Jammu, December 4
The American Ambassador to India, Mr Robert Blackwill, today held a detailed discussion with Lt-Gen T.P.S. Brar, GOC, 16 Corps, on the security situation in the light of terrorist activities in the Jammu region, even as he chose not to meet APHC leaders.
General Brar briefed the American Ambassador on the activities of Pakistan-aided insurgents who were trying not only to destabilise peace, but also kick up communal turmoil in the Jammu region. This was clear from the recent attack on two temples.
Mr Blackwill was shown large quantities of weapons, ammunition and explosives which the Indian troops had recovered from militants during operations against them. He was shown weapons with Pakistani and Chinese markings.
The Ambassador, escorted by General Brar, had an aerial survey of the LoC and the international border. He was briefed on the routes that Pakistan-aided militants adopted while infiltrating into the Indian territory.
General Brar was assisted by several senior Army officers to explain to the American Ambassador the nature of support the militants continue to receive from agencies across the border.
Mr Blackwill was informed that since the support of local youth to terrorist activities had shrunk, Pakistani agencies now banked on foreign mercenaries. This was evident from the elimination rate of militants from Pakistan, PoK and Afghanistan.
He was told at least 80 per cent militants operating in the Jammu region were foreign mercenaries. Informed sources said Mr Blackwill expressed concern over cross-border terrorism and favoured a broad-based dialogue to end the menace.
Later, Mr Blackwill flew back to Delhi after completing his three-day official visit to Jammu and Kashmir where he
spent most of his time with the Army. He met the Governor, Mr G.C. Saxena, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and other prominent citizens, including senior journalists.
Reacting to the Ambassador’s visit, former Chairman of the APHC, Molvi Umar Farooq, said it was “unfortunate” that he had chosen not to meet separatist leaders.
However, the Chairman, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat told The Tribune that “it is up to the Ambassador to choose with whom he would like to discuss the state’s affairs”.
Molvi Umar Farooq accused Mr Blackwill of “toeing a pro-India line” as evident from the latter’s statement on terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prof Bhat said the statement that in order to end terrorism in the world, it had to be first ended in Jammu and Kashmir, was not a deviation from the American policy on Kashmir. He explained the American stand was that “Kashmir being a dispute needs to be resolved through negotiations, keeping in view the wishes of all regions.”
At the same time, he seemed intrigued over Mr Blackwill’s concern over cross-border terrorism when he said “the American Ambassador had to keep the interests of the host country in mind.”
Prof Bhat said before giving a “lecture on terrorism, the USA has to identify who is a terrorist.
He said Mr Blackwill and the country he represented in India had to explain “who is a terrorist — Isreal, India, Pakistan, Russia in Chechnya or America in Iraq.
