KASHMIR and IDPs

By K.N. Pandita

Video footage is in circulation showing Al Qaeda gunmen directing their cronies to head towards Kashmir. Kashmir Valley secessionists, Hurriyatis and ambivalent politicians, readying for reception of “guests mujahideen”, are in high spirits.

Recent occupation of parts of Northern Iraq by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) crusaders has bolstered ambitious Sunni-Wahhabi adventurisms all over the Muslim world. Reverberations are heard in the Valley of Kashmir.   Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

What can be the security scenario in J&K after US-NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan by the end of this year? The subject is widely debated in various circles in the country. It is right to keep an eye on happenings around us but we stand on our own to meet external threat and internal subversion.

Contours of NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan are unclear. Total disengagement of foreign troops in Afghanistan from action against Taliban-Al Qaeda combine in Af-Pak region is also a moot point.   Continue Reading…

By Dr. K.N. Pandita

I was happy to read the news of a two-day seminar on Central Asian Studies organised in the University of Kashmir. I read Governor’s inaugural address with full attention.

As one who was among the first posse of faculty to be posted at the newly opened Centre of Central Asian Studies in Kashmir University in 1976, and later on rose to be its adhoc Director till my superannuation in 1986, I had the privilege of whatever small role in the origination of the Centre and its progress as an area study centre of the UGC. Unfortunately, after my superannuation I did not remain in touch with the Centre for the reason that I spent most of my days touring extensively either in Central Asia or in Europe and the US as an academic at large. Even during the civil war in Tajikistan in mid nineties, I was in Dushanbe watching the cruel march of history of transition of that State from authoritarian rule to republicanism.   Continue Reading…