India has announced a strategic shift in its national security policy by striking at the “terror launchpads” across the Line of Control. The military operation tells the world that India is changing its policy after being a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades. India is exploring all options to strike at the root of terrorist organizations.
The surprise commando attack across the LoC was not the first cross-border strike by India. Indian army has crossed the Myanmar border five times in the last three years to erase camps held by extremists including the United Liberation Front of Assam. These attacks, however, had the tacit approval of the Myanmar government, which turned a blind eye towards the incursions.
The strike in the Poonch forest in Pakistan, however, was different. Indian soldiers were faced with a band of terrorists who were trained to be suicide attackers and their backers in the Pakistan army.
The operation was the result of meticulous planning. As soon as Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the operation, the military commanders swung into action. About 100 commandos sneaked across the LoC and targeted the terror camps with surgical precision. A large apparatus of strategists, intelligence officers, communication experts and a fleet of helicopters were behind the operation.
The Indian army has brought about a strategic shift by discarding its image as a defensive force to strike at enemies even inside their strongholds.
The terrorists have reportedly withdrawn from areas adjacent to the LoC to the populous hinterlands. They expect India to send drones to detect any terror activity, like the United States did against Taliban in southwest Pakistan. India has instilled fear in the enemy camps.
The operations had another significant achievement: it boosted the confidence of the military and paramilitary forces.
Modi himself got a boost from the operation. All political parties have backed the operation. Even the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party supported the strikes. The government took the opposition into confidence soon after it revealed the strikes.
This shows a shift in the NDA’s style of functioning. The BJP took the same route of cooperation to get the Goods and Services Bil passed in the Rajya Sabha in August.
India has to take extra care in its security affairs. The government also has a duty to intervene politically to put an end to the months-long unrest in the Kashmir Valley.
Cross-LoC strike signals policy, strategic shifts
Monday 03 October 2016 11:26 AM IST
