Thank you for your kind comments. I will try to find other sources as well. I'm sure there might have been some atrocities done by the Indian Army to maintain law and order. I haven't heard of any soldier being convicted.
If you disagree with some of my statements then please let me know so that it broadens my knowledge and understanding. All that I have written is not from my own mind but from sources....
As
@Joe Shearer has noted, your post was a good summation. Sorry to butt in but one instance of an example is the Machchil 'encounter' and the sentences handed to the Commanding Officer, One Officer, 03 x NCOs and a TA soldier of life imprisonment.
A brief background which may try and exhibit why it was actually a case wherein justice was done. I won't be posting the names of the unit(s) involved for obvious reasons (you can google it), but the issue was a complex one as it was presented as a case where 03 youth from Rafiabad were likely to cross the LC along Machchil nala towards Ringpen Village (Pakistani side) adjacent to Lunda Ridge where the nala enters Pakistani Kashmir. It was impressed upon all concerned that these were fresh recruits for LeT and were crossing over to get weapons and demolition training.
The information was given by 03 members of SOG who presented the information as a 'hard int' and claimed to have definite information about it and wanted Rs 50000 per person as their reward. Since these SOGs were turned militants, the cash incentive was understandable and they claimed that the money would help convince them three youth of their association with the local tanzeem.
They approached one particular infantry unit in Machchil, whose commanding officer declined to act on this information as he was unsure about the veracity of the whole 'Int'. Now you need to understand that only pass opening into Machchil is through Zamindar Khan Gali in Shamshabari overlooking Kupwara town. This pass is manned by security personnel at all times which is composed of army with JK Police personnel of local area stationed there for identification and verification.
The fact that these youth managed to pass into Machchil from an alternative route indicates that there might be some truth to claims that they were planning to cross LC for arms training. However, this is in hindsight and merely speculative.
The concerned unit which was ultimately involved, had completed a successful tenure in the region which is high altitude and one of the most active regions adjacent to Keran, and was in the process of de-induction and was approached by the said trio after being cold shouldered by the infantry unit earlier.
So, the CO and certain close knit confidantes took a call to consider this as an actionable 'Int' and agreed. What transpired is a tale of gross military stupidity which led to the whole case coming to fore. Am sure you can google the salient points of the case as they have been adequately covered by the media.
However, the rumour persisted with 'sources' that indeed the youth were in touch with handlers across the LC and it was an egress from J&K to Kel that was intercepted. But since no one came forward as a witness officially, this holds no water in this case.
The 'encounter' took place in general area due west of Pachnar in Machchil which is heavily forested and is composed of a deep valley with steep inclines surrounding it, rendering quick assault/fast moving operations difficult if not impossible. The concerned unit made the mistake of not alerting surrounding units and teams which is a norm and after the killing claimed an interception of a group. The most glaring aspect of the operation was the absence of any radio 'chatter' associated with any military operation for coordination and control. The unit later tried to pass it off as complete domination of the area requiring no communication, a near impossibility in the terrain.
Why I have given you a brief background is so that you understand that army could have easily made this case into a case wherein there was actionable "INT" and circumstantial "evidence" to carry out a liquidation. However, given the facts as a whole, even the army, after initial jubilation and euphoria of a successful interception, felt that the story was not adding up, especially in the manner the 'Op' was carried out.
That there was a civil hue and cry and pressure of state and central government in aftermath of large scale protests, was immaterial for the army to order a CoI. It were the above facts which did not add up, that made army take a look at the case again and order a CoI.
Sorry, this is a rough note only.
As for your reference to numerous rapes etc etc .. something which the common PDF member keeps perpetuating, am sure you shall agree that the human civil society is not perfect and there are crooks and down right bAstards of all kinds in every society.
Unfortunately, some manage to get power by wearing an uniform. Let me assure you, that the number of people who have been punished for rapes equals the number of rapes actually committed. There is no leniency in that, we can't afford the leniency there.
There is a propensity for women to cry rape as the security forces throw a cordon to search and apprehend militants on intelligence tip offs at ties to stall the forces and permit the militants to escape in the resultant imbroglio. In J&K as we have permitted media coverage, this trick is quite effective in stalling a cordon and search.
Are you aware that the stone pelting is normally an act taken up by school going and college children of 14-24 years and usually after their working hours or after friday prayers? And usually their (school children) mothers will intervene quickly in order to protect them ... at times providing screen for these kids to continue with their acts in which case the CRPF women company takes care of the situation
What the security forces do, is usually ask all women folk to clear out from a place they intend to search, something that is verified by CRPF women constables who are present, and then conduct a search. At no time do the troops enter a house without ensuring all inmates are accounted for outside the house.
The reasons are:
1. It ensures presence of registered and bonafide inhabitants of the village/town as also guests only. This is verified from the master list as also by the headman(in case of a village) personally identifying individuals and their identifying documents, usually an Aadhar Card nowadays.
2. That all citizens are safe in case of a gunfight.
3. That the house can be fired in case there are militants hiding in the house or within the insulated walls with no requirement of room entry.
If rapes were so common, then young girls would not be calling indian soldiers 'hun' (or dog) to their face ... lol
Also, the general Kashmiri has nothing against any army personnel or officer. Unlike what our friends from Pakistan want to believe and indeed perpetuate, the average Kashmiri is fully able to recognise a military personnel and as long as the personnel is in civil clothes and roaming around, he is never touched and is looked after as a guest in the true spirit of Kashmiriyat.
There have been instances wherein an army officer/personnel roaming around as an actual tourist in civil clothes has been warned with good intent of impending civil unrest by the very same people who indulge in it to leave the area in order to be safe. The same people will target the same guy if he is in uniform any other time. It has nothing to do with Indians or Kashmiris but more to do with government and civil population. Sad!