America’s successful stealth strike against Osama bin Laden has led many to ask whether India should carry out similar covert operations against targets in Pakistan. The strategic analyst community also asked whether India had the capacity to take out the five or so ‘wanted’ terrorists/criminals who currently reside in Pakistan.
Can India hunt down these men? Army Chief Gen VK Singh and Air Force Chief Air Marshal PV Naik led from the front. Gen Singh said Indian armed forces were “competent” to carry out a similar operation. Air Chief Marshal P V Naik had also said that India has the capability to carry out such surgical strikes against terrorists. He said, “India can do it.” Intelligence officials also say the US Navy Seals operation could not have been mounted without close cooperation between Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and the US’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – something not possible between India’s Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) and ISI.
However, a battle raged in civil society over whether emasculation of sovereignty was the price to pay for stamping out terrorism.
Being an Indian, I strongly doubt if those are best option for India. Let me categorically put me in simple terms. When 27/11 happened, everyone expected India to go for unilateral strike against terrorist camp, but we didn’t do it, and I understand why ?
India doesn’t enjoy the status that US enjoys. they have stronger voice in security council, much of western nation are pro US lobby. Secondly ,US and Pakistan are strategic partner(at least that’s what they say to whole world). they aid Pakistan, help them getting loan from IMF, World Bank, feed them with latest weapon. So Pakistan need USA in many ways. They are nothing without US and what India is doing to Pakistan ? nothing ? instead we are in logger head.
US military is more than 10 time bigger in terms of weapon, size, technologies, capability. When USA lead Osama operation without anyone’s permission, Pakistan can’t retaliate. They knew that it will lead to wrath of USA generals, and will lead to strong conflict. in that sense, India does have strong army, air force but yet Pakistan will certainly retaliate, as being anti Indian is what makes ISI/Pakistan army keep going on day to day business.
Had India gone for unilateral strike after 26/11, the world would had taken it as a retaliation of a wounded state and most of them wouldn’t had minded to stand beside us, but now that the world order has changed, and with recent Osama saga, the world has become more cautious and any such attempt will be directly considered as infringing the sovereignty of another country.
We cannot afford to be pushed down by anyone into so called “Anti-Islamic” world given the fact that we have the largest population of Muslims in the world.
I believe that covert operations can be mounted to eliminate the threat and impose costs on terror masterminds, but that can only happen when the nation’s civilian-political- defense leadership gives a clearance for creation of specific assets for specific missions.
to be held in Mumbai on April 2.
and with all hotels booked to capacity, there are no rooms left for visitors from Pakistan, who are now travelling to nearby cities to get accommodation.
to watch the semi-final match between India and Pakistan at Mohali, has put many minds in clouds of uncertainty as all have been reminded of an earlier invitation sent to the then Pakistan’s president Pervez Musharraf in 2005 to watch the India-Pakistan one day match at Feroz Shah Kotla.
cricket match is mother of all matches. It is not less than a war of emotions and excitement goes high with entire nation coming to a halt to watch this game of cricket. I personally feel politicians should stay away and instead of sacrificing the spirit of game for diplomacy, better they watch it on their TV sets rather than going to stadium and putting unnecessary pressure on the players.