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| Balakot operation and beyond | | | M.M. Khajooria
On 14 February more than forty
CRPF men were martyred in the Pulwama suicide attack by a local Kashmiri Youth 'brain washed' and trained by ' Jaish fanatics'. This grave provocation proved to be the proverbial last straw. A deeply hurt and mourning nation demanded stern and immediate retribution from Pakistan, the rogue state which shields and promotes the notorious terrorist outfit "Jaish-!- Mohd" and shamelessly blocks UN move to designate its chief Masood Azhar as a 'Terrorist. . The chorus for action grew louder and louder by the day. Rahul Gandhi, the opposition leader pledged his partys' unconditional support to any action the government of India may take against Pakistan. The entire country was thus united in its solve to teach Pakistan a lesson to deter her from further mischief.
The government of India responded on the early morning of 26 February 2019, at around 3:30 am, when the Indian air force conducted pin point airstrikes at Balakot, across the LOC and deep within Pakistan territory .The target was well chosen .It was a Jihad factory run by Jaish where Jihad was preached and suicide Bombers motivated and trained. In fact ,the Foreign Secretary revealed that "Credible intel [intelligence] was received that JeM was planning more suicide attacks in India". In the face of imminent danger, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary," he told the media . .The strike was preemptive and non-military in nature with negative chance of civilian causalities, That India would not watch helplessly while Pakistan manufactures Jiadees/ suicide bombers to attack the country and inflict casualties upon our security personnel and citizens. A loud and clear message that India would instead . destroy terror- infrastructure in exercise of its "Right of self defence" .no matter where the Jihadees were being trained and equipped. Incidentally this was the first time that Indian Air Force struck across the Line of Control into Pakistan territory 'since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
According to Indian media twelve Mirage 20 jets were involved in the operation. The Indian Express further reported that the Mirage 20s were carrying SPICE 2000 & Popeye precision-guided munitions and that they were supported by four Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Netra and Phalcon airborne early warning and control aircraft, an IAI HeronUAV and two Ilyushin Il-78 aerial refueling aircraft. After releasing the bombs, the jets returned back into Indian airspace unharmed .Pakistan scrambled its F-16 jets but failed to engage the Indian planes
The IAF said that the Mig 21 Bison did actually shoot down an F-16 fighter plane of the Pakistan Air Force. In a joint press conference by the three services, Indian Air Force presented part of the AMRAAM missile which is used only on the F-16s. No other Fighter in PAF has AMRAAM compatibility. Further the electronic signature of F-16 were also recorded by Indian radar
Pakistan responded on 27 February . Three Pakistan Air Force jets crossed the Line of Control (LoC) from Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir and dropped bombs over Nadian, Laam Jhangar, Kerri in Rajouri District and Hamirpur area of Bhimber Galli in Poonch, before being pushed back by six Indian air force jets.There were no damage or casualties. Pakistan's attempt to target military installations thus were successfully foiled ". A Pakistani aircraft of the sortie was shot down by the Indian Air Force. .Wing Commander. was flying the MIG .His plane also received a hit during the Dog Fight. However he successfully parachuted but unfortunately dropped in enemy territory. He earned the distinction of downing the US ace F-16 in the Dog fight while piloting the twenty year old MiG thereby astounding the international aviation community. The Pak denial the F-16 was countered by producing the wreckage of AIM120 which can be fired only by F-16. The piece was, in fact recovered by the local Police within an hour or so and the matter reported to DGP Dilbagh Singh who identified it and initiated further action ,
A dazed wing commander was soon sighted by some civilians who chased and stoned him. Soon they were able to catch up with him and thrashed him to their hearts content in presence of Pak army/ police defying all norms of Geneva Convention. The officials took him into custody. at leisure.
Ever since the tension mounted between the two nuclear neighbors after the Pulwama Jaish suicidal attack, Pakistan Prime minister Imran Khan has been pursuing a well crafted foreign policy marking a shift from policy of belligerence .The main thrust of this policy is to wash off the stigma of being the 'patron state of terrorism ' and maligning India as war monger. The release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthamanas a "peace gesture" , offers of dialogue to avoid war between the two nuclear neighbors and 5 March, arrests of 44 members of various groups, including relatives of JeM leader Masood Azhar, his son Hamad Azhar and his brother Abdul Rauf.]the Jaish-e-Muhammad, seizing and sealing of properties of Jaish and Hafiz Syeds' Jammat ul Dawa etc have to be viewed in this context.
Some of those arrested were named by India in a dossier it gave to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.Pakistan said those arrested will be held for at least 14 days, and if India provided further evidence they would be prosecuted.
We must not fall into this trap. . Unfortunately, the Indian political class and media in their fit of hyper nationalism are facilitating Imrans' thrust. It is in national interest that all concerned learn to moderate their outbursts , talk less .,act more and forthwith stop acrimonious divisive public exchanges couched in indecent language. All political parties especially the party in power must ensure the only specifically designated spokes persons comment on matters relating to national security and foreign affairs thereby introducing the much needed element of responsibility in informed public discourse.
Realistically speaking Balakot Air strike has not dented the military capability of Pakistan. Nor has it delivered a death blow to the 'Jaish'. The elimination of couple of hundreds of Mujahids already primed for suicidal attacks is a fleeting setback. There are lot more waiting in queue for seeking 'SAHADAT. So what exactly is the take away from the Balakot Air strike?' It marks a very significant milestone in our fight against terrorism. In fact, the Balakot air strike has entirely changed the narrative of the almost thirty year old Proxy war launched by Pakistan and then hooked into. Global terror. Their strategy of merrily 'bleeding India with thousand cuts' has been challenged .We will no more passively wait at the LOC/IB for terrorists, trained and equipped by Pakistan with latest weapons and communication system not so secretly holed up in Launching Pads to attempt to cross over under cover of Pakistan army covering fire but hit them wherever and when ever it suits our strategic interests Neither the demarcation of LoC nor the location beyond into the Pakistan territory will deter us from attacking and destroying the terror factories. More importantly the world community has endorsed our Right to do in exercise of the 'Right of Self defense'.
We want peace with all our neighbors including Pakistan. We have no territorial designs on that country. There are couple of simple but significant requirements for dialogue and peace.. Alter the Military doctrine that declared India as enemy number one, Stop swearing revenge against India by Cadets in Karaul Military academy at the time of Passing Out Parade. Genuinely discard the policy of using Terrorism as a component of State policy to grab Jammu & Kashmir thereby leading to shutting down of all Terrorists training facilities and launching Pads.. For if the ' GOLI' stops serious, meaningful and structured 'BOLI' can commence. |
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