic terrorism, it is necessary to resolve the Kashmir issue.


How could change the situation?

At the speed where the Taliban are gaining ground, Pakistan could fall into the hands of the Taliban in two years. The army and the ISI have created a monster that is now out of control. The target of the Taliban is not Kashmir or Afghanistan, it is Pakistan.


If the United States leave the Taliban, will they get their hands on nuclear Pakistan?

Washington knows a lot about the Pakistani nuclear program. But it does not know everything, and there is the risk.

http://www.averroespress.com/AverroesPress/Main/Entries/2009/5/26_The_Untold_Story_of_Jihad_in_Kashmir__Author_Arif_Jamal_on_the_%E2%80%9CShadow_War%E2%80%9D.html

 

[mujib.khan]

1. The Holy Quoran commands a Muslim "to clear his house of the intruder". Jihad is clearly enjioned on the people of Kashmir who have been fighting an intruder to throw him out of their abode. All in the Ummah must come to their aid as an Islamic duty, as they must do in Palestine, Arakan, S Thailand and the Philipines.

2. Kashmiris cannot be blamed if they feel they have been let down by successive regimes in Pakistan. Ops of 1948, 1965 War, Kargil War, the ongoing Jihad and in the intervening periods, Pak regimes did not follow through with their support. A war is a serious business and must be pursued till the end. Sadly Pakistan failed on that account.

3. However, Pakistan is not Gilani, Zardari,Pervez Musharraf or the Bhutto family. Pakistan is the Islamic heart that beats in the breast of Pakistanis.

 

[notsuperstitious]

^^^

Ismalic heart? like the hindu face of ajmal kasab?

Good article

 

[Hulk]

Not sure how of this is true, but if it is true then what else can we say.

 

[TaimiKhan]

A very pathetic article with nothing logical in it. Well this can be expected out of people living in west and writing books about Pakistan not having been on the ground and talked to people or the concerned.

Its just like one of those conspiracy theories which other writers state and get bashed, but as this is anti-pakistan or pakistan bashing, so such conspiracy theories are welcomed, thanked and liked.

And the height of this pathetic article is this part:

"The Swat valley is a critical issue because if the jihadists continue to gain ground, they will have a corridor linking Afghanistan and Kashmir. No army can then dislodge an alliance between jihadists, Taliban and members of al-Qaeda which has a sanctuary in that part of the Himalayas "

Has the writer ever seen the map to see the location of Swat ?? Well if he sees it, he will find that it is hundreds of miles away from the Afghanistan border and is hundreds of miles away from the Kashmir border, plus i don't know which year this article was written but the fears of Swat valley falling into Taliban hands is long gone, its leadership is gone, major commanders killed, thousands of foot soldiers killed. IDPs are back and peace restored.

And as per Pakistan's double game, should have also discussed the American double game tactics also, whose list is much longer then ours.

But with one sided analysis, that is the best piece of ***** that you can see to read.