India’s Defense Against Terrorism in Kashmir

Michael Krepon clearly outlines Pakistan’s role in fomenting violence in India (Commentary, Nov. 7). India is a secular democracy while Pakistan has had military dictatorships and is an Islamic state. The people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir have participated in local, state and national elections, and the main political party in the state is part of the national ruling coalition government.

India has been quite humane in its handling of the Kashmir crisis. In fact, many would argue that it should follow the U.S. and Israeli line and attack the terrorists where they train and receive funding and support, in Pakistan. Over 50,000 people have died as a result of Islamic terrorism supported by Pakistan. While there have been a few civilian casualties and some abuses by the Indian army, unavoidable in such a drawn-out defense against terrorism, those incidents are few in number in comparison with the large-scale massacres of whole Hindu and Sikh communities in the state, selected targeting of moderate and pro-Indian Muslims and killings of innocent civilians.

Mihir Meghani

Fremont, Calif.