Skulduggery in paradise

Spymaster AS Dulat in his book ‘Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years’ sums up the history of paradise on earth. The former spy chief speaks to us about his book and his experience in the valley

Former Research and Analysis Wing chief and PMO’s advisor on Kashmir, Amarjit Singh Dulat authored ‘Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years’; the book summarises the valley’s 25 years of history and narrates the contemporary issues the region faces.

“It took me more than a year to pen this book, which I co-authored with Aditya Sinha, who is a senior journalist and a close friend of mine. He also has watched Kashmir from a close distance and we have put our expertise into this book,” Dulat shares.

AS Dulat is a former special director of the Intelligence Bureau, where he served as the Head of Research and Analysis Wing from 1999 to 2000. Post retirement,he was appointed as advisor on Kashmir in the Prime Minister’s Office and served there from January 2001 to May 2004.

The spymaster, known for his special approach to handle delicate issues in the valley, served as Joint Director in Intelligence Bureau from 1988 to 1990.“The trouble started brewing up in the valley in 1989 and continued for two years. That was the most troublesome period for the valley. We did not expect that it would happen so rapidly. However, the situation started improving gradually,” he informs.

‘Kashmir: The Vajpayee Years’ discloses details about former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his experience during the insurgency in the valley and an insider’s view on the issues in Kashmir.

“The period from 1998 to 2004 under Vajpayee in Kashmir was fruitful. Our PM visited Pakistan twice, despite the 1999 Kargil war. The foundation for peace was being laid,” Dulat points out.

Although, Dulat does not reveal any Kashmir secrets in the book, his insight on the area are unique, thanks to his affair with the valley. During the two decades spent in Kashmir, Dulat closely watched the valley and its transition. Speaking about AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Acts), which garnered flak from several sections for concerns about human rights violations and alleged enforcements, Dulat says that the army should be removed, atleast partially, if not completely.

“It should be removed from one district and the progress should be monitored. If it works well then it should be done district-wise. If it doesn’t work, it can be re-imposed. But, a chance should be given at least on experimental basis,” Dulat points out.

Of course, Dulat faced his share of criticism for the book, particularly for the chapter on the hijacking of Indian Airlines IC 814 by Pakistan-backed terrorists, which does not mention the presence of RAW officer ShashiBhushan Singh Tomar.

“It is all rubbish. It was coincidence that Tomar was in that ill-fated flight. He was, maybe, coming for a holiday from Nepal to Delhi. He is a fellow colleague and there is nothing much there to write about it,” the first time author says.

So, what of the present situation in Kashmir? Dulat is not impressed with it. "People in Srinagar are not happy and neither are the people in Kashmir,” he says.“The coalition government of BJP-PDP is not sticking to their agendas and there is no progress in the valley,” he points out.