Pakistan's difficult choice to crush extremism
Editor's note:Cheng Xizhongis a senior fellow at Chahar Institute and a visiting professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law.The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of APD.
The Pakistani authorities arrested 44 militants on Tuesday, including relatives of the leader of an extremistgroup that claimed responsibility for a February 14 attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, according to AP reports.
Given antagonistic sentiments between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir dispute, the arrest of 44 militants is a difficult task for the Pakistani authorities.
Terrorism in the South Asian subcontinent stems from the U.S. war against Afghanistan. The war aroused hostile sentiments in the region, especially in Pakistan's northwestern tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
This has given rise to a large number of radical and terrorist groups. The security situation in the region became very complex and severe since then.
Over the years, the Pakistan Armed Forces have carried out a series of counter-terrorism operations. For instance, in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, more than 3,500 armed elements were eliminated, and a large number of armed hideouts were destroyed, fundamentally reversing the adverse situation of anti-terrorism.
The Pakistani military and security forces launched a nationwide counter-terrorism campaign, especially in major cities such as Karachi. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has taken a series of effective measures such as reforming religious schools. As a result, the security situation in Pakistan has been steadily improving.
Pakistani Kashmiri resident Abdul Shakoor holds a piece of a mortar shell that hit and damaged his house in Dhanna village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, March 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
Kashmir issue
India and Pakistan have fundamental differences over the Kashmir issue. Diplomatic rows and military conflicts between the two countries have been simmering for more than 70 years, the root cause of which is the Kashmir issue.
For many years, Indian-controlled Kashmir has always been in a state of turmoil. Pakistan has been supporting local people's pursuit of self-determination. However, given India's strong military pressure and regional security, Pakistan adjusted its policy at the beginning of the 21st century, declaring that Pakistan would only provide political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmir people under the Indian rule.
In recent years, although Pakistani Muslims continue to sympathize with the self-determination movement in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Islamabad has firmly prevented radical organizations from providing support to people in Indian-controlled Kashmir. This is a crackdown on extremist and terrorist activities.
A new recruit of the Jammu Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment (JKLIR) takes part in a passing out parade at an army base in Srinagar, India, March 9, 2019. /VCG Photo
Positive cooperation
The Pakistani government strongly condemned the February 14 attack and offered to conduct an investigation with the Indian side to find out the truth and punish the criminals.
For years, Pakistan has always maintained restraint and proposed opening dialogues with India to normalize relations between the two countries.
In order to express its cooperative stance and strong desire to live in harmony with India, Pakistan repatriated the Indian pilot on March 1, just two days after he was captured.
The Pakistani government is determined to fight against terrorism both at home and abroad. Islamabad's efforts should be recognized by the international community.
The Kashmir issue was left over by the British colonial rule. The solution to this depends on the wisdom of the governments and peoples of India and Pakistan. Not to interfere in the other's internal affairs is perhaps the best approach at the current stage. On this premise, India and Pakistan should join hands to fight against extremist and terrorist forces for their shared benefits.
(CGTN)
