Image for representation only. File/AFPPakistan prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Wednesday that his country has developed short range nuclear weapons to counter India's 'cold start doctrine.'
The doctrine, seldom talked about by Indian authorities, is all about a quick punitive action against the enemy state without escalating it to a full-scale war.
The strategy
Cold start is an indigenous military doctrine developed by the Indian armed forces, when it realized in 2001 after the parliament attack, that the time taken to mobilize troops gives the enemy enough time to take counter measures and escalate diplomatic pressure. Moreover, Pakistan being a nuclear country a full scale war will be destructive for both the countries.
The Cold start strategy involves posting of a front line of armed forces along the international border capable of launching a quick attack in case of any major provocation. It also involves a second line of integrated forces, capable of launching limited offensive operations and capturing large tracts of land along the International Border, without going deep enough to escalate into a full fledged war. Area's captured so can be used for bargaining with Pakistan.
Reports suggest that the strategy also has significant air support component.
Surprise is the key element in this and experts believe that such quick punitive actions will act as a deterrent for Pakistan.
Though India traditionally had not accepted the existence of such a strategy, on January 6, 2017, army chief general Bipin Rawat acknowledged the existence of this doctrine.
Read: Latest Nation News | Dawood negotiating with Modi govt to return to India: Raj Thackeray
