With Pakistan Army Chief Gen Syed Asim Munir “ruling out reconciliation with arch rival” India, New Delhi’s security, intelligence and military establishments have heightened their vigilance. The different foreign agencies, with which the Indian diplomatic establishment is coordinating actively, have warned that Pakistan may once again resort to some dirty tricks to foment troubles for India. China will be helping Islamabad in the conspiracy, agencies warned. “Pakistan Army Chief’s statement ruling out peace with India will embolden the terror organisations that are active along the Line of Control, to increase infiltration bids along the LoC,” diplomatic sources who are coordinating with the foreign offices of the various countries told The Daily Guardian.
“Pak Army Chief’s remarks could also be a message for the terrorists who are involved in anti-India activities with the backing of the Pakistan Army,” sources added. “So there may be an increase in infiltration bids by terrorists along the LoC as a large number of them have been hiding at the launch pads located in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK),” said sources. “With Pakistan going to polls on February 8, the politicians, officials and Pakistan brass are keen to divert the public attention from the failures of the government in Islamabad. Repeated terror attacks in Pakistan have also led to public anger against the Pak Army. General Munir is trying to shift the public focus to other foreign issues, sources said. Increasing tension with India is one of the ploys that Pakistan would prefer to have recourse to, with the objective of shifting public attention from domestic economic and law and order crisis to non-issues,” officials said here, adding, “The Pakistan Army Chief’s statement can also be seen in this context.” Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in its manifesto ahead of the February 8 general elections, already emphasised the restoration of Article 370 as a key step for normalising ties with India. “PMLN strongly holds the position that normalisation of ties with India cannot take place until New Delhi reverses the unilateral measures taken on August 5th, 2019 to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir,” the manifesto read. India has told Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir is an inalienable and integral part of the country. Article 370, which was abrogated by India’s Parliament in 2019, is entirely a matter of India as well as its Constitution, as the Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated previously.
While Indian security agencies are on a high alert, diplomats are also taking regular updates on the development from different foreign embassies and high commissions, sources said, adding, “Several senior envoys from India are constantly keeping a close eye on political activities in Pakistan.” According to sources, Pakistan and China may resume joint efforts to expand the CPEC projects under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which India is opposed to. The motive of Pakistan behind this will be only to needle India amid tensions between New Delhi and Beijing, said a source. Pakistan may also try to rake up the controversial issues between India and Canada with the motive of needling New Delhi.