Blue valleys, alpine passes, lakes, foothill plains, snow covered mountains, Gardens, Houseboats and many more scenic natural beauties and the cultures made the Jammu and Kashmir as "heaven on earth" and the famous tourist spot in India.  However, its strategic position surrounded by ambitious neighbours has transformed this beautiful place into a battlefield.

 At the time of partition of India, the rulers of princely states were given the choice to freely accede either to India or Pakistan, or to remain independent according to the instruments of partition of India. 

 The ambivalent Maharaja Harisingh, who was ruling the Muslim majority Princely state of Kashmir at the time of partition, opted to remain independent, however signed a “stand still” agreement with Pakistan, but sought help from Indian Union agreeing to place Kashmir under the dominion of Indian Govt., when Pakistan betrayed the agreement and resorted for aggression on Kashmir. He signed the instrument of Accession on 26^th October, 1947.  Sheikh Abdullah, the popular and influential leader of Muslim masses of Kashmir also accepted the accession of Kashmir to India, though he too opted for Kashmir’s self rule at the inception.  The seed of the controversy sowed thus.

Pakistan contested this accession, alleging that the Maharaja acted under duress and termed it as fraudulent.  It claimed that he had no right to sign an agreement with India when the standstill agreement was still in force.

Pakistan developed enmity with India and fought three wars unsuccessfully. India’s interference in East Pakistan struggle for independence and being instrumental in the emergence of Bangladesh in the year 1971, whatever may be its strategic importance for India, further aggravated the soured relationships with Pakistan.

It is an open secret that Pakistan is aiding and abetting Jihadi forces in Kashmiri valley.  US based RAND (Research And Development) Corporation, a non-profit global policy think tank in its report on “Pakistan’s Role in the Kashmir Insurgency” that published in 2001 noted that “ the nature of Kashmir conflict has been transformed from what was originally a secular, locally based struggle to one that is now largely carried out by foreign militants- Most of the militant organizations are composed of foreign mercenaries mostly from Pakistani Panjab – with the support of its Intelligence agencies boosting Kashmir militants”.

The recent unrest in Kashmir was also an “aided unrest” which was evident from the episode of money received from across the border meant to be delivered to a Hurriyat leader to intensify the fight.

India lost a powerful leader with the assassination of Smt. Indira Gandhi during the year 1984.  Coalition Govts. at the centre came into being.  Indecisiveness is the character of the leaders of these days.  Pakistan began openly interfering in Kashmir issue.  Mujahidins began infiltrated into Kashmir after the end of Soviet-Afghan war during the year 1989.  This has intensified the conflict further. Those who closely follow the Kashmir issue could able to understand that the issue worsened only after 1989 though it is as old as the independence of India.

The people and more importantly the political leaders of Kashmir shall understand the designs of our neighbours and shall maintain restraint and act wisely in the interest of the people’s safety.  The emergence of a strong leadership at the centre who can influence the people with his/her actions is the need of the day.