Let terror condemnation substantiate
For India being a victim of Pakistan sponsored terrorism, it is a matter of consolation that recent Uri Terror Attack on Sunday last got international condemnation by most of the countries including US-UK, France, Russia, Germany- some coming out directly while other using cautious language. But by and large the world community, except China a Friend of Pakistan, have denounced the terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil in the severest terms.
What India can take as a big blow for Pakistan, a bipartisan group of two powerful American lawmakers has introduced an act in the US House of Representatives to designate Pakistan a State Sponsor of terrorism. The ‘Pakistan State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act' has been introduced by a Republican and a Democratic Congressmen top ranking members of influential Congressional Committee on terrorism. However, how far their effort will succeed is to be seen as the procedure is very cumbersome in US Congress to get passed such a USA law.
Among the other countries whose statements against the Uri terror attack Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mr. Swarup tweeted on Tuesday included Japan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Canada, Mongolia and South Korea.
But we do need a change in our own mindset with the country pertaining to Pakistan. Those who have kept a close watch on India's recent bilateral relations with Pakistan are unlikely to be greatly surprised at what happened on Sunday morning. There are three facts of life about Pakistan that one cannot afford to overlook. The first is that Pakistan has been exporting terrorism to other countries (mainly to India) for quite some time now. It is astonishing as to how the United States of America can keep on ignoring this facet of Pakistan's overseas activities. Secondly, having neglected the business of development for decades, Pakistan cannot countenance the kind of progress that its neighbour has made in less than seven decades. Thirdly, having been chosen by the United States as partner in the ‘global war against terrorism' Pakistan has certain delusions about the extent to which Pakistan's attacks on India will be tolerated by the world community. The people of India has been disappointed on the usual world community responses received on India's sufferings as after initial responses the condemnation later goes devoid of substance.
As expected, Pakistan has described as “unfounded and premature” India's charge that it was behind the Uri attack that killed 18 soldiers with its army demanding “actionable intelligence” to support New Delhi's accusation. Pakistan will be unable to sustain this stance for long, considering the weapons and food and medicine packets with Pakistani markings found on the four raiders killed by Indian troops.
In this unfortunate incident too, India has handed over ample proofs of Uri Terror Attack having carried by the terror groups flourishing within Pakistan with its patronage and blessings.
Further, our leaders have never been at a loss for words. At such times of despicable attacks by Pakistan, there has never been a dearth of rhetoric. More often than not there is talk of restraint in respect of a country that identifies restraint with weakness. Have our leaders forgotten that that this is not the first such attack by Pakistan. Apart from bomb attacks on civilians in different parts of the country in the past, have we already forgotten the attack by Pakistani terrorists on the Pathankot air base of January 2, 2016 in which seven security personnel were killed? Sunday's raid on Uri was thus the third attack on our armed forces personnel carried out successfully. Are words threatening reprisals enough in the face of such dastardly attacks? The nation waits to see what its rewards are for exercising restraint every time in the face of such provocative action. The nation wants to see how the Prime Minister intends to punish those behind “this despicable attack”. We all know that we are being pushed to do a collective tight-rope walk for which we are not prepared. After this third attack on our armed forces personnel (have we forgotten the killing of five Indian soldiers in 2013 by the Pakistan Army Border Action Team and the beheading of two soldiers?) the time for restraint is over. Pakistan must be answered in the language that an exporter of terrorism understands.
Moreover, it is reasonable to expect more such despicable attacks from Pakistan. What needs to be ensured is a greater level of alertness and preparedness. There must be regular arrangements of well-armed night guard platoons that will keep watch when the rest of the soldiers are sleeping. They must be ready to spring into action before a single life is lost. Henceforth, all militant raiders must be stung with the reception they never expected.
