Wake Up Call for Jammu Region

This facts-based book contains the saga of gory attacks carried out by the foreign- inspired-terrorist elements in erstwhile Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts and stray incidents near the border belts or other parts of Jammu region.

BY OP Sharma

Title of the book: Terrorism & Proxy War in Jammu
Author: Dr Kulbhushan Mohtra
Publisher: Author, Panchvati Apartment, Nanak Nagar, Jammu
Year 2024
Pages 364
Price Rs 495

This 364-page book entitled “Terrorism & Proxy War in Jammu Region” in English has been authored by eminent writer Dr Kulbhushan Mohtra, vividly drawing detailed description of the horror of terrorism in Jammu region. It is first time that the graphic and authentic account of the frozen turbulence of terrorism in Jammu region has now been duly highlighted by Dr Mohtra; while terror-hit Kashmir valley hogged headlines everywhere.
It is noteworthy that the terrorism has presently been considerably contained and controlled by the determined drive of the Government and the active support of the general public, especially after August 15, 2019. Though the chapter of terrorism has come to a halt and the campaigning and polling been recorded high this year.
But the merit of this book is that it has put sharp focus on the “less or unreported deaths and destruction of terrorism and proxy war” efforts from across the border in Jammu region putting the historical record clear and clean. Now the evil has been nipped in the bud with the determined efforts of the Security Forces and the common masses.

Factual Account
This facts-based book contains the saga of gory attacks carried out by the foreign- inspired-terrorist elements in erstwhile Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts and stray incidents near the border belts or other parts of Jammu region with malicious designs causing stray deaths and destruction. The author has vividly tried to expose the image and intentions of ” radical Islamic terrorists” to cast evil eyes on the whole of Jammu and Kashmir but the brave Defence Forces along with the strong will of the people frustrated their nefarious designs and machinations.
There are numerous accounts detailing the horror of terrorism in the Kashmir valley but the story of nefarious design of covert or proxy war in Jammu was not highlighted adequately and remained in some instances ” untold story” which has now been told vividly . The present hard work by Dr Kulbhushan has put spot- light on the sordid story of terrorism in Jammu region.

Menace to Universe
It is worthwhile to point out that while the entire nation and the world knows what had happened in Kashmir but does know little about the gory incidents and blood-bath that took place in Jammu province ( much more vast in area with difficult terrain and close to the Pak border).
This book has done a commendable job and brought hidden facts of “mass brutality of terrorism by some anti-social and anti-national elements “, to public domain!

Book Released Recently
This book has been released at an impressive function in which top leaders of BJP namely: Ravinder Raina, Dr Jitendra Singh, Ashok Koul, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Ghulam Ali Khatana, Shamsher Singh Manhas and many prominent persons attended and had a good word for the author and the narrative in the book. The author Dr Kulbushan spoke of having written nine credible factual books based on authentic sources and his latest this work has “historic value”.
A significant feature is that the author has given exact dates, description of location of terror attacks, from time to time, and also provided names and even photographs of the victims of terrorism. The author must have done much laborious job and research work for this valuable historical book titled” Terrorism & Proxy War in Jammu Region” and I think it will lead to more research for the malady and devise suitable short and long-term strategy for durable solution for this inhuman turbulence and trouble to nip this dangerous evil of terrorism in the bud.

Mine of Vital Data
Prof Dr Kulbhusan Mohtra, born in village Amuwala in Kathua district on September 9,1957 and got education up to Ph.D and is presently in-charge of Nanaji Deshmokh Library & Documentation Centre, BJP State at Trikuta Nagar, Jammu . He authored some books and one or two were reviewed by me.
The book under review has Messages by renowned RSS staIwart who has worked in Jammu, Shri Indresh Kumarji;
Maj Gen (Retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (who has served as Military Secretary to the President of India) and eminent Prof Dr Madhu Krishan who have described the book as very valuable historical work for terror attacks over the years killing many innocent citizens mainly in Jammu region over the years . I have gone through the book and found it informative and instructive and wish its translations in Hindi, Urdu, Dogri and other languages be made available for wider readership.
The book has quality printing, well illustrated pictures, research data and written in a simple but stylish English. This is a must read book by one and all. The academicians, students, scholars and all others should particularly go through it and seek solution to the menace of terrorism which is a threat to entire humanity .
“Even though no book can explain the nature of sufferings the people had underwent, yet Dr Kulbhushan has tried to depict the overall picture of subversive attacks carried out across Jammu region in addition to nefarious terrorist activities across the Jammu and Kahmir causing untold sufferings to the people. It is a redeeming feature that ” suitable remedial measures have been taken ” and terrorism being wiped out and now durable peace is prevailing leading to all round accelerated progress and fast-paced developed along with efforts to win the hearts of the masses. Now the Parliamentary poll process like other parts of the Bharat is on and side by side elections will be held in due course to usher in democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
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O.P. Sharma

The author is a veteran journalist, has numerous articles and special interviews published in various reputed newspapers and magazines in and outside Jammu and Kashmir.