Update on Militants' Efforts in Kashmir & Pakistan Earthquake Zones
By Andrew Cochran
Victor Comras posted last week about the Kashmir militants' use of earthquake relief as a recruitment tool. I just heard from a U.S. government official who recently traveled to the region (and liked Victor's post) and provided this feedback:
I was able to travel briefly to the earthquake-affected areas--Muzaffarabad (in Pakistani Kashmir) and Mansehra and Shinkiari (in the Northwest Frontier Province). The Pakistani religious parties (namely the Jamaat-I-islami) and extremist groups (Jamaat ul-dawa--formerly the Lashkar-eTayyiba) have definitely taken advantage of the situation to try to win support from the population. They were the first to get into the affected areas and are experienced in social work, whereas the political parties in the area are not and have bearly been visible. Although the Pakistani military was slow off the mark, they are very much there now and apparently working pretty well with the NGO community. Most are doubtful that the religious groups can translate their earned good will with the people into votes at the scheduled July 2006 polls in Pakistani Kashmir. The question is whether these groups will be able to take advantage of the situation to renew support for militancy in Indian Kashmir. This is a question that no one can answer yet, but all should be focused on.
On the positive side of the ledger, the U.S. Embassy and military are doing a terrific job in providing relief and logistical support to the Pakistanis, and our humanitarian gesture is paying off with the Pakistani people. Everyone I met --including people traditionally hostile toward U.S. policy--commented that the U.S. relief efforts were really appreciated and had helped improve the Amercia's image with the average Pakistani. I think our Ambassador is doing a fantastic job and making a difference. We just need to sustain the momentum.
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