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Volgograd, the south-western city of Russia, was the target of recent terrorist attacks in which more than 30 people lost their lives. The latest bombings are the third in the past three months. It has been suspected that the attacks are in consonance with the previous ones carried out by the Islamist militants operating from North Caucasus — an active playground for violent anti-Russian separatist movements. Doku Umarov, the Islamist militant leader from Chechnya, is the prime suspect in the Volgograd attacks. Previously, he had given the call to target the Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi in February. It is anticipated that the recent bombings were carried out to disrupt the games.
The bombings in Russia bring into notice the challenges which India also faces in tackling Islamic militancy. In fact, the Chechen insurgency has in the past been compared to the insurgency in Kashmir. Pakistan, for long been a terrorist safe haven, has been the common factor behind the disturbance in both areas. Kashmir is the base of the jihadist struggle but others parts of India, like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and most recently Bihar, have faced the brunt of terrorist attacks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attacks in Volgograd. He said, "Whatever the motivation of the criminals may be, there can be no justification for crimes committed against civilians, especially women and children." Mr Putin has ordered law enforcement agencies to take adequate measures to ensure security and stability in the region. In the past, Russia has been the target of various terrorist attacks. The Volgograd attacks are reminiscent of the past bombings carried out in Moscow, Buynaksk and Volgodonsk in 1999 which eventually triggered the Second Chechen War by Russia.
Since 1988-1989, India has faced secessionist movement in Kashmir. Similarly, Russia has also had recurring separatist movements in the Caucasus since its disintegration in 1991. Chechnya falls within the North Caucasian region where conflicts over separation from Russia have been happening for decades. Both the conflicts have, however, taken a new dimension due to the impact of jihadist ideology and the influence of international terrorist groups like Al Qaeda. In the past, some media reports had brought forth the connection between jihadists in Kashmir and Chechnya. This put the spotlight on the the terror infrastructure in place that allows jihadists to operate on this scale.
The choosing of Volgograd as the venue of the bombings has been symbolic from the point of view of the militants, who are expanding their base beyond the Caucasus. Mr Putin had resolved to wipe out extremist activities from Russia and his handling of the events in North Caucasus in the 1990s made him popular. But 14 years later, Russia is still haunted by the Chechen War, in the form of these attacks. Insurgent activities continue in Chechnya and in the neighbouring Republics of Dagestan and Ingushetia.
The recent attacks also bring into picture the high-handedness of the Russian administration in clamping down on the activities of the Islamists in run up to the Sochi Olympics. Their mosques and educational institutions have been shut and their religious leaders subjected to harassment. All this has led to further radicalisation.
In the past, India had implemented the Prevention of Terrorism Act after the attack on Parliament in 2002, but it was repealed after it came under criticism after supposedly indiscriminate arrests. One can question if using extreme force to wipe out terrorist activities really help in weeding them out. After the attacks, Russia has tightened its security conditions as the Sochi Olympics is just around the corner.
India has always sought to establish strategic partnerships to fight terrorism with major global players. The India-Russia Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism, for instance, was set up in 2002. During the recent visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Moscow, the Moscow Declaration of 2001 on International Terrorism between the countries was reiterated. This reflects that both the countries work closely on this issue.
The India-Russia strategic relationship encompasses Russia's pro-India posture on Kashmir and India's support for the Russian position on Chechnya. The recent Volgograd attacks have garnered a tough response from India. Prime Minister Singh has condemned the recent attacks. He said, "These attacks are a grave violation of human rights and an unconscionable crime against humanity. We stand resolutely together with the people of Russia in the face of these horrible acts of terrorism." In this moment of despair, when Russia is grappling with the problem of terrorism on its home-front and also trying to successfully host the Sochi Olympics, India should show solidarity with its old friend.
(The writer is an Associate Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, Delhi)
Courtesy: The Pioneer, January 10, 2014
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