Modi breaks the backbone of terror deep inside Pakistan
by Naagesh Padmanaban on 01 Mar 2019 15 Comments

The Indian Air Force (IAF) strike in early hours of 26 February 2019 on terror training bases deep inside Pakistan that killed over 350 terrorists has made us all speechless. It has certainly made the Pakistanis speechless because not even in their wildest dreams did they imagine India would attempt this. The continuous stream of rattled mumblings - from the official spokesperson and their defense minister - all point to a stunned and confused Pakistani establishment.

 

For almost three decades now, they have been bluffing the world about their nuclear capabilities and by inference, held out a nuclear blackmail to India. The Indian Air Force just shattered this self-created glass firewall that Pakistan was touting as an unbreachable threshold. That blackmail is in tatters in the cratered remains of Balakot in Mansera district in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

 

For most Indians, the IAF precision strike executed with flawless perfection was too real to even comprehend initially. Like the Pakistanis, they too were expecting the Indian armed forces to conduct a surgical strike where a small special forces team would embark on a stealth mission to neutralize the terrorists. But the air strike was a different ball game altogether. No one expected the scale and dramatic results that looked too easy and perfect. But that betrayed the power and sophistication of a deadly air force that is arguably one of the best in the world.

 

Even as media reports flooded in with all the exhilarating details, some larger issues embedded in the air strike are worth noting. It is not that India’s armed forces suddenly turned pro. The fact is that they were always a potent force to reckon with, even before India got its Independence from Britain in 1947. No one doubted its capabilities. The fact that they have armed themselves to the teeth over the last decade only adds sheen to the valour and dignity of the forces.

 

As many have already pointed out, the deployment of the Air Force for the first time to neutralize terror camps deep inside Pakistan is a welcome change in the mindset of the mandarins in Delhi. Simultaneously, and more importantly, India seems to have called the nuclear bluff of Pakistan. In many ways, India has de facto expounded a new doctrine in taking on cross-border terrorism set against a nuclear blackmail. This will be hotly discussed and reviewed by military institutes the world over for some time to come.

 

More importantly, it has opened a window into the mind of Narendra Modi, a Prime Minister the like of which India has not seen in seven decades. If anyone would have followed his speeches – even before he was elected to the high office in India – it would have been evident that he was determined to corral and defang Pakistan from day one. Hence, it would indeed be juvenile to see the air strike as just a fallout and response to the killing of 40 soldiers in Pulwama on 14th of February 2019.

 

India’s armed forces have long warned the political leadership that it should take a punitive and proactive military strategy against Pakistan. But time and again this advice has fallen on the deaf ears of the political leadership, resulting in the deaths of thousands in the last two decades. For decades the political leadership did not dare to confront the neighbour’s use of terror as state policy head on. This pusillanimity in effect reduced the armed forces to being like beat cops chasing terrorists. In retrospect, India had voluntarily succumbed to the blackmail even without putting up a fight.

 

But Modi changed all this. In a very deliberate and studied evolution, he appears to have worked very hard, quietly and off the radar to evolve a strategy that will neuter Pakistan, and in effect also clear the biggest stumbling block in India’s road to rapid development.

 

Given Modi’s thoroughness and penchant for perfect execution, he must have indeed been at work for a very long time. He needed to have the right logistics in place so the right preparation can meet the right opportunity. From arming the forces with best he can get to the top in class satellite systems to keep a hawk’s eye on Pakistan, the task seemed to be done. He was only waiting for the right opportunity. The surgical strike carried out in September 2016 was but his first laboratory tests of the doctrine he had put together in his mind.

 

But more needed to be done to prime the forces and logistics. The Armed Forces must have been busy planning and exercising on operational plans since then. The killing of the 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans provided the right opportunity for India. Diplomatically, the killing provided the right narrative to take on Pakistan.

 

The mission, for its sheer daredevilry and perfection in penetrating the defenses of a nuclear power and obliterating over 350 terrorists gives one the goose bumps. The ease with which the IAF befuddled the enemy’s radars and air defense systems to deploy a formation of at least 12 fighter jets to carry out its deadly mission and safely return to base in just 21 minutes will be discussed endlessly by military strategists all over the world.

 

But then, one must realize that an extremely capable force worked in perfect unison with Modi, the strategist par excellence, who was willing to take risks to wipe out terror from South Asia. It certainly appears that India has broken its backbone, although the vestiges may linger on for more time to come.

 

This operation is a cause for celebration for every Indian. It is indeed the beginning of the unravelling of a rogue nation that has with gay abandon used terror as a state policy. For Pakistan, the writing on the wall is clear. It will face more audacious strikes from India in the coming days. It is difficult to see how Pakistan as country, in its current geographical bounds, will last beyond a few years at best.

 

Reference

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/iaf-air-strike-pakistan-india-balakot-jaish-e-mohammad-mirage-5602259/

User Comments Post a Comment
The sad reason why so many westerners hold India in contempt is demonstrated by the 1950s style rantings of Naagesh Padmanaban.

Optimists like me have observed Indian behavior on the international stage for some decades and have recently noted the emergence of 21st century-compatible articulation on many subjects, including global peace initiatives. Some are level with the world's best.

True, India's political leaders are low on intellect and integrity, but so too are those of every nation, including the clowns that run Australia. But some of the worlds finest thinkers are Indian and this is so encouraging for geopolitical observers such as myself.

Then, all of a sudden, Modi does something globally stupid, such as this air strike, and India's nutters come to the surface reminding us we all still have a long way to go. So, please, Nagesh, put your flag and war toys away and dwell on the thought that an incident like this can escalate into WWIII.

Meanwhile, Modi has joined Trump and Netanyahu on the throne of crazy megalomaniacs trying to set the world on fire.
Tony Ryan
March 01, 2019
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So true "The fact is that they were always a potent force to reckon with, even before India got its Independence from Britain in 1947".

In fact it was Indian forces which won the World wars, a contribution which has not been acknowledged.

Same story, Indian invention/contribution, Western patent or credit.
Karthi
March 01, 2019
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We must acknowledge the quality of IAF pilots. They are considered near equal to the Israelis, said to have the best air force in the world. And also the support staff who have kept the planes and weapons in top order.
Pakistan's F16 planes are complex and hard to maintain.

I see this only as the beginning, hopefully the beginning of the end. But India has also to counter enemies within.
Navaratna Rajaram
March 01, 2019
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Even more importantly, for the first time ever GoI officially and openly used "jihadis" instead of "terrorists". In other words, the koranic root of jihad which negationists like Mr Tony Ryan dare not acknowledge.

The Koran is the outpouring of a medieval mindset. That has to be dealt with. No doubt Mr Ryan can persuade his own countrypeople to teach us 1950s Indians the way to do so!

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-struck-biggest-training-camp-of-jem-foreign-sec-confirms/article26372319.ece

This
Bharati
March 01, 2019
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ek @tony ryan superior, baki sab inferior. And we thought racism went out of style after the end of apartheid regime! But some things never change. Just one of those opinionated buffoons from those who have 'submit' from among the peaceniks.
Jay Bharati
March 01, 2019
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Like the Supremo said, 'yeh to bas ek pilot tha, main project jaldi hi anewala hai, precision execution ke saath.'
Jay Bharati
March 01, 2019
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andar ki baat kuchh aur ho sakti hai, like Jaitley hinted. 1999 ka badla to ho chuka. Don't believe in the Paki-sponsored rumours of Masood Azhar being too ill just now.
Jay Bharati
March 01, 2019
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India launched a pre-emptive counter-terror attack on PoK without causing any civilian casualties. None of the mealy mouthed peaceniks and selective pacifists came out against the victims of terror in India. The argument among a certain sections of the West is that we should keep shoeing the other cheek and take the licking. Those days are over. We will do everything we can hereafter to defend our civilians and our sovereignty with all that we have got.
shankar
March 01, 2019
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Too Early to Celebrate!

jaykumar
March 01, 2019
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Yes, indeed, the IAF pilots are considered among the best in the world.
Dr. Vijaya Rajiva
March 01, 2019
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I would like to first of all salute the brave air warriors team led by the one and only greatest P.M of our motherland Sri Narendra Damodardas Modi. Secondly my whole thioughts went out to Group captain who flew the MIG Bison to kill a F16 ,a feat which is being talked about all over the world Sonia and gang ruined our motherland and made us beggars,and they are still at it with the help of a few junkies at the top positions in the Govt.The biso killing a F16 can be equated to a an ambassador car chasing an Aston Martin ! This is an awakened Bharat ready to take on the world anywhere,anytime anyplace.The King who is learned in all acts of ruling a nation is in command.
The author has brilliantly detailed out the operation in letter and spirit as a true Indian would have done. Kudos to him for a good write up. Our armed forces are second t none in bravery innovations,skill and ability to tackle any situation anywhere anytime and inany environment I salute them all the way.
doraiswamyganesh
March 01, 2019
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@ Tony Ryan.
You " put your flag and war toys away"
Right at the outset , let me very sternly remind Tony Ryan that Bharat (India) ,is not a guinea pig for military experimentation by Pakistan, China,or any other country, for testing the efficacy of their weapons.
No country in the world follows your stupid advice of keeping " war toys away" .Those who take your idiotic advice in India are now not in power to implement your stupid advice.

You " India's political leaders are low in intellect and integrity"

Tony should be bold enough to name and shame these leaders who are low in intellect and integrity . Making such vague, ambiguous,or sweeping statements , only reveals Tony's low or jaundiced intellect.

You " Modi does something globally stupid,such as this air strike"

Many of the so called developed countries, have appreciated and supported Modiji's economic and defence policies , and resulted in a near global isolation of Pakistan , branding it as a " terror sponsoring country" Tony Ryan should note that Modi is not in a mood to modify his principles to please Pakistan and Muslim minorities of India, who indulge in abusing the armed forces.
Modiji's attack has been well calibrated . Pakistan military establishment and civilians has not been targeted. The target is terrorists who infiltrate into Indian soil and indulge in Terrorism.This retaliation is small and limited in intensity and Pakistan should thank India, that she has not opted for a full scale war, which is long overdue.
Bharati here in rightly commented " the Koran is the out pouring of a medieval mindset" Tony Ryan should acknowledge that this mindset which is many centuries older than the " 1950s rantings" of a deeply patriotic Hindu ,needs to change drastically.,as otherwise, there is no solution to control terrorism. Unless that mindset changes , not just India,but most of the countries of the world, will have no option,but the biggest artillery gun available in the world.
Panikkath Krishnan Unni
March 01, 2019
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A well articulated write, though with an overstated conclusion. The bone of terror outfits, that is the ISI and the jehadi segment in their in the deep state, of Pakistan is more or less intact. The 'Pilot Project', at best has opened up new vistas for future actions. The new security paradigm, glimpses of which were noticeable in the operation under discussion, is a fine blend of diplomacy, economic power punch and, of course, the delivery by the armed might. @ Tony Ryans not withstanding, the punch delivered to Pakistan after her Pulwama adventure shall go down as a text book exercise for Air Warriors for all times to come.
RB Sharma
March 01, 2019
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Do not relent. Keep up the pressure on Pakistan. They may be better on optics and perception games. A nation of liars and back-stabbing excels in such phony tricks that befool our mealy mouthed liberals. Never forget that Neville Chamberlain's grievous error of succumbing to appeasement politics. Europe had to pay the price for that. Academic intellectuals who scream for peace and dialogue know little about the ground reality. Peace with Pakistan will be possible when they give up their politics of terror and jihad. That seems unlikely in the near future given the giant and interlocking terror and hate machinery Pakistan has in place. This machinery has to be completely destroyed before peace can even be contemplated.
shankar
March 02, 2019
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Marcus Tullius Cicero the great Roman statesman:
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear.”

Today the fifth columnists inside India are doubting the verity of our armed forcces who give their lives to protect our Land and her people. I say to them, " As you want proof of Itself from what is itself the proof, I dare you and your loved family to come and be first line of defence where the enemy shells fall, be pointsmen for every sortie of our side. You will then have all the proof you need!"
Chandra Ravikumar
March 03, 2019
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