It is heartening to note that 16 hours each have been allotted for discussion on Operation Sindoor in both houses of Parliament. The discussion would steer clear of operational details, as correctly stated by the government. Thus, the discussion hopefully should centre around the diplomatic and political issues. As the events of the past few weeks indicate, the debate is going to be bitter. That is alright as long as the national interest is not compromised for narrow political gains.
The dastardly Pakistan sponsored terror attack at Pahalgam on April 22 claimed 26 innocent lives, mostly Hindus. The terrorists identified and killed unarmed male Hindu tourists and indulged in the most heinous crime against humanity, which shook the conscience of the nation. The whole of India rose in collective protest to display their anger and anguish. It was remarkable to see wide protests against the senseless killing in whole of Jammu & Kashmir too. The whole world unanimously condemned Pahalgam terror attack and Pakistan clearly was diplomatically isolated.
The first question would obviously be about Pahalgam terror attack and why we have not yet neutralised Pakistan based terrorists responsible for their cowardly attack on unarmed civilians. In this context, it is important to remember that on October 7, 2023, Hamas and several other Palestinian terror groups launched attack from Gaza strip into Southern Israel. This attack was carried out by more than 6000 armed terrorists that resulted in killing of 1195 Israeli people including 349 of Israel’s security forces. 251 civilians and Israeli soldiers were taken hostage. Israel has been at war with Hamas since then which has resulted in death of about 50,000 Palestinians. About 50 Israeli hostages are still in the captivity of Hamas, even after the best efforts of Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
Israel has one of the best security systems against any terror attack, as it is surrounded by enemies all around. Yet the terror attack happened in Israel. Thus, we as Indians must understand that India has to live with Pak sponsored terrorism, particularly in J&K. Terrorism today has no boundaries and it has morphed into many violent and silent forms. Accurate and timely intelligence prevents terror attacks. But in Army, we are taught that the security forces have to be lucky all the time whereas the terrorist has to get lucky only once. Therefore, the reality is that terrorists would find one odd opportunity to strike even with the best security cover. The terrorists responsible for Pahalgam terror attack sure would be neutralised sooner or later.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government was under tremendous public pressure to avenge Pahalgam terror attack at the earliest. Pakistan on the other hand had started its military preparation to deal with a response from India. Indian leadership displayed its aggressive intent by suspending the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan which has the potential cripple Pakistan’s economy. PM Modi gave full freedom to the Indian armed forces to avenge Pahalgam terror attack as per their choice. It has to be understood that such a political directive from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) means that India’s war against Pak sponsored terror would be dictated by the military objectives.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, which was a precision strike on nine known terror hubs of Pakistan. For the first time, India targeted Pak terror infrastructure at Bahawalpur and Muridke, deep inside their mainland of Punjab. More than 100 terrorists, including some prominent terrorist leaders were killed and their terror infrastructure was completely destroyed. Thus, the first military objective to avenge the loss of Sindoor from our sisters and mothers was amply achieved. India exhibited restraint by not targeting Pakistani military locations and strictly avoided hitting any civilian population of Pakistan.
As expected, Pakistan retaliated in full force, by targeting our airbases from Srinagar to Bhuj. Pakistani forces used missiles and drones to target our border cities and towns too. Our Air Defence thwarted most of these attacks, preventing civilian casualties. Pakistan once again did the cowardly act of targeting locations on the Line of Control (LOC) and we suffered casualties in Poonch, Rajouri and Naushera. Even under grave provocation, India’s response was measured, calibrated and non-escalatory which specifically avoided civilian targets. But when Pakistan continued its offensive, the Indian armed forces retaliated in even stronger manner, destroying 11 Pakistani airbases, from Sargodha to Sialkot between May 7 to May 10, 25. India also destroyed Pakistani radar stations, air defence network and terror infrastructure on the LOC during this period. By the morning of 10 May, Indian armed forces had achieved the laid down objectives of Operation Sindoor.
It is also important to know that military objectives are not easily achieved. The latest example of this is the 12-day war between Israel and the United States with Iran. Despite the attack with their deadliest weapons, Israel and the United States could not achieve their military objectives fully. There has been no change of regime in Iran nor has its ability to make nuclear weapons completely ended. When military objectives are not achieved, wars may drag on for years as has been the case with Russia-Ukraine war which is going on for more than three years. India was wise to temporarily halt Operation Sindoor after having achieved moral and military ascendency over Pakistan.
Pakistan could never have imagined such a severe beating by India and thus on the afternoon of 10 May pleaded ceasefire with India. Since Indian armed forces had more than achieved the laid down military objectives, India accepted cessation of hostilities with Pakistan from 10 May evening. Now imagine that if Pakistan had even slightest military advantage, Pakistani military leadership would never talk of ceasefire. Pakistani forces would have continued military offensive against India. Thus, it is beyond doubt that Indian armed forces had crippled Pakistan’s war waging capability. Therefore, the debate over President Trump’s repeated claims of having engineered the ceasefire is meaningless.
The decision to dispatch seven all party delegations to various parts of the world was a diplomatic masterstroke of Modi government. All the delegations successfully conveyed India’s viewpoint on its war against terror. One question is being raised as to how many countries vocally supported India during Operation Sindoor. It has to be understood that in today’s diplomacy, not everything is spoken and a lot of messaging is symbolic. No worthwhile power has critisised India’s military action against Pakistan. India is world’s fourth largest economy and we have economic ties with most of the countries. On the other hand, Pakistan survives on loans and aids and thus no sensible country stands to gain by supporting Pakistan. Now even the US has banned ‘The Resistance Front (TRF)’ as Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
Indian political parties also exhibited maturity by backing the Modi government initially but later political wranglings started post the ceasefire announcement. A conflict with Pakistan always gets the political colour, possibly because of the emotional connect. But in my opinion, the victory in Operation Sindoor is of the indomitable spirit of Indians and Indian armed forces. PM Modi conveyed the same feeling before the onset of the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament. I am of the firm opinion that our Parliament too should unitedly echo the national sentiment of victory over Pakistan.
The discussion on Operation Sindoor would be keenly watched by Pakistani armed forces and their puppet political leadership. The Pakistani social media too would be ready to propagate their false narrative, if given any discordant notes from our Parliament. In my opinion, the first phase of Operation Sindoor would count as one of the most brilliant military victories of India after independence. Our sacred Parliament should therefore further cement the military victory over Pakistan by conveying India’s resolve against terrorism. The government should take constructive criticism positively and discuss the remedial measures in the Parliament. For India’s political leadership, this possibly is the last chance to speak and act in complete unison towards New Normal against terrorism and other security threats. Jai Bharat!
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