Daily Diary (DD) - Day 178 of 2023

2347hrs:

....All the way....

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Another needless set of tragedies on the LOC, this time in Poonch Sector:

I shall copy the text written within the video description here:

#LOC #CivilianKillings #Poonch 

Muhammad Qasim 61 year old son of Muhammad Deen and Muhammad Ubaid 22 year old son of Abdul Qayoom (both of Tithrinote) lost their lives to Indian sniper fire despite being well inside the Pakistani controlled zone of the LOC, resting under the shade of a tree while their livestock grazed the pastures.

This was the same tree that the Pakistani army used as a shade in the past, as recently as the day before this event.

Both Qasim & Ubaid had spent their lives in agriculture and looking after their livestock. While these two succumbed to Indian sniper fire, a third local Abdul Majeed (alias Bhutto) - 35 years of age - was injured and managed to drag himself to a Pakistani post where he was given a pain killer but detained for a few hours while the Pakistani army refused to tend to the other two civilians shot. In fact, they prevented others from going to retrieve them.

  

This land on which the 3 fellow villagers were sitting is locally known as the land of Professor Saidullah. According to Ubaid's father Qasim the LOC was more than 500 yards away from this location, while the nearest Indian army post was a further 100 yards away, from where these sniper shots were fired.

By around 2pm (over a couple of hours later) local villagers could not wait any longer for the Pakistani army to give them permission to retrieve the 2 fellow villagers lying injured or dead under the shade of the tree. The local villagers tore off their vests to use them as white flags to reach them. The 61 year old Qasim was already dead while the relatively younger 22 year old Ubaid was still breathing.

Local ambulances in the vicinity refused to come to their aid. Eventually, a local Mazda truck was used to take Ubaid to a local dispensary while the other villager Qasim's dead body was taken to his home. The local dispensary had nothing to treat Ubaid with and he was then rushed to Hajeera (tehsil headquarter - THQ) hospital, over 10 kilometres away.

At the THQ, there was little that the hospital staff could do either to prevent Ubaid's death.  

In the subsequent days, nobody from the Pakistani army came to condole the dead. However some people from the Rawalakot administration did come to enquire of what happened.

The overall scenario of the LOC in this region of Poonch - in particular - suggests that locals are being driven away from lands where their livestock grazes and where they would previously sow crops for livelihood, in preparation for what appears to be a back-door agreement between India and Pakistan to define the LOC as an international border, without the local people's reference.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 287 of 2021

1851hrs:

Another set of hectic days ahead......respite at home for documentation is few and far between at the moment. 

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The following unnecessary tragedy that took place today has often been repeated over the past 7 decades and is a direct outcome of the unnecessary presence of Indian and Pakistani troops in this territory. Both claim to protect the inhabitants from the other but both usually succeed in killing or maiming these very inhabitants while continuing to secure their relative control over this territory, for its water resources and geographical location:

Today, 17 year old matriculation student Danyal s/o Malik Khurshid was cutting some firewood in the porch of his home about 20 or so metres away from the LOC at Tithrinote (Tehsil Hajeera), when he become yet another victim of the indiscriminate land mines laid out by the Pakistani army. The blast blew off major parts of his right leg as can be witnessed in the following photo:

A multitude of previous cases (of indiscriminate land mines planted) along various parts of the LOC from district Bhimber in the South to district Neelam in the North have taken various limbs of our citizens away from them while they were carrying out normal day to day activities, usually falling victim on their own personal land. In Danyal's case, a specific question arises as to how did this land mine come to be within the grounds of a local residence? Is the Pakistani army unaware, inattentive or simply careless on these matters which destroy the lives of locals?  

While compiling this report we also inquired from local sources whether or not the Pakistani army approached the family of the injured citizen; if not to explain what that land mine was doing in a local residence then at least to condole Danyal and his family. The response was in the negative.

Here's an Urdu statement on the incident by a local resident:

ظلم، جبر اور تکلیف کا ایک اور کیس، پاکستان اور بھارت کی جانب سے مادر وطن ریاست جموں کشمیر کو تقسیم کرنے والی خونی لکیر نے ایک اور 17 سالہ نوجوان کے مستقبل کو تاریک کر دیا،

محنت کش خاندان سے تعلق رکھنے والے ملک خورشید کا 17 سالہ میٹرک کا طالب علم دانیال گھر کے صحن میں لگے مائین کا شکار ہو گیا جس کے پھٹنے سے نوجوان کی ٹانگ ضائع ہو گئی، اس سے پہلے کئی حادثات میں کشمیریوں کی آنکھ، ٹانگ، ہاتھ اور جسم کے دوسرے اعضاء ضائع ہو چکے ہیں، بھارت اور پاکستان کا ریاست دشمن اور انسان دشمن کھیل جاری ہے، آئے روز ہمارے لوگوں کو ایک سازش کے تحت قتل عام کیا جا رہا ہے، سوال یہ ہے کہ گھر کہ صحن میں مائین کیسے ا سکتا ہے؟ اگر آیا تو یہ افواج وہاں کےا چھولے بیچ رہی ہیں؟  دونوں ملک اپنے جنگی جنون اپنی اپنی سرحدات میں دکھائیں اور ہمارے وطن سے نکل جائیں یہی ہمارا مطالبہ ہے اور یہی ہماری جنگ ہے، جب تک یہ ناسور ہمارے دھرتی پہ موجود ہیں،ہمارے لوگ یہ جبر برداشت کرتے رہیں گئے، اس دکھ اور تکلیف کو اپنا ہتھیار بناتے ہوئے ہمیں اب اس غلامی سے بدتر زندگی سے چھٹکارے کیلئے حتمی جنگ کا اعلان کرنا ہو گا، وگرنہ ان دونوں ملکوں کے لالچی اور بدعنوان جرنیل اور سیاستدان ہماری نسلوں کو نگل جائیں گئے،

سردار محسن

پونچھ جموں کشمیر

(Update: October the 19th)

The following video interview in reference to the above incident was conducted at the scene by Zulfiqar Malik of Madaarpur for JKTV:

.......

In our bid to ensure that all angles are covered in our pursuit for justice, here is a letter written by Dr. Nazir Gilani of JKCHR (Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights) to the Lt. Governor of Indian-controlled Jammu & Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha:

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 283 of 2019

1922hrs:

The momentum is getting stronger by the day...almost everything that has happened since the 5th of August has taken all of us by surprise....

We are now in a position to start uploading content....

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We understand that there has been very heavy cross-fire and shelling between India and Pakistan in various parts of the Neelam Valley today. Even Sharda is affected once again. Here's some specific news:

Changan #NeelumValley
report of a ten years old kids death in indian and pakistan army shelling

Fizan Ahmad Mir S/o Fiaz Mir Age 10

Wife of Fiaz Mir is also injured #LoC #Kashmir #SayNoToWar

— #SaveRiverSaveMuzaffarabad (@khawajaatteeq) October 10, 2019

Areas affected:

- Sharda
- Khwaja Seri
- Dosut
- Tejian
- Dudhnial
- Lawaat

........

A history lesson won't go amiss amidst the cacophony of voices near the LOC at Jaskol, near Chakothi:

24 نومبر کی رات اور 25 نومبر کی صبح کو منگلا سے پاکستانی فوج نے توپخانے کے ذریعے میرپور پر گولہ باری کی ۔
اس گولہ باری کے ساتھ قبائلیوں اور پاکستانی فوج نے میرپور پر حملہ کر دیا اور شہر کی حفاظتی دروازوں کو توڑ کر شہر میں داخل ہو گئے ۔
میرپور پر قیامت ٹوٹ پڑی ۔ pic.twitter.com/Nh5kxGnb0i

— Sameena Raja - J&K (@SamRaja21700228) October 9, 2019

Translated thus:

On the night of the 24th of November (1947) and on the morning of the 25th of November (1947) the Pakistani army using cannons bombed the (old) city of Mirpur.

Alongside this bombing, tribal (Pathans) and the Pakistani army attacked Mirpur. The city's protective gates were thus broken, to facilitate their entry. 


Doomsday broke out in Mirpur. 

End of translation.....

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This sounds ominous but is very true:

all over twitter, #Pakistan ISI accounts have been spreading vile abuse against pro-independence #Kashmiris. We know these accounts are Pakistani run accounts, (they're too dumb to be #Indian). Instead of fixing up, they carry on with their hate. There are consequences to hate.

— Rizwan Ali (@Sheikh_Miyagi) October 10, 2019

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 227 of 2019

2052hrs:

If just as an after thought, I saw far more Pakistani flags for sale in Dadyaal today than I noticed yesterday anywhere between Dadyaal, Kotli, Sarsaawa, Baloch, Trarkhel, Jandaali, Banjosa, Kaigalla, Hajeera, Tattapani and via Kotli back to Dadyaal. In actual fact, I saw exactly 3 Pakistani flags on our entire journey and every 1 of those were mounted on vehicles, who could have belonged to anybody.

I would be really interested to learn of how many Pakistani flags have been sold in Dadyaal, in the days leading up to this year's 14th of August.

......

There are reports of cross-LOC firing today, in Leepa Sector and Battal Sector. Here's a 'must translate' tweet in relation to a civilian casualty in Battal:

@tariqfarooq60 @PM_AJK

بٹل پونچھ کا رہاٸشی منیب الرحمان آج جب بھارتی فوج کی گولہ باری کی وجہ سے زخمی ہوا تو بٹل یا ملحقہ علاقوں میں ایمبولینس نہ ہونے کی وجہ سے بروقت ہسپتال نہ پہنچ سکا۔ اپنی مدد آپ کے تحت جب اسے راولاکوٹ پہنچایا گیا تو زیادہ خون بہنے کی وجہ سے اس کی موت ہو گٸ pic.twitter.com/Iwz41nWqt7

— Misaligned Stars (@AfzaalMajid1) August 15, 2019

Translated thus:


A resident of Battal in Poonch, Muneebur Rehman who was injured in mortar shelling by indian forces, couldn't reach hospital in time as there were no ambulances available in the vicinity. When other residents of the area transported him to Rawalakot using their own initiative (community self-help), he (Muneeb) had already lost too much blood and hence succumbed to his injuries.

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Ayesha Siddiqa has always been on the ball. I was fortunate to meet her at her residence in Islamabad in 2009. She was wrong on one thing that I'll always remember though: She thought - at the time - that Pakistan's 'deep State' would never allow me to conduct public forums throughout AJK and GB. Why? She thought they were too powerful in AJK and they would obstruct my work, by hook or by crook. I said at the time that I didn't think they could do as they liked in AJK because deep down; they always knew that they don't have a locus standi in AJK, the people do.



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 209 of 2019

1032hrs: 

I've reached that stage where my writing should get a lot more internal, intrinsic and introspective of the society that I am operating in. It is perhaps a trait of human nature that whenever anybody exploits us and/or our land/resources, they do so by exploiting our inherent weaknesses. If we continue to falter in addressing our weaknesses, there will be many more Khans, Modis and Trumps who will dance around our aspirations. 

We will continue to play the fool with our own status. Particularly by ignoring those who work tirelessly on our collective behalf by sacrificing their personal aspirations, while we celebrate being played by regional leaders and the international community.

This reverse can and should begin in Sharda:

Fog or low clouds on Kishenganga between rain at Sharda yesterday

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People should also understand that any place with such a rich heritage cries out for continuation or revival. Here's just one example:



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Contributing to our society's paralysis is this utterly needless blood sport:

3 civilians including a mother her baby were injured on Sunday an exchange of fire between #IndianArmy V #PakistanArny at #LOC #Poonch occupied #JammuAndKashmir @ Shahpur sector.

Fatima Jaan (35), her infant baby and Mohammad arif
Are you proud India &Pakistan ? pic.twitter.com/Dvh18z9QLr

— JKLF 4 Jammu-Kashmir (@JKLF_Kashmir) July 28, 2019

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 135 of 2019

2056hrs:

Rest is as important as work.....

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We lost yet another poor young soul on the LOC today. India and Pakistan can count their casualties for whatever they are worth. However, they are collectively nowhere near the figure we lose as civilians (or innocent bystanders to be more precise).

Today's statistic:

Umar Subhani s/o Tahir Subhani - aged 20 of Danna - Smaahni was killed by incoming Indian fire.

The Indians will no doubt claim they were responding to Pakistani fire or an 'infiltration' attempt. The Pakistanis will no doubt describe it as unprovoked and indiscriminate fire from the Indians.

The Pakistanis will try and get us to rally behind them in condemning India. The Indians would do something similar with our citizens on the other side of the divide.

Both countries rely on our respective support to demonise the 'other'. We seem hell bent on collaborating with both enemies to prolong our tragedy. Meanwhile, they seem intent on collaborating with each other to maintain control.

What is Indo-Pak bilateralism if not collaboration?  

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 57 of 2019

1525hrs:

I woke up today to learn that there had been some war activity over the territory of AJK. In fact, Indian fighter jets had flown over AJK and bombed what they described as, "JeM militant camps" where they claimed - according to Indian media reports - to have killed over 300 militants, in the Pakistani territory of Balakot (in KPK) at about 0300hrs, barely a few kilometres from AJK's border with Pakistan.

Now, about 12 hours later the propaganda war between the 2 countries is in full swing, obfuscation and delerium in equal measure. We, the inhabitants of J & K don't exist, irrespective of whether there is peace or war on the horizon.

Update 1902hrs: There's been heavy shelling on both sides of the LOC, especially in the #Kotli sector....reports coming in from #Nikyaal and #Khuiratta #AJK https://t.co/DMXMKPMIkB https://t.co/7UOKMUCjhA

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) February 26, 2019

Update 1908hrs: From Kotli
DHQ Hospital takes emergency measures to take in injured from heavy shelling in Charoi, Khuiratta and Nikyaal tehsils (sub-divisions)

Update 1924hrs: From Smaahni
Receiving reports of heavy cross-shelling and firing in Bhimber Sector too

Well, at least the Valley of Kashmir is quite today. Is there a correlation?

Update 1946hrs: From Khuiratta
Pakistani firing...more than the Indians...from Darghuti....heavy fire....since 1500hrs......4 injured civilians in Khanpur ambulanced to Kotli.....Karghut - 8 to 10 ambulances dispatched to PK army....

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Update 1931hrs:

Here's a perspective courtesy of Twitter:

Man looks to god for peace, and God looks to the mountains ! #Ladakh #JandK #SankarSalvady #TravelPhotography #India @jandktourism @tourismgoi pic.twitter.com/qGejabgNXs

— Sankar Salvady (@sankarsalvady) February 26, 2019

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Update 2010hrs:
1 of the 4 injured succumbed to her injuries

Dead:
Shanaz Siddique w/o Raja Muhammad Siddique - female

Injured:
Adnan s/o Muhammad Aslam - male
? Kausar d/o Muhammad Karamat - female
Sumehra d/o Muhammad Aslam - female

Update 2013hrs: From Nikyaal
Mohra Dhruti....Malik Umar Hayat House...
- 3 of this already deceased gentleman's family members have now been killed in this fresh Indo-Pak confrontation along the LOC..
- A further 3 members of the late Umar Hayat have been injured.

Dead:
Motiyan Begum w/o Umar Hayat - 40 years - female
Zarina d/o Umar Hayat - 15 years - female
Gulfraz s/o Umar Hayat - 9 years - male

Injured:
Umar Farooq s/o Umar Hayat - 17 years - male
Sarfaraz s/o Umar Hayat - 12 years - male
Sagheer s/o Umar Hayat - 10 years - male

Update 2117hrs: From Hattian - Jhelum Valley (Muzaffarabad Division)
All hospitals in the district have been put on high alert.

Also plenty of aerial movement reported from all 3 divisions of AJK

Update 2210hrs:

I sent out the following audio message in English:



Update 2316hrs: From Kotli
Reports of activity in Tattapani and further north along the Poonch Sector

Update 2331hrs: Working Boundary (The area of Jammu & Kashmir controlled by India opposite Pakistani Punjab - Sialkot, Narowal, Shakergarh etc.)
Reports of tank build-up here

Here's some footage on the ground in Tattapani, Nikyaal and Khuiratta:


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Coming back to the ground where this territorial conflict really matters, here's a scene from Gilgit Baltistan:

Female students in a remote village of #Nagar district taking school class on snow, temperature drops minus 12 centigrade in the area. pic.twitter.com/1LxwbFPJch

— jamil Nagri (@jamilnagri) February 25, 2019

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In an effort to remain sober about this needless and expensive conflict thrust upon us, I became engaged with the following question on the 19th of February:

Should Kashmir Be An Independent State? https://t.co/DvmEN42oa1

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) February 25, 2019

So here's my engagement:

I'm pretty impressed with the structure of this website and the promptness equalled by thoroughness of the administrators. Only I wish I could embed the conversation here.

Initially, on February the 19th I submitted all 3 primary reasons for why Kashmir should be independent.

Note:
I'm using the term 'Kashmir' in the most easily understood modern political sense. That is Kashmir as short-hand for the whole erstwhile princely State of Jammu & Kashmir, whose measurement equals roughly 86,000 square miles. Roughly because varying figures are quoted by writers across the geo-political spectrum. This territory can most easily be divided into seven (7) distinct regions, for the dual purpose of understanding its possibly divergent/convergent internal narratives and 72 year administrative history.

1) AJK = 6% of land and 20% population of J & K under Pakistani control
2) Aksai Chin = 14% of land and 0% population under Chinese control
3) Gilgit Baltistan = 29% of land and 9% population under Pakistani control
4) Jammu = 12% of land and 30% population under Indian control
5) Kashmir (Valley) = 8% of land and 39% population under Indian control
6) Ladakh = 28% of land and 2% population under Indian control
7) Trans-Karakoram Tract = 3% of land and 0% population under Chinese control

Further notes:
- One had to extrapolate percentages (using round figures) from a lot of different sources, none of which tally. Therefore Ladakh's land may actually be more of a percentage than quoted and the Kashmir Valley less than quoted.
- Siachen Glacier is a part of Baltistan but is directly controlled by India and Pakistan respectively without any internal State-level administrative link.

Now, let's return to the question: Should Kashmir Be An Independent State?

My 3 primary reasons have each been submitted separately after discussion with the admin at Kialo.com .

1) A neutral confederation of States replacing the old princely State of Jammu & Kashmir, will bring stability and advance economic progress in Asia, much like Switzerland did in Europe.

2) An independent Kashmir will greatly enhance water management technology in the region because its survival will depend on efficient supply of that water to the thirsty plains of India and Pakistan thus averting future wars over water.

3) Geographically, this region is at the intersection of diverse civilisations, harmony here could avert ideological wars elsewhere.
Human rights and religion in Kashmir

These were the threads leading up to the engagement:

Kialo 20/02/19:
Hi @AJK_Public_Agency, thanks for some amazing ideas! It occurs to me that there are a few separate ideas here, each of which might be worth developing as a separate claim? You could maybe create a separate claim to talk about efficient water use, and another to talk about promoting ideological harmony? The water claim might fit well into existing threads about Kashmir's strategic resources and rivers (here: Kashmir is extremely important to Pakistan as the source of its major rivers).

I'm afraid I don't quite understand the first idea you introduce though - why exactly would an independent Kashmir help promote stability and economic progress? And why is it like Switzerland?

Thanks again for contributing!

My response to Kialo 25/02/19:
As for your question(s): "why exactly would an independent Kashmir help promote stability and
economic progress? And why is it like Switzerland?" The answer to both parts of the question are intertwined.

This is Asia's century as forecasts go but is riddled with conflict in key areas such as Kashmir, which links to many of the old silk routes. Take a look at an economic map of Asia a thousand years ago. For India & Pakistan as well as China and Russia many criss-crossing routes for un-explored or under-utilised markets in the modern age, pass through this territory.

Our neutrality could change the political economy of the region (from conflict based on proprietary claims on neighbouring territories, where religious identity is used as a majoritarian weapon to compete on 'securitisation': to a people's narrative driven economy where citizens, as default arbiters of their inherited territory - are desperate to make their lives useful and ther democratic opinion valuable - opening routes would be fundamental to this turn-around) and there is some correlation between Swiss neutrality and European progress.

Furthermore; geography, topography, ethnic diversity, flows of major rivers into other neighbouring territories are all 'closer to nature' similarities with Switzerland while direct democracy, confederacy and neutrality are all favourable precedents for Kashmir (or the whole erstwhile princely State) to adopt.

We can take this discussion deep into history and use various analogies when comparing it to Switzerland, which announced neutrality in 1515. This stance gradually help fend off competing regional empires. Despite Switzerland's ethnic diversity, languages and proximity to larger powers it held together through sheer will of the people there, who were adamant on a distinct identity. All these traits are visible - if seemingly un-refined - here.

I am not the only one making this proposition or coming to such a suggestion for conflict resolution. Despite arriving at my conclusions through independent research on the ground here since 2005, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that an American journalist who covered this region extensively in the volatile 1990s, had made a similar assessment. Here's a link to her presentation at: The Hague in 1999

End of response......

Kialo:
@AJK_Public_Agency That's fascinating! Thanks so much.

Then, further elaboration was needed on primary reason number 3, namely:
 3) Geographically, this region is at the intersection of diverse civilisations, harmony here could avert ideological wars elsewhere.
Human rights and religion in Kashmir

Kialo 28/02/19 (Updated):
@AJK_Public_Agency This is an interesting idea - but I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "intersection of diverse civilizations" are you meaning in a religious sense?  As India and Pakistan were only partitioned in 1947 it seems unclear to me what you mean by this?

My response to Kialo 01/03/19 (Updated):
Well, if we were to account for just South Asia (including India & Pakistan) then yes the religious divide does appear prominent vis a vis Hindu and Muslim. However, a 360 degree view of the geography around Jammu & Kashmir would indicate historic exposure to diverse cultures/religions/languages/races etc. such as Central Asia (including Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey) as well as China.

Let me illustrate further:

Thus:  There are many religions, in or surrounding the State of Jammu & Kashmir -
Buddhist, Confucianist, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Taoist with many varieties of Muslim including further biblical connections with Christian and Jewish links...the 'Throne of Soloman' in Srinagar for example.

Many races:
Caucasoid. Mongoloid and Australoid
- If we adopt mid 20th century racial classification by American anthropologist Carleton S. Coon, who divided humanity broadly into five races. This would mean we host 3 of 5 globally.

Many ethnicities:
111 have been studied in just the Indian-controlled part of Jammu & Kashmir by the anthropolical survey of India.

Many languages:
Pahari (with variants such as Gojri, Dogri and Hindko), Kashmiri, Punjabi, Balti, Sheena, Ladhaki, Burushaski, Wakhi, Khowar and Bhaderwahi.
Officially English, Hindi and Urdu with heavy remnants of Persian still in use.

Many Cultures:
Influences within the wider geographic region as well as beyond are clearly visible in the major expressions of dress, food and living environment. It could be argued that the Kashmir Valley itself is most syncretic because it happens to be virtually in the geographic centre of this wider network of old silk routes or the wider State of Jammu & Kashmir, in its modern context. 

Geo-politics:
This region has also been at the cross-roads of many colonial/expansionist influences/tendencies throughout history.

End of response....

Kialo 03/03/19 (Updated):
@AJK_Public_Agency That is really interesting!  I didn't know many of those things. I'm just trying to think how we could incorporate some of that into the claim. I think we would also need to explain how this would avert ideological wars elsewhere - as i'm not sure how these diverse language and cultural backgrounds manifest themselves other than the conflict between India, Pakistan, China etc over Kashmir?

My response:
Well, this is where all 3 primary pros entered for this argument rely on each other to make an independent Kashmir practical.

Yes, that can be pondered over as to what can be added further to the argument.

Well, as the region is on the periphery of these contesting/colluding powers it cannot be central or even integral to how those countries function. All 3 are using expansionist - as opposed to genuine democratic - tools to expand the 'idea' of their respective national identities. This disenfranchisement means the onus is on us to prove our neutral geo-political tendencies (pro 1), water management technological capability (pro 2) and the will to distinguish our national identity in a diverse polity with divergent temptations (pro 3). The latter argument gives us a precedent in Switzerland (Please refer to my explanation for pro 1). We can use our history to reference quasi democratic traditions in autocracy, through the lineage of Kings ref. Prem Nath Bazaz (1954) The History of Struggle for Freedom in Kashmir: Cultural and Political, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. Kashmir Publishing Company. We also have a rich heritage of knowledge at Sharda, which some even describe as the oldest university in the world.

In short, our needs can take some inspiration from our heritage and parallel(s) to Switzerland to refrain from colluding with our neighbours, who are using ideology and or religious identity to attach us as a periphery to their respective centres. A neutral Kashmir would help our neighbours divert their energies elsewhere. Hopefully, away from conflict. This could have a positive spin-off elsewhere too.

End of response...

Kialo 04/03/19 (Updated):
@AJK_Public_Agency It seems to me that the key idea here is "A neutral Kashmir would help our neighbours divert their energies elsewhere. Hopefully, away from conflict. This could have a positive spin-off elsewhere too". Do you have some sources that might be able to back up this idea?

My response 05/03/19 (Updated):
Well, sources related to neutrality and Switzerland provide precedent, as already cited. Admittedly, it is difficult to be counter-factual here.

If such a diverse a region as J & K with potentially deep ethnic faultlines succeeds as a distinct polity, it would not only compel India and Pakistan to concentrate on alternative matters more central to their existence (education, health and employment of their deprived masses for example) but other regions of the world which usually get trapped in conflict based on religious, sectarian or other ethnic considerations could also possibly adjust their priorities likewise.

In Kashmir, we have enough of a diverse heritage to build on, which cannot happen when 3 neighbours are competing for our land, minus the people.

In terms of re-phrasing the argument, I would suggest the following although I appreciate that it may need further refining or substantiation:

Geographically, this region is at the intersection of diverse civilisations, utilising the rich and  diverse (spiritual and knowledge-based) heritage of this region could help convert the ideological expansionism of our neighbours into a more effective pro-life approach towards their own citizens. Becoming a venue for refined civil interaction that replaces military confrontation would also be an inspiration for other regions mired in identity-based conflict.

End of response....

Kialo 06/03/19 (Updated):
@AJK_Public_Agency I think that we are getting closer - can i suggest wording "Geographically, this region is at the intersection of diverse civilsations, utilising the diverse heritage of this region could help divert the ideological expansionism of its neighbours."  Then we could have separate claims beneath that to prove that it is a diverse (spiritual and knowledge based  region and also some claims about why this would divert Indian and Pakistani attentions to their own citizens?

I think the point about "becoming a venue for refined civil interaction..." is a completely separate point.  The only issue I have is that i'm not sure what the arguments for saying that India and Pakistan would become more interested in their approach to their own citizens would be.  I know you have the example of Switzerland but I think thats quite different because Switzerland had a long history of neutrality and I think is in a quite distinct position from Kashmir in that it has never been a disputed territory.  So i think in order to argue this we would need to provide more support than just "see it works in Switzerland".

My response 07/03/19 (Updated):
Yes, I appreciate you putting so much time and thought to this. I am thoroughly enjoying the exchange too. I think the way you have phrased it seems fine and I take along your point of adding the various arguments beneath it. As for India and Pakistan then becoming more interested in their approach to their own citizens, I think that would be inevitable given the huge military resources in use and ideological warfare both countries have been engaged in to gain the upper-hand against each other.

Both have also been very poor in water management despite sharing the water sources emanating from Kashmir. A lot of features of governance that 'normal' countries proceed with have been ignored by both countries over the past 72 years. The constant threat of war and publicity regarding it does sap one's energies. Indeed, both countries have much to benefit from trading with each other, which has been heavily restricted since 1947.

As for Switzerland, there is definitely a huge time lag and difference in political evolution between it and Kashmir. Switzerland was a disputed territory and that's why it declared neutrality in 1515. However, I do agree that any similarities between the 2 need to be qualified. I think my point is rather more eloquently described by Kathy Arlyn Sokol in the reference I gave for pro 1. Here's the link again.

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