Sir,
Cross-border terrorism has been lingering threat to India’s development. No doubt our experience all these years establishes beyond doubt that force cannot bring an end to terrorism. Nor mere dialogue which often falls on deaf ears will effectively curb terrorism. Restrained use of force coupled with continuous dialogue alone can finally succeed even though the costs towards that end will be tremendous and loss of many innocent lives along with those of uniformed security personnel.
However, state sponsored terrorism cannot be allowed. With this premise one finds that the bombing of the Jaish-e-Mohammad’s allegedly biggest terror training camp in Pakistan’s Balakote by the India Air Force early on February 26, 2019 seems to have come as a last resort. The operation 12 days after the Pulwama attack was carried out by 12 Mirage-2000 fighter jets, which is said to have unleashed five onetonne bombs on the camp, based 70-km inside the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.
It should be kept in mind that the credit for the execution of the successful cross- LoC operation goes mostly to the IAF and military brass. On all occasions of need for safeguarding India’s interests, the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have done a commendable job. The defence forces have proved their might and worth during 1971, during Kargil war in 1999.
Let the Indian people draw their own conclusions. No attempt should be made to politically own the airstrikes or use them to attack other political parties as will be counterproductive. The need of the hour is national unity and nothing should be allowed to sow division, even if Lok Sabha elections are coming up.
Shameem Faizee
on e-mail
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