Once again when India took the initiative of normalizing the relations between both countries Pakistan back-stabbed India by launching an attack on Pathankot air base 43 Km from border on 02 Jan 2016.Pakistan is cradle of terrorism and Pak army, ISI, and terror groups want that relations should be strained between both countries as it suits them.
The fact that terrorists entered the base without any resistance, could reorganise and then attack cook house of DSC Speaks the volume of lack of security in Air Base.
Infiltration, Failure of Punjab Police, Role of its SP
It’s a known fact that large scale smuggling of Drugs and Narcotics takes place from Punjab borders with connivance of all concerned BSF, Punjab police and local politicians. This time however terrorists crossed over with impunity .The statement and version of Gurdaspur SP is highly suspect and should be probed further by NIA. Despite giving a warning to Punjab Police they could not track the private SUV of SP for 12 precious hours and ultimately the car was found close to Air Base. Punjab Police was given an earlier input 5 days before about likely terror strike but for reasons known to it tend to ignore the warning.
Security of Air Base, Command and Control
The security of all Air bases is in hands of Defence Security Corps , a retired Army personel organization with primitive rifles and equipment and is no match to latest weapons being used by terrorists. How these terrorists could breach the outer security ring of the Air Base with RDX, heavy arms and ammunition is another aspect to be investigated. NSG commandos and Garud commandos of Air Force are to be used for specific tasks and targets. It seems that command of operations was personally kept by NSA. The fact that terrorists entered the base without any resistance, could reorganise and then attack cook house of DSC Speaks the volume of lack of security in Air Base. Considering that 5-6 terrorist could hold on for four days against overwhelming odds shows the amount of training and preparedness of terrorists. There was a glaring mistake of not handing over the operations to the Army. There seemed to be too many commanders for this operations.
The lesson learnt is to appoint a Commander for every single anti-terror operations and senior most Army officer should be appointed commander. IPS officers don’t have on ground knowledge of counter-insurgency operations and at the most should be used to assist Army commanders.
The permanent solution of this problem is division of Pakistan into 4 or more independent states. The only way to tackle this problem is to hit at the terror schools and camps now.
Operations
On 2 Jan 16, four terrorists were killed. It is difficult to understand how to eliminate and neutralize remaining 2 terrorists 3 days were needed. Even if they had taken shelter in a building APC could have been used. Someone, most likely some political bigwig came up with the bright idea of catching Fidayeen terrorist alive. The operations were marked with courage, devotion to duty and ultimate sacrifice by 7 bravehearts. The bravery displayed by all in the operations is worth praising.
There is a need to insulate and seal borders of Gujarat, Punjab ,Rajasthan and J&K better to prevent infiltration. India should try and dump the soft peddling policy it is following for so many years. We have to learn lessons from Israel, Russia and recently from France. We have to deal ruthlessly with terror. For every terror attack we should attack terror camps within Pakistan atleast with missiles if not with troops. Pakistans army and ISI has come to know that India is a soft state and will keep its proxy war alive. There is need of taking timely deterrent actions now. India is in NOW OR NEVER stage .Diplomatic efforts and overtures can continue but military actions of severe magnitudes is the need of the hour. We should have given a beffiting reply after 26/11 only but it can be given now.
Pakistan Policy
Sooner we realize that Pak army is not under control of their civil government and has to be taught a lesson better it will be for our policy makers. Pak ISI and army will never let good relations between two countries continue . The permanent solution of this problem is division of Pakistan into 4 or more independent states. The only way to tackle this problem is to hit at the terror schools and camps now.
Conclusion
As things stand now we should take trans border operations to eliminate hubs of terror within Pakistan and continue talks with civil government for better relations. We have been forced to take military action. Pathankot terror attack is an eye opener and shows to the world that despite all peace overtures by India Pak ISI and army will never mend its ways. We salute the brave Indian martyrs and pray the injured recover fast. Till now India has only retaliated by cancelling talks or cricket matches.