A Commoner’s Perspective
No doubt, Kashmir has been in crisis for the last three decades, but it has not witnessed war-like situations since 1971. The region has experienced massive turmoil, unrest, insurgency, and various ups and downs during local cross-firing and bombings, but not the full-scale scenario that was visible in the recent war-like situation. This is not only a lesson for Kashmir as a vulnerable place but also for those states in India that are considered war-prone. Hence, the recent war-like situation between the two countries marked a turning point, as it brought the reality of war much closer to the Kashmiri people and the nation than ever before.
The result of this war over the skies of Kashmir, under the blackout, must create a sense of vigilance, preparedness, and political consciousness among the public. As a common citizen, I am suggesting what I feel is the need of the hour; execution and implementation of measures ensuring the safety and security of our citizens.
New Ground Reality: Before India and Pakistan entered into a cold-war-like situation, people in Kashmir took it as casually as they take their daily crises. But surely, the common people knew that India would take revenge for the innocent killings that happened in Pahalgam. When India carried out bombardments inside Pakistani territory, demolishing terrorist launching pads, the whole country hailed the move. This action provoked Pakistan and created a war-like situation. Fighter jets began flying over the skies, and new war protocols started being imposed in Kashmir. Pakistan attacked Poonch, killing several civilians and damaging infrastructure. The statements, news channels, social media, arguments, and counter-arguments, along with drones, firing, and bombings, created havoc among the common Kashmiris.
Living with uncertainty: In war zones, the importance of precautions is essential. Not only in war zones or vulnerable conflict areas, but it must be part of our national plan to be prepared for any war-like situation—to be ready to serve our nation. We have learned new practices that are routine in other countries, such as keeping emergency kits, having evacuation plans, building underground shelters, and conducting awareness drills. As a local, I noticed that we build large houses with decorations and beautification, but without safety and protection measures. In other countries, underground bunkers are common and often more beautiful and comfortable than the bedrooms. This is a concern we need to address seriously for our protection and safety during times of war. Otherwise, it is like digging a well at the time of a fire.
Propaganda and perception: Common citizens need awareness about propaganda, perception, misinformation, and the psychological fear of war, because these are tools that can either boost morale or smash the moral. Propaganda plays a crucial role in winning a war. Our citizens must be well-equipped with the knowledge to identify fake news, artificially edited content, and media-driven perceptions and deceptions.
Technological awareness: There are new things that now go in the war, like Drones, and cyber tools. A common citizen must know about these things so that their is no panic and havoc. Kashmiris seeing such objects in the air first time were very tense.
Coordination is a must: People living on the borders must be mentally and logistically ready for war. Preparedness is not only the responsibility of military but also of civilians, especially those in volatile areas during times of war. Community-based defence trainings, awareness of army equipment, potential targets, basic training, and information must be provided. This way, individuals become courageous, take necessary steps during war-like situations, and can be helpful to our armed forces. Schools, community centres and knowledge hubs can provide awareness drills.
Hot Zone: Kashmir needs to be well-equipped, well-informed, and well-trained in every war-like situation, because it is now a battleground. Locals have never seen this as a war zone, but continuous infiltration and terrorist attacks have made it so. The common Kashmiri feels exhausted psychologically and mentally depressed. They just want to convey to the international community that Kashmir is not just a war zone but a home to millions of peace-loving people. Let this voice reach across the borders as well.
Future strategy: The recent war situation was not a film but a reality that conveyed to us our position as locals, which was virtually non-existent. It made it clear that we are never ready for any natural or man-made disaster. Therefore, we need both awareness and preparedness in terms of mental health support systems, the active role of the local government, an effective disaster response mechanism, safety plans for women and children, readiness of community volunteers and Local Defence Committees (LDCs), and, finally, post-war rehabilitation and compensation policies besides above discussed interventions.
The common belief is that war must be the last resort, but sometimes war becomes a reality. As such, most developed countries have already made preparedness their main objective. Nobody knows what will happen and when. Precautions are a must for any powerful country to win a war, because every war is fought in the interest of nation, and the nation must stand not only by strength but by preparedness.
