Close on the heels of January 2 Pathankot Air base attacks by Pakistani militants, a major attack on a unit headquarter of Infantry Brigade has come in Uri, 132 kilometers from Srinagar on Srinagar – Muzaffarabad Road. 18 Indian soldiers have lost their lives in the fidayeen attack and as many are wounded, some critically. Two jawans of Jammu region, one from Samba and the other from Bishnah, are among the martyred soldiers. There is widespread gloom and anger in the entire country and also the Jammu region on innocent killing of our soldiers. Thousands of people gathered at the cremation of the soldiers in their respective villages shows that our country is not going to tolerate enemy attacks anymore.
National leaders have condemned the cowardly attack on Uri army camp. World leaders including P-5 of the Security Council, too, have deplored the attack of terrorists.
There is good evidence to show that the four fidayeen who attacked the army camp were Pakistani nationals. They carried weapons, ammunition, medicines and other things all made in Pakistan. It is now established that they were sponsored by Jaish-e Muhammad, one of the known and designated terrorist organizations in Pakistan. In all probability, they had made reconnaissance of the area clandestinely and knew precisely where to strike in the wee hours when the troops were sleeping in the tents temporarily raised for the shifting soldiers. Yes it is a security lapse on the part of army that has made it pay heavily. Army commanders cannot go with even the smallest shortcoming.
Five meetings of top political, administrative, intelligence and military brass have been held so far to deliberate on the event of Uri attack, one of these was chaired by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has briefed the President on the attack. The Defence Minister, after his visit to Kashmir and assessment of the ground situation as conveyed by the commanders, has reported back to the Prime Minister. In a high level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the Army Chief has been asked to prepare a comprehensive report on the kinds of response army could give to Pakistan and what the hostile neighbour could do in that event.
We all know that Pakistan is desperately trying to provoke India into a large scale retaliatory action so that it would go around the world crying hoarse that India has attacked her. She is desperate to pretend and display victimhood to the world. It is so because the world knows that Pakistan is the bastion of terrorism. In case of India deciding to launch any retaliatory action out of anger or emotion, Pakistan will welcome it and try to sell it to the world community. We must understand that many world powers are not really interested in putting up combined challenge to international terrorism despite the fact that they have suffered seriously at the hands of terrorists. India cannot expect that world powers will come to her support and sympathy once India adopts aggressive posture. It is so because of national interests that shape the policy of countries and not events.
India has to respond to the savagery of Pakistan but the response has to be calibrated and not just retaliatory. We need to explore and exploit all means except the military one in the first instance to see that Pakistan is isolated in the world community and brought under severe pressure to behave as a responsible nation. India must launch a forceful and vigorous campaign worldwide to that effect. As such the statement of the Director General of Military Operations is a very considered, wise and very specific statement that shows the maturity of the Indian statesmanship. Indian army reserves the right to give a befitting response but at its choosing. We also understand that in making that statement, the army has made the final word. It means that the army will make a plan of what action it will take, when and where.
India is a very responsible country with enormous stakes in world peace. She has the highest growing economy and she has huge rather incredible developmental plans and projects up her sleeve. She is committed to world peace and is making all out efforts to have cordial and friendly relations with her neighbours. In pursuit of peace in the region, Prime Minister Modi broke the protocol and paid an unscheduled visit to Pakistan just to tell Pakistanis that he is committed to good relations with that country. His expectations have been belied as were of his predecessor Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Therefore, knowing what type of dubious neighbour we have to deal with, we must take care that we are not trounced.
The fight against terrorism is a long fight and a lone fight. By now we are convinced that the world powers, especially European powers are not in a mood to form a joint front against terrorism. Therefore, our soldiers need to keep their gunpowder dry. The positive point that favours us at the moment is that the world opinion is supportive of us and is convinced that India is a target of terrorism emanating from her neighborhood.
India has done right by publicly appraising the NAM summit about the perfidies attack of Pakistani fidayeen. This is a step in the right direction. In a couple of days the General Assembly of the United Nations is going to meet in NY. India should make the best use of this occasion and come out boldly and vividly about Pakistan’s military designs she wants to accomplish through the legions of Islamic radicals under different names and titles. India should ask the General Assembly to recommend imposition of sanctions on Pakistan if she fails to dismantle terrorist structure within a specific time. India should also frankly tell the General Assembly that she reserves the right to respond in a befitting manner when and where she thinks feasible. After all, there is a limit to let innocent civilians be killed and destroyed. No self-respecting country will allow it. Our country has to exhaust all options at her disposal to restrain Pakistan. This again needs patience and perseverance. Now that international climate suits us, we should make the best of it by insisting upon world community to converge on isolating Pakistan and imposing economic sanctions on her so that the sources of funding of the fidayeen dry up and the world is saved from the catastrophe which Pakistani fidayeen are busy conspiring for. Our missions abroad have to be galvanized into action and indirect endorsement of India’s adequate response has to be obtained.
Before concluding, we once again salute the martyred soldiers who laid down their precious lives defending the country. They will remain in our hearts as long as the world exists. We also convey our sympathy to the bereaved families and pray God Almighty grants them patience to bear the loss of their dear ones. This nation is proud of her gallant sons and daughters as we pay adieu to the departed heroes. We assure them that their death will be avenged when time comes.
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