India has responded against terror with Surgical Strike 2.0. The strategic restraint has been abandoned. Twelve days after the Pulwama attack on February 14, twelve Indian Air Force Mirage-2000 jets crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in the wee hours of Tuesday and destroyed terror camps of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. This is the first time Indian jets crossed the LoC since 1971.
The precision with which the strikes were executed in a quick 21-minute blitzkrieg left the Pakistan forces groping in the dark. A country’s forces which use the excuse of darkness for not standing up against the strike goes to explain either a state of unpreparedness or a fear of being targets.
India has taken a very cautious and calculated path of calling it a “non-military pre-emptive” strike. It’s not been portrayed as a Pulwama revenge attack either. By clarifying that no military force was used, no civilians targeted and no rival military installations targeted, India has come out unscathed. It gives us enough insulation against the global community’s calls for restraint. The ball is now in Pakistan’s court and any retaliation would only expose their support to terror outfits.
The surgical strike sends a strong message to Pakistan to act against the terror groups operating from its soil, a fact that it has been denying even prior to US war on terror. Maulana Masood Azhar’s statement that strikes haven’t managed to destroy JeM base only highlights the fact that Pakistan continues to be a home for terrorists. Moreover, their denial and the hypocrisy lies bare even further. If there is reason to believe that there was no damage, why would the leadership go into a huddle, call for an emergency session and even threaten retaliation?
On the flip side, the strong resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has come in focus. The unity in the entire polity indicates that Pakistan’s attempts to divide opinion on the premise of political mileage have failed too. The nation stands united. This has been a very defining moment of India’s sovereignty and should not be muddied in political colours.
Going forward, there will be questions raised and answers sought. India cannot pause to celebrate these surgical strikes. The first such strike in September 2016 didn’t deter the terrorists, and neither will this one. India continues to lose hundreds of innocent lives. Our war against terrorism has to be ruthless and consistent and should have the Barack Obama resolve who moved into Pakistan with the sole intention of “degrading and ultimately destroying” the enemy from their safe havens.
India should not wait for another Pulwama to happen. Only a consistent onslaught can keep terrorism at bay, diplomatic isolation and other measures haven’t helped the cause. While India sees red, we need to remind ourselves that this is a war against terror groups and not against Pakistan.
