Some experts have been talking of air strikes on terrorist training camps. In this case the Indian intelligence is more likely to have incomplete information on their exact location, number under training, routine at these camps or the best time for an air strike. These camps have hardly any infrastructure and what air strikes may eventually achieve is, knocking out some rudimentary obstacle course or result in civilian casualties. In any case, even punitive action in the way of air strikes or limited ground action is stymied by the apparition of a nuclear retaliation. A Catch-22 situation of our own making!
India has mainly relied on feeble diplomatic moves and half-hearted military posturing to make Pakistan desist from terrorism. These efforts have had little or no perceptible effect on a recalcitrant and hostile Pakistan.
Kargil presented a great opportunity to put an end the repeated needling by Pakistan once for all, but unfortunately the weak politico-military leadership proved quite incapable of grasping it. In fact, the leadership showed extreme pusillanimity. It was left to a brigadier from the Pakistan army to spell out in the Dawn newspaper, an appropriate Indian response and the great opportunity India missed – to, once for all, settle the Siachen problem and gain control over the strategic Northern Areas.
This would have forestalled Chinese troops moving into this area and casting an altogether new dimension to the Kashmir problem. Failure to deal appropriately with Pakistan at Kargil led to more terrorist attacks, in J&K and elsewhere. It also resulted in deploying additional troops by India in an area of no strategic importance and the consequent heavy financial burden. It reconfirmed that Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence works well and it can continue terrorist attacks on India.
India has mainly relied on feeble diplomatic moves and half-hearted military posturing to make Pakistan desist from terrorism. These efforts have had little or no perceptible effect on a recalcitrant and hostile Pakistan. Though, that country itself has become the target of the same set of terrorists, Pakistan finds them a useful tool to keep targeting India. Therefore, if India is serious in putting an end to terrorist attacks by Pakistan inspired elements, it must call off this nuclear bluff by Pakistan. It must be made clear to Pakistan, in unequivocal language, that in the event of a nuclear strike against India, we will retaliate immediately and massively, which would reduce Pakistan into a wasteland. Further any terrorist attack on India, sponsored or emanating from Pakistan, will surely invite Indian military reaction. Sooner than later, India will have to bite the bullet and bring to end this continuing perfidy by Pakistan.
India has to work out a strategy, as retaliation to a terrorist strike, which will inflict minimum damage to Pakistan and yet good enough to deter it from further mischief. India just cannot remain a mute spectator while this policy of thousand cuts continues un-abated. If the country lacks the gumption to bite the bullet, then we need to send a clear message to Pakistan that in the event of another terrorist strike, we will abrogate the ‘Indus Water Treaty.’ International treaties carry no sanctity when, one of the signatory country, becomes a terrorist state.
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Indian soft state policy destroying us and encouraging pakistan to keep proxy war on against india. India never attacked Pakistan but always Pakistan initiated war and took success in initial days of wars and when india was in full justification and right to retaliate then international pressure mount to india to cease fire. Pakistan attacked in 1947, 1965, 1971 and even in 1999 Kargil war. Coward politicians like Attal Vajpayee missed the attacking Pakistan during kargil war where India reserved the right to attack back and break Pakistan. Even Pakistani trained and backed terrorists attacked parliament and operation parakram was launched but later BJP govt bowed down before international pressure and war was cancelled. Bomabai attacks, Pathankot, Uri and beheading of soldiers knock our doors to use Baluchistan card.