Puran Chand Sharma
It has been a proud and a very significant moment when the brave Indian Army launched the well thought out and meticulously planned operation ‘Sindoor’ to forcefully and successfully avenge the most heinous and barbaric selective killing of innocent tourists from different parts of the country at Pahalgam, severely assaulting humanity and integrity of India which has never violated and dishonoured the sovereignty of any other country out of arrogance or for the purpose of satisfying the expansionist appetite.
Deadly Pahalgam massacre on April, 22, triggered powerful waves of anger, revengefulness plus befitting response to assuage the emotional outburst of the countrymen at the earliest. The victims were Indian tourists who represented different parts of the National landscape. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in the country knows that all these people who along with their families had chosen to visit Kashmir (the heaven on earth) in hordes, to feel and enjoy the phenomenal beauty of Kashmir, were cowardly assaulted and killed. This tyrannical Act deeply bruised the psyche of the Nation and prompted the Indian Prime Minister to unleash Military blitzkrieg against Pak.
Accordingly, the Indian Govt and the Army took their time; meticulously planned ‘Operation Sindoor’ attacked the major hideouts of terrorists at different locations, tentatively 9. Civilians and the Military installations were not targeted flashing the clear message that the war is against the trrorists and not against common masses and the Army of Pakistan. In a misdirected response thereof, India’s wily neighbour sharply retaliated, endeavoured to blast her important civilian and military installations, but in vain. All their drones and other Bombs were destroyed mid-air and no substantial damage happened on Indian side.
Thereafter, on their severe provocation, India initiated the retaliatory action, destroyed their most significant Air Bases and made them unworthy of operating the fighter jet flights. Subsequently on the initiative of Pak DGMO calling Indian DGMO on Hot Line and proactively begging for de-escalation of emerging warlike situation, accordingly calming down the things in favour of enforcing the ceasefire. Really it was a good move for which both the countries agreed. However, India made it clear, “We are pausing ‘Operation Sindoor’ and not stopping it permanently”.
India’s Three Strategic Points
- Any terrorist attack being launched on Bharat will be treated as an Act of War and shall be handled accordingly.
- Now on, Nuclear Blackmail from Pakistan will not be tolerated.
- POJK is Indian Territory. Pakistan must vacate it within the shortest possible time failing which India shall be within rights to retrieve the same by dint of Military action.
Pak Sponsored Terrorism, India’s Proactive Approach and Liberation Of POJK
The Pak sponsored terrorism has been an ongoing process for the time being. It is required to be thrown out of gear once for all. Operation Sindoor was initiated and put into action to give a befitting reply to our wily neighbour and bring them to justice for perpetrating the Pahalgam Massacre. It has been successfully executed and kept on hold to wait and watch as to which way our intractable next door neighbour proceeds. If need be it shall be operational at the spur of the moment.
Terrorism from Pakistan
India has witnessed a prolonged history of sponsoring cross-border terrorism through non-state actors like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, etc. Getting rid of this chronic malaise is extremely challenging and complicated on account of:
- Deep rooted support from Pakistan’s military and ISI.
- Disproportionate International pressure on Pakistan.
- Evolving tactics like Drone based- Arms delivery and hybrid warfare etc..
What India Can Do Independently
India has already taken several measures to wipe out terrorism such as:
Hard Power:
- Conducted surgical strikes in 2016 , Balakot air strike in 2019.
- Border fencing has been done.
- Better surveillance techniques are being used for better results.
- India needs to be more aggressive as knee jerk reactions are not enough.
Terrorism shall have to be comprehensively stamped out:
India can also isolate Pakistan diplomatically, leverage ‘Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’ and build global coalitions against terrorism. It is a remarkable initiative of the Govt to send delegations of Members of Parliament to different countries to apprise them about the implications of hydra headed terrorism and the corrective measures taken by the Government. This is also a very significant step to garner the good will of International community.
Internal Security:
Strengthening local intelligence, counter radicalization programmes and political outreach in jammu and Kashmir.
Cyber and Information Warfare
Countering propaganda from across the border through digital defence and narrative control need be done in a very professional manner.
Trump Did Not Broker a Ceasefire
Trump made several public offers to mediate on Kashmir, which India rejected out rightly, citing it as a bilateral issue. The 2021 ceasefire reaffirmation has been the result of backchannel talks, reportedly facilitated by Gulf states like the UAE but not the USA directly. However, USA’s strategic interest in South, especially vis-a vis China does influence the peace push indirectly.
If Not Govt V/s Opposition, Why the Conflict?
During the times of national urgency, unity is the ideal and the buzzword. But mutual distrust, seeking political mileage over military actions e.g. Pulwama- Balakot narrative and blame games on Intelligence matters do cause worst kind of friction which must be dispensed with.
Lack of Transparency
The Govt often restricts some information for national interest. The opposition accuses it of hiding failures or politicizing the Army. Better understanding and counselling would prove to be a game changer.
Election Dynamics
With ongoing or upcoming elections, every incident becomes a tool for narrative building rather than a joint resolution.
Final Take
While terrorism from Pakistan can be significantly curtailed, wiping it out completely requires sustained coordination and internal resilience. India must blend military readiness, diplomatic muscle and internal coherence. Achieving this requires a ceasefire, not just at the LOC, but also within the Indian political ecosystem. There should be no politics on frivolous issues. Negative tendencies aimed at leg pulling by the adversaries shall have to kept at the the lowest ebb, as India is fully charged at the moment and energised for accomplishing long cherished goals like uprooting Pak sponsored terrorism and retrieval of POJK in one stroke, which is India’s final take now. Operation Sindoor will prove to be the turning point in India’s approach to addressing terrorism, reflecting a more assertive and strategic military posture.
– Jai Hind
