Afsir Karim
Encyclopedia
Major General Afsir Karim, is a retired Indian Army
general and military scholar who has authored several books on strategic affairs & military studies. He is a graduate of the Defense Services Staff College
, Wellington
and the National Defence College
.
in the Eastern Sector. In 1978, he assumed command of an infantry brigade in high altitude in the Northern Sector. In May 1984, he took over command of an infantry division of the Southern Command
.
A specialist of issues related to terrorism
, he has authored a number of books - Sri Lanka Crisis (co-author 1990); Counter-Terrorism
: The Pakistan Factor (1991); Transnational Terrorism: Danger in the South (1995); Story of the Airborne Forces (1995) and Kashmir: The Troubled Frontiers (1994). He was a former editor of the premier Indian defense publication 'The Indian Defense Review' and a life trustee on the Forum for Strategic & Security Studies.
He is considered to be a pre-eminent expert in the complex topic of the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir
having served a good part of his career in that part of India. His views and opinions regarding the various aspects of the Kashmir dispute
from a strategic, military and historical viewpoint are regularly sought by leading Indian and international publications.
Karim has written extensively on Kashmir and he authored Op-Topac, the semi-fictional account of Pakistan's game plan for Kashmir. In 1996 he wrote 'The J&K Problem: An Interpretative Study'. Occasional Paper 2. Forum For Strategic and Security Studies, New Delhi.
His work is particularly significant because of the nuclear weapons dimension introduced in the subcontinent with both India and Pakistan
being proven nuclear powers. Kashmir is considered to be a potential flashpoint for a nuclear dispute between the two often belligerent neighbors by much of the western and international community.
He was a member of India's National Security Advisory Board (1999-2001), and was awarded the AVSM for distinguished service of an exceptional order by the Indian government
for his military service.
He retired from the Indian Army on 31 May 1989.
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
general and military scholar who has authored several books on strategic affairs & military studies. He is a graduate of the Defense Services Staff College
Staff college
Staff colleges train military officers in the administrative, staff and policy aspects of their profession. It is usual for such training to occur at several levels in a career...
, Wellington
Wellington Cantonment
Wellington is a cantonment town in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu. It is the Regimental Centre for the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army. One of its most famous residents was Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who died in the town on June 27, 2008....
and the National Defence College
National Defence College, India
The National Defence College of India, located in New Delhi, is an institution of higher learning of the defence forces of India. The institution was inaugurated on 27 April 1960 and is the only military institution in the country that imparts knowledge on all aspects of national security and...
.
Army career
General Karim was commissioned in the Indian Army in June 1954. He commanded a Para Battalion during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
in the Eastern Sector. In 1978, he assumed command of an infantry brigade in high altitude in the Northern Sector. In May 1984, he took over command of an infantry division of the Southern Command
Southern Command
Southern Command can refer to a number of military commands:*Southern Command *Southern Command *Southern Command *Southern Command *United States Southern Command*Southern Command ...
.
A specialist of issues related to terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
, he has authored a number of books - Sri Lanka Crisis (co-author 1990); Counter-Terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
: The Pakistan Factor (1991); Transnational Terrorism: Danger in the South (1995); Story of the Airborne Forces (1995) and Kashmir: The Troubled Frontiers (1994). He was a former editor of the premier Indian defense publication 'The Indian Defense Review' and a life trustee on the Forum for Strategic & Security Studies.
He is considered to be a pre-eminent expert in the complex topic of the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
having served a good part of his career in that part of India. His views and opinions regarding the various aspects of the Kashmir dispute
Kashmir conflict
The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, the northwesternmost region of South Asia....
from a strategic, military and historical viewpoint are regularly sought by leading Indian and international publications.
Karim has written extensively on Kashmir and he authored Op-Topac, the semi-fictional account of Pakistan's game plan for Kashmir. In 1996 he wrote 'The J&K Problem: An Interpretative Study'. Occasional Paper 2. Forum For Strategic and Security Studies, New Delhi.
His work is particularly significant because of the nuclear weapons dimension introduced in the subcontinent with both India and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
being proven nuclear powers. Kashmir is considered to be a potential flashpoint for a nuclear dispute between the two often belligerent neighbors by much of the western and international community.
He was a member of India's National Security Advisory Board (1999-2001), and was awarded the AVSM for distinguished service of an exceptional order by the Indian government
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
for his military service.
He retired from the Indian Army on 31 May 1989.