The summer of 2024 has been particularly tumultuous for Indian forces in Kashmir, with a series of attacks highlighting the persistent volatility in the region. From July to September, the Indian military and security apparatus have been embroiled in a spate of violent incidents, leaving several personnel dead and raising questions about the country’s capacity to manage its internal and external affairs effectively.
A String of Deadly Incidents
This wave of violence began on July 8, 2024, when Freedom Fighters attacked a military convoy in Kathua district, resulting in the deaths of five Army personnel and injuring five others. This attack was quickly followed by another on July 16 in Doda district, where four Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed during an encounter with militants. These early attacks set the tone for what would be a challenging few months for Indian forces in the region.
The situation in Kashmir continued to deteriorate, with a grenade attack in Srinagar on July 20 that injured three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. The violence persisted into August, marked by an IED explosion targeting an Army convoy in Baramulla district on August 5, injuring two soldiers. On August 18, a gunbattle in Anantnag district claimed the lives of two militants and one Indian Army soldier.
Moreover, August witnessed an intense encounter in Pulwama district that resulted in the deaths of four militants. In the same month, the Indian Army intercepted a large cache of weapons being smuggled across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district, underscoring the continuous flow of arms into the region.
September brought little respite, with militants attacking a police checkpoint in the Sopore area on September 1, injuring two police officers. A major operation in Kupwara district on September 10 saw security forces neutralizing three militants attempting to infiltrate across the LoC. The operation also led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition. Another attempt to smuggle arms through the Poonch sector was foiled later in September, with security forces recovering a considerable amount of weaponry.
Internal Turmoil and External Distraction
These incidents not only underline the ongoing security challenges in Kashmir but also suggest a broader implication for India’s foreign policy, particularly its engagement with neighboring countries like Bangladesh. Historically, India has played a pivotal role in influencing political dynamics in the region, often aligning with regimes that serve its strategic interests. However, the intensifying conflict in Kashmir may have forced Indian forces and policymakers to divert their attention inward, potentially at the cost of their influence in neighboring states.
This internal preoccupation could be seen in India’s recent interactions with Bangladesh, where its efforts to secure its interests, particularly in propping up the Hasina regime, appear to have faltered. With Kashmir in turmoil, the Indian government may have found itself too occupied to exert the level of influence it traditionally has in Dhaka. The ongoing crisis in Kashmir, compounded by the continuous smuggling of weapons into India, could have strained the country’s resources and focus, leaving little room for active intervention in the political affairs of its neighbors.
A Pressing Challenge
The past few months have indeed been a testing time for Indian forces in Kashmir. As the region remains a hotbed of militancy and violence, the Indian government’s ability to manage both internal security and external diplomatic relations is increasingly being called into question. The failure to fully secure its interests in Bangladesh, amid the chaos in Kashmir, serves as a stark reminder of the limits of India’s capacity to handle multiple challenges simultaneously. Perhaps India is only a paper tiger with an enormous military presence but little actual capacity to wage wars with any of its neighbors. With the increasing anti-India narratives building in Bangladesh, India might very well find itself lonely in the region. This might be a good time to change its foreign policy from an overwhelming big brother role to a more down-to-earth approach, seeing neighboring states as equals.
Written By:
Rashidul Hasan
Editor-in-chief, Titan News