India had decided to take diplomatic, economic and military revenge against the terrorist attack made on its soldiers in sleep by Pakistan in Uri. Under the diplomatic revenge, India tried to isolate Pakistan and also succeeded in it. No nation supported Pakistan in terms of terrorist attack and it has to lose the hosting of SAARC summit also. Due to economic siege, it has also on the verge of losing the MFN status given by India while India is about to reduce the water share so far under the Indus Water Agreement. Interestingly Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru had said in terms of the treaty in 1960 that we have bought peace for price, Prime Minister Modi has surprised Pakistan by announcing to take full share of our water without cancelling the same. In military action too, India has taken its revenge today. As per Director General of Military Operations Lt. Gen. Ranveer Singh on behalf of Indian Army and Information & Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu on behalf of Government of India, Indian Army commandos destroyed seven terrorist camps beyond two kms of the line of control through helicopters and killed 38 terrorists and Pak soldiers deputed in the security of the terrorists. Military commandos completed their task and returned safe without a scratch on any soldier. After Uri attack, the army thwarted two major attempts of infiltration in Kashmir and claimed to having gunned down a terrorist in Bandipura. 82 people were killed in the violence spread after Hijbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani was killed on 8th July. The attack on Uri Base camp of Army in Jammu & Kashmir is the biggest attack in 26 years in which 18 soldiers were martyred. As per the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) keeping watch over the terrorist incidents in South Asia, 46 soldiers were martyred in terrorist attacks in Jammu & Kashmir upto 11th September in 2016. If added the number involved in Uri attack on Sunday, the number of martyr soldiers goes to 64 upto 18th September. 69 soldiers were martyred in this state in 2010 i.e. maximum soldiers martyred this year after 2010. 2015-16 report of Ministry of Home Affairs states that 4961 soldiers have been martyred upto 2015 in the cross border terrorism continuing since the period of two decades (from 1990). During this period 13921 citizens lost their lives. Recently the Central Government had admitted in the Parliament that infiltration of cross border terrorists has increased this year. That is why the attacks on security forces at many places in J&K have increased. As per a recent report, 200 cross border terrorists are trying to infiltrate. 90 attempts were made of infiltration in J&K upto 30th June 2016 while there were just 29 attempts upto 30th June 2015. Mr. Hansraj Ahir disclosed this in Rajya Sabha in response to a recent question. On one hand attacks are rising and on the other hand, Government of India is still discussing about the counter action. At first discussions were held over the counter military action but soon the Government rolled back its step. We understand that Modi Government rolled back from the counter military action from two reasons. Firstly, nervous Pakistan may undertake atomic attack which could have been proved destructive for all. Secondly, we feel that our army may lack the confidence to attack Pakistan. Economic Times talked with many experts associated with armed forces and Defence Research and various serving and retired army personnel in this regard. Most of them said that army lacks the basic war items. For example, basic weapons like assault rifles, carbine and artillery guns are falling short. Its purchase is much delayed. Pak Army has better weapons. Besides it, the armed forces also lack the morale. These circumstances made it clear to Modi Government that it won’t be wise to invite Pakistan for a direct war. It was suggested that if India ends the Indus water treaty, it will create outcry in Pakistan. India may put the desired pressure over it. After the report of Indian review of Indus Water treaty, Advisor to the Pak PM Sartaj Aziz said on Tuesday that if India cancels the Indus Water treaty, we will go the International Court. Pakistan will consider the cancellation of agreement as the start of war. Sartaj told the National Assembly of Pakistan that India cannot withdraw from the agreement under the international law. It was not cancelled even during the Kargil and Siachin war. However, Government of India has given the signals to review the Indus Water treaty. Two points indicate that firstly, the Prime Minister says that the blood and water cannot flow together; Secondly, Prime Minister’s decision to form an inter-ministerial workforce to review the treaty. The workforce will investigate whether the agreement in effective now or not? Now this option is also being discussed whether or not India should cancel the MFN status given to Pakistan given for trade purpose? India had in 1996 accorded Pakistan the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status at its own. Getting the status Pakistan is assured that India will not harm it in trade. Due to this status, Pak gets much import quota and less trade tariff than India. It may be noted that India has given this one way status. Despite many dialogues Pakistan did not accord such status to India. We don’t want war with Pakistan. We are fighting with terrorism and that too in our territory. Our soldiers are dying daily and the entire nation including the soldiers wants to teach Pakistan a lesson. Pakistan should understand that either it should behave or be ready to face the consequences because India is a democratic nation. Governments here act as per the public feelings. If Pakistan doesn’t behave well, action is must. It should understand that it is just the beginning of how it should be treated in diplomatic, economic and military aspects.
- Anil Narendra