rahul1117kumar
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Following the dastardly terror attack in Uri, a knee-jerk reaction has been exhibited by the Indian government. For the Prime Minister who made national security a major poll plank, time calls for him to live up to his rhetoric. Prominent members within the political establishment have made it clear that New Delhi would not remain a mute spectator this time around. “While I strongly condemn this act of cowardice, I am not one bit in favour of responding with cowardice,” said Cabinet Minister in PMO, Jitendra Singh. Similar views have been reiterated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who went ahead to say that Pakistan should be defined as a ‘terror state’.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing that “those behind the despicable attack will not go unpunished”, defence and strategic commentators have turned curious about the possible actions which India could take to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Since Islamabad has straightaway rejected involvement in the attack, and termed India’s allegations as ‘vitriolic’, there is a possibility that bad blood between the two nations could further escalate. While it would be an overstatement to say that Narendra Modi government would take a ‘populist decision’, but the ruling regime is under considerable pressure due to the popular public sentiment which calls for a ‘war’ with the ‘notorious neighbour’.
Here are the pragmatic military options available before India to send out a stern message to Pakistan:
India could begin cross-border raids against Pakistan. Indian army has reportedly sought permission from the government to carry out “limited but punitive” strikes across the Line of Control (LOC). The strikes would send out a clear message to Pakistan that Indian army is well prepared and determined to retaliate to such cross-border terror strikes.
Another immediate need for India is to seal its borders and prevent infiltration with greater efficiency. After the cross-border assault at Pathankot airbase, the terror strike at Uri has created an embarrassment for the defence establishment. The ease through which the fidayeens entered the military camp and hurled 17 grenades at the army barrack makes one question the security setup. With winter approaching soon, the non-state actors in Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to infiltrate their cadres into Indian-administered-Kashmir before snowfall begins. This would be litmus test for the Intelligence as well as the Border Security Force to articulate their firmness by foiling all efforts of cross-border infiltration.
Here are the tempting options before India which could be a huge gamble for Narendra Modi government:
The most lucrative option, as per nationalist experts of yellow-journalistic television channels, would be to carry out airstrikes at the militant base of non-state actors in PoK and Bahawalpur. If government does give a nod for air raid against the Lashkar camps based in PoK, there is a huge possibility of collateral damage. Whether the operation remains successful or unsuccessful, it would provide Pakistan with a near about legit reason to initiate a nuclear war against India.
Some experts have opined that Indian army should carry out a covert military option by entering into the enemy’s territory. The fundamental flaw with this suggestion is that unlike Myanmar which allowed Indian army regiment to launch an attack against NSCN-K cadres on its soil, Pakistan would provide no tacit support to a ‘foreign army’. With no tacit alliance with the forces across the border to eliminate the non-state actors, India might need to play the card which Rawalpindi has been playing against us – creation of state-sponsored non-state actors. Although one expects ‘Indian James Bond’ Ajit Doval to take such brave decisions, India would require at least years of preparation to carry out such covert operations. Although this tactic has been mastered by Pakistan to bleed India with thousand cuts in Kashmir, New Delhi being responsible of the two neighbours could not replicate it.
A naval blockade against Karachi could create panic across the border. It would send out a clear message that New Delhi is eager to economically exhaust Pakistan. However, such a brazen move would compel others in South Asia to express anguish against India, particularly Pakistan’s time-trusted ally China.
As far as diplomatic operations are concerned, here are the options before India. But they are likely not to yield any results.
India could press for sanctions against Pakistan for providing safe haven to extremist groups. New Delhi could also move to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), if it succeeds in establishing the fact the Pakistan is facilitating terror. As per United Nations resolution 1373, as accepted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, considerable action could be taken by the member nations against a state which provides safe haven to those who plan, finance, organize and coordinate terror and other extremist forms of violence. However, any punitive action against Pakistan would be vociferously defended by China. Geopolitical compulsions would even force United States to refrain from acting tough against Islamabad.
Uri terror attack: What military, diplomatic options are available for India - can they be used against Pakistan? - India.com
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing that “those behind the despicable attack will not go unpunished”, defence and strategic commentators have turned curious about the possible actions which India could take to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Since Islamabad has straightaway rejected involvement in the attack, and termed India’s allegations as ‘vitriolic’, there is a possibility that bad blood between the two nations could further escalate. While it would be an overstatement to say that Narendra Modi government would take a ‘populist decision’, but the ruling regime is under considerable pressure due to the popular public sentiment which calls for a ‘war’ with the ‘notorious neighbour’.
Here are the pragmatic military options available before India to send out a stern message to Pakistan:
India could begin cross-border raids against Pakistan. Indian army has reportedly sought permission from the government to carry out “limited but punitive” strikes across the Line of Control (LOC). The strikes would send out a clear message to Pakistan that Indian army is well prepared and determined to retaliate to such cross-border terror strikes.
Another immediate need for India is to seal its borders and prevent infiltration with greater efficiency. After the cross-border assault at Pathankot airbase, the terror strike at Uri has created an embarrassment for the defence establishment. The ease through which the fidayeens entered the military camp and hurled 17 grenades at the army barrack makes one question the security setup. With winter approaching soon, the non-state actors in Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to infiltrate their cadres into Indian-administered-Kashmir before snowfall begins. This would be litmus test for the Intelligence as well as the Border Security Force to articulate their firmness by foiling all efforts of cross-border infiltration.
Here are the tempting options before India which could be a huge gamble for Narendra Modi government:
The most lucrative option, as per nationalist experts of yellow-journalistic television channels, would be to carry out airstrikes at the militant base of non-state actors in PoK and Bahawalpur. If government does give a nod for air raid against the Lashkar camps based in PoK, there is a huge possibility of collateral damage. Whether the operation remains successful or unsuccessful, it would provide Pakistan with a near about legit reason to initiate a nuclear war against India.
Some experts have opined that Indian army should carry out a covert military option by entering into the enemy’s territory. The fundamental flaw with this suggestion is that unlike Myanmar which allowed Indian army regiment to launch an attack against NSCN-K cadres on its soil, Pakistan would provide no tacit support to a ‘foreign army’. With no tacit alliance with the forces across the border to eliminate the non-state actors, India might need to play the card which Rawalpindi has been playing against us – creation of state-sponsored non-state actors. Although one expects ‘Indian James Bond’ Ajit Doval to take such brave decisions, India would require at least years of preparation to carry out such covert operations. Although this tactic has been mastered by Pakistan to bleed India with thousand cuts in Kashmir, New Delhi being responsible of the two neighbours could not replicate it.
A naval blockade against Karachi could create panic across the border. It would send out a clear message that New Delhi is eager to economically exhaust Pakistan. However, such a brazen move would compel others in South Asia to express anguish against India, particularly Pakistan’s time-trusted ally China.
As far as diplomatic operations are concerned, here are the options before India. But they are likely not to yield any results.
India could press for sanctions against Pakistan for providing safe haven to extremist groups. New Delhi could also move to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), if it succeeds in establishing the fact the Pakistan is facilitating terror. As per United Nations resolution 1373, as accepted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, considerable action could be taken by the member nations against a state which provides safe haven to those who plan, finance, organize and coordinate terror and other extremist forms of violence. However, any punitive action against Pakistan would be vociferously defended by China. Geopolitical compulsions would even force United States to refrain from acting tough against Islamabad.
Uri terror attack: What military, diplomatic options are available for India - can they be used against Pakistan? - India.com
