FJ Kashmir

  Book: Undaunted: Lt Ummer Fayaz of Kashmir Author: bhaavna aroar   Publisher: Westland books Pages: 232     inam ul rehman   “I am writing a book on Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz,” says bhaavna arora to a bookstore owner at the Srinagar airport to see his reaction. “Yes, I have heard of him,” says the owner. “But you know,” continues he, “there was an innocent shepherd boy who was killed by the forces yesterday. He was mistaken for a terrorist. I am pretty sure no one will write a book on him.”    It is these honest conversations that the author peppers on her eponymous book. Written in an interesting, absorbing way with parallel tracks the book crafts the story of a young Ummer, who was sure he is safe among his people even after being commissioned lieutenant of the 2 Rajputana Rifles .    From an early age, Ummer was groomed by his father to think and be different from his peers.  The protagonist lives up to this grooming. Not just be...

  Why are Indo-Pak making the bodies of Kashmiris as their battleground?   inam ul rehman                     A couple of top army commanders that include Srinagar based 15 Corps , Lt Gen D P Pandey , and director-general of the Defence Intelligence Agency and deputy chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, Lt Gen. KJS Dhillon , chided Kashmiris for remaining silent on civilian killings that took place in the month of October. The latter used the words “selective dementia” and “silent majority” while referring to civilian killings in the Valley   ( https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/why-selective-dementia-happens-to-silent-majority-when-theres-terrorist-killing-in-kashmir-lt-gen-kanwal-jeet-singh20211021001143/ ).    Since the army does straight talk, I will say it point blank.  When the Sikh pogrom took place in 1984, it was expected that the s...