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SRINAGAR: The proposed visit of senior Israeli army officer to J&K has triggered a major row in Kashmir with mainstream and separatist parties calling it a “dangerous liaison” that could send wrong signals among the people of the Muslim majority state.
Israeli deputy chief of general staff Major General Moshe Kaplinsky is likely to visit J&K from June 14 to discuss various issues with army officers in the state. He is likely to meet Lt Gen Tej Sapru, general officer commanding of 16 corps and other senior officers in the state to discuss issues of mutual interest.
Main opposition party the National Conference has cautioned that his visit will negate the peace process and defeat the basic concept of friendship between India and Pakistan.
“The visit of the Israeli army officer is fraught with danger. It will send a wrong signal that the Centre is not ready to solve Kashmir politically,” said Dr Mehboob Beg, provincial president of the National Conference.
Beg warned that the peace process is at a crucial stage and any wrong step will derail the entire process.
“On one hand, India and Pakistan are inching towards friendship and on the other, the Israeli military officer is visiting Kashmir. People in the Valley generally abhor Israel because of its oppression against Palestinians,” he said. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), an important partner in the Azad led government, too is not impressed by the high profile visit.
“Normally a visit by Israeli army officer will not be welcomed by Kashmiris. People are very much concerned in the state. And above all, his visit is not a good sign,” said Muzaffar Hussain Baig, senior PDP leader and former deputy chief minister of J&K.
The Congress is playing a tourism card saying Kashmir is a tourist place and anybody can visit it. “I see the visit as a just a tourist visit ,” said Abdul Gani Vakil, of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee.
