Gustavo Manuel de Arístegui is a Spanish politician, diplomat, an international analyst and the former ambassador of Spain in India. Gustavo de Arístegui, the former spokesman of Popular party, opens up on the daunting factors of jihadist terrorism. He says that Kashmir is a very attractive because of global jihadist terrorism.
Gustavo de Arístegui, the former spokesman of Popular party and the Spanish ambassador to India, rightly points out the factors that keep Kashmir as the attraction of global jihadist. Gustavo de Arístegui, from his investigation, says that Kashmir is an attractive cause’ for global jihadist. Gustavo had an article written about combating terrorism referring to this.
Gustavo de Arístegui feels that some of India’s friends have not understood the Kashmir problem like those who have wanted to stay ‘neutral’ dubbing the Indian State as ‘disputed territory’, or those who have analyzed it exclusively as Indo-Pakistani struggle to control all of Kashmir. “India’s enemies call it an occupation. But there must be very clear idea: Kashmir is an integral part of India, as part of its inalienable right to national territorial unity and on the basis of this conviction”, says Mr. Arístegui.
According to Gustavo de Arístegui’ experience and investigation, anyone who claims to fight for a noble cause and commits murder, torture or extortion is a terrorist, and also those who are passive co-operators or accomplices. Terrorism generates instability and poverty, and hinders growth and development. Many fail to see the overlaying layers of reality that coexist in Kashmir: Kashmiris are devoted and patriotic Indians and proud of their Kashmiri identity, the Kashmiris who are clearly separatist, but do not support violence, those who are separatists, but support or condone violence with their silence and the different kind of so-called militant groups which range from street violence to full-fledged bloodthirsty terrorism.
While some of these are Pakistani proxies, others take advantage of the constant Pakistani interference in Indian internal affairs. Some of these calls themselves Kashmiri nationalists, but many of these are ultra-radical Islamists and not a small number of these are clearly jihadists, the ideology that fuels and inspires terrorism, says Gustavo de Arístegui. The majority of Kashmiris are loyal citizens of India, but are also proud of their old culture, as others across the nation. According to Gustavo de Arístegui, being proud of one’s origins does not justify separatism, when the majority of your fellow citizens reject it, and it can never ever tolerate terrorism.
From his experience, Gustavo de Arístegui feels that for decades, the main source of violence and terrorism was Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They have constantly claimed that they were Kashmiri nationalists of Islamic inspiration, when in fact they are jihadi terrorists with a radical Islamist ideology and a nationalist excuse. Investigations also proves that these terrorist group has their link in each and every place where they cannot be even noticed. This new breed of terrorists wants to change the traditional terrorist strategy and its narrative, affirms Gustavo de Arístegui.
Abu Dujana and Arif Lelhari were trapped in a house by Indian security forces, they allegedly recorded messages pledging allegiance to Al-Qaeda—a turning point that should not be taken lightly. This has prompted stern reactions from the traditional terrorist organisations, the HM and LeT. They issued statements that the involvement of international groups would dilute what they consider a struggle to shake Indian rule over the state, claims Mr. Arístegui.
Kashmir is a very attractive ‘cause’ for global jihadist terrorism. As has happened in so many other terrorist-stricken territories, global jihadists try to take over by taking advantage of the instability and ongoing violence, Gustavo de Arístegui notes. The atmosphere is already there, they just need to change the perspective of those that are most radical, but a good part of the job is done. Gustavo warns that we must bear in mind that jihadist terrorism, not only is a murderous machine, it is one of the daunting factors of economic, political and social destabilisation in the world. Operational efficiency and intelligence have to be combined with politics to counter this. In conclusion Gustavo requests to embrace the Kashmiris who repudiate terrorism and who feel a part of India. Bring them to the fold of peace, and make separatists again a minority among the Muslims of the state.
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