The temporary coagulation of political unity soon after the Indian army conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan has fractured. The two sides of the political coin are now locked in a sterile debate over the existence of the videos of the army’s strikes. This is symptomatic of the political leadership mixing up the means with the ends. The continuing slugfest over releasing the tapes hardly promises what the social media and ruling party politicians have primed the citizenry to expect — a teeth-grinding fight to the finish with Pakistan over terrorism. An alternative narrative suggests that the four-hour operation has chastened Pakistan into dumping terrorism as a geopolitical tool.Pakistan withstood 15 years of American diplomatic pressure and drone killings of top Taliban leaders. And now Kabul has been forced to accommodate the “butcher of Kabul” and ISI asset Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Mercifully, the attack on the army camp in Baramula was unsuccessful. What if militants strike again with a large body count as in Uri? A repeat of the cross-border raid is ruled out. The only option for the government to hang on to its aura of machismo and sustain public expectations may be a full-blown war. Are we ready to pay the ensuing consequences of domestic economic distress and international isolation?  Talking of war, there are lakhs of inconvenienced civilians on Pakistan’s border with Punjab and J&K. The political accord between the Akali Dal, the Congress and AAP has dissipated amidst questioning about the purpose of their dislocation. Having taken a leap in the unknown, the onus is on the Modi Government to land on its feet. For this, the government needs an alternative plan to retain public support. If the Modi government opts for talks, it would begin to look like a soaped-up version of the Manmohan Singh government. The only difference was the UPA undertook covert cross-border forays that set the stage for dialogue while this government banks on over-the-top media exposure. Meanwhile, the nation stands diverted while both sides succumb to the lure of extracting political mileage.

Nawaz Sharif. — AFP file

Islamabad, October 5

Asserting that his country wants peace and not war, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan has done everything to bring India to the dialogue table but New Delhi did not let that happen.Addressing a joint session of Parliament, he also spoke about the ‘surgical strikes’ carried out by the Indian Army across the Line of Control (LoC).(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

“On September 28, India’s ceasefire violation resulted in the death of our two soldiers. It was befittingly responded and was conveyed that Pakistan Army is fully capable to respond to any aggression.”Apparently responding to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that both nations should battle to eradicate poverty, Sharif said if New Delhi wants Islamabad to fight them to end poverty then the Asian neighbour should realise that “poverty cannot be ended by driving tanks on farmlands”.Sharif said within hours of the terrorist attack on the Indian Army camp in Uri, India started blaming Pakistan for it without carrying out any investigation.Sharif said Pakistan has a firm commitment to continue its support to “Kashmiris for their legitimate” struggle.The UN resolutions on Kashmir are still on the agenda of the UN Security Council and the international community should take immediate steps for implementation on these resolutions, Radio Pakistan reported Sharif as saying.Kashmir is “burning continuously like a volcano and a convoy of Hurriyat is on its way to achieve the objectives”, Sharif said.”Indian forces cannot suppress the struggle of Kashmiris for right to self-determination.”Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced that it would boycott Wednesday’s joint parliamentary session on the Kashmir issue, with party chairman Imran Khan saying his party would no longer endorse this Parliament.”We fully back Kashmiris’ right to self-determination,” said Imran, adding there wasn’t much left for discussion in the joint session of Parliament.He said that Nawaz Sharif had lost the moral authority to stay as the Prime Minister and that Tehreek-i-Insaf would no longer endorse this parliament. — Agencies

PUNE: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday India might start getting Rafale fighter aircraft from France earlier than the agreed upon 36-month period.

“As per terms of the deal it is 36 months (during which the delivery has to start), but it may come slightly earlier. We have requested them to (deliver it) as fast as possible,” he said.

On September 23, India and France signed the much-delayed 7.87-billion euro (`59,000 crore approximately) deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets that will come equipped with latest missiles and weapon systems besides multiple India-specific modifications that will give the IAF greater “potency” over arch rival Pakistan.

The “vanilla price”, or the price of the aircraft lone, will be about 91 million euros for a single-seater and about 94 million euros for a two-seater.

Parrikar also said a 12-member committee to suggest structural changes in the military on cutting down flab and reducing revenue (maintenance) expenditure would soon submit its report.

The deal is crucial for the IAF that is grappling with a drawdown of its fighter fleet. The IAF has 33 fighter squadrons, each consisting of 18 fighter planes. It requires 45 combat units to counter a combined threat from China and Pakistan.

The delivery of the jets will begin in 36 months and will be completed in 66 months from the date the contract is inked.

The Centre had initially planned to purchase 126 fighter planes but later opted for just 36 jets in fly-away condition with PM Narendra Modi announcing the revised deal in Paris last year.

The General arrives in Udhampur

Udhampur/Chandigarh, October 1

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Saturday visited the Northern and Western Commands to review India’s “operational preparedness” along the border with Pakistan in the wake of heightened tension between the two countries following the surgical strike at terror camps across the LoC.

The Army Chief was briefed by top commanders in both the crucial commands about the prevailing situation and their overall preparedness and contingency plans.

At the Udhampur headquarters of the Northern Command, which planned and executed the surgical strike, General Singh interacted with special forces personnel who successfully carried out the operation.

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He was briefed by Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC-in-C Northern Command on the overall security situation in the Command theatre.

“The Army Chief interacted with the Corps Commanders and took a first-hand assessment of the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness,” a top Army official in the Northern Command said.

He said General Singh also interacted with the troops who participated in the surgical strike operation and conveyed his appreciation for the successful operation.

Singh personally complimented officers and men who “successfully” targeted seven terror launch pads located in Leepa, Tattapani, Kel and Bhimbar.

“The Army Chief was briefed on the operational matters by GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Surinder Singh,” a defence spokesman said in Chandigarh.

“The Army Chief interacted with senior formation commanders and exhorted them to continue to maintain the highest vigil and alertness on the western borders,” he said.

Sources had said the decision on the surgical strike was taken soon after the attack on the Uri Army base on September 18. They said India was ready with contingency plans considering the possibilities that Pakistan may retaliate in the wake of the surgical strike.

It has been estimated that the number of casualties was at least 40 on Pakistani side but there was no official confirmation.

The Army has also trashed reports in Pakistan about Indian casualties during the operation, saying one member of the special forces received minor injury while returning but it was not due to any enemy or terrorist action. — PTI

With its soldiers crossing the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday night, India has paid back Pakistan with the same strategy of sub-conventional warfare it has followed with impunity for over two decades. India has conducted cross-LoC operations in the past to subdue a pesky Pakistan army post or haul in militants about to enter the Kashmir Valley. This operation stood out for the panache with which it was handled. Two officers, one a General and the other a seasoned diplomat, came up with a carefully measured account of India’s first public admission of a cross-border operation into Pakistan. There was none of the disorderliness associated with last year’s strike across the eastern border when blustering politicians nearly messed up India’s bilateral ties with Myanmar.India’s upfront admission of the strike-back was in stark contrast to the sneak attack in Uri on sleeping soldiers. An Indian Army officer called up the Pakistan army to own up the operation unlike the perpetual denials from the other side even when the signatures are visible to all.  Worse, the much-vaunted Pakistan army stood exposed. Despite having been put on notice by Modi and Rajnath Singh, it allowed an eight-hour operation that inflicted heavy casualties. The Pakistan army then closed its options to respond or try to influence international public opinion by denying that there was a cross-border operation at all.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has definitely retrieved the political capital he lost after not responding to several terrorist outrages. America’s advice to Pakistan to mothball UN-indicted militant outfits indirectly rationalises the operation. Having played the game adroitly, the ruling party must resist the temptation of turning a professional military strike into political theatre. Social media is already ablaze and the politician could be seduced into riding the feel-good wave by deriding Pakistan. Such an attitude can trigger an escalation and economies don’t take kindly to upheavals. The stock markets have already tanked. As India is isolating Pakistan by other means, a prudent politician should put the war drums in storage and wait for this strategy to bring the desired results.

Was speaking to reporters

New Delhi, September 30All attempts are being made to secure the release of the Indian soldier who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.Singh said the government had taken note of the reports which stated that an Indian soldier is in Pakistan’s captivity.“All attempts are being made to secure his release,” he told reporters here.The Home Minister said New Delhi would take up the matter with Islamabad for his early release.Indian Army sources had said on Thursday that “one soldier from 37 RR with a weapon has inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control. Pakistan has been informed by the DGMO on the hotline”.Sources had said that his crossing-over was not related to the surgical strikes.“Such inadvertent crossing-over by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,” they had said.

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The Indian Army on Thursday had rejected as “false and baseless” reports in a section of Pakistani media that eight Indian soldiers were killed and one captured by Pakistani military in retaliatory fire.Indian Army sources said, “As regards (to the) report of killing of eight Indian Army personnel reported in sections of Pakistani media, the report is completely false and baseless.”The Army’s reaction had came after Pakistan’s Dawn News reported that Pakistani military had claimed that it had killed eight Indian soldiers and captured one while retaliating to India’s firing at the first line of defence at the Line of Control (LoC) at Tatta Pani.India had carried out surgical strikes on seven terror launch pads across the LoC with the Army inflicting “significant casualties” on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from PoK. PTI

MY posting to Leh had the major advantage that the family was only an hour away at Chandigarh, but it had certain disadvantages, one being the headache of looking after the stream of VIP visitors from Udhampur-Srinagar and Delhi in summer. In true fauji style, I had evolved an SOP to look after the guests. My 2IC or a suitable LO (Liaison Officer), generally a JCO, would receive the guests at the airport and bring them to the guestroom, where all necessary arrangements would be made for their comfortable stay. The guests would then receive a folder containing medical instructions along with other necessary information. When I met them in the evening, I would pull out the laminated page and request them to go through it. This drill was working fine till a Major-General from the Army HQ landed with his wife and children.When I informed him in the evening that acclimatisation for at least 24 hours was a must, he gave me an ‘I know it all’ smile and disarmed me of  my logic that they should relax for some time. He informed me that he had been a Military Attaché for four years at a place with much lower temperatures and as such had experienced even worse climatic conditions. He had a packed schedule and was keen to see all he could in Leh, visit a unit in the forward area, pedal-boat in Pangong Tso and fly back to Delhi on the fourth day as he had an important assignment awaiting him. I was told to get everything organised in a manner that would not disturb his schedule. I was expected to accompany him and his wife in the staff car, followed by a back-up Jonga in which his children and supporting staff were to travel. While having dinner, I once again pleaded with him to change the itinerary, this time receiving the full support of his wife and children, but the stubborn General did not budge.As planned, we commenced the journey at 9 am sharp. The General was very cheerful and delighted to see the snow-capped peaks. He interacted with me enthusiastically till we reached the outskirts of Karu, barely a 45-minute drive, when he started feeling giddy and asked the driver to stop. I loosened his belt and sewadars rushed water, tea, coffee, etc., to the car from the Jonga. After waiting for half-an-hour in the wilderness, we started the return journey as his condition worsened. I decided to take him straight to the Military Hospital. Soon, the Commandant of the hospital also arrived and after some discussion with doctors informed me that the General had to stay under observation for two days. I also learnt, for the first time, that whenever any officer of the rank of Major-General and above got admitted to hospital, certain information was required to be sent to the HQ. His wife stayed with him in the hospital while his children had some fun going to the market and a nearby monastery. On the fourth day, the family took a flight back to Delhi. In a few days, I received a demi-official letter from him, thanking me profusely for all that I had done for him. I made it a point to share this story with new guests and never had any problem thereafter.

The order will be applicable to personnel of BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB.

New Delhi, September 27

Jawans and officers of Central paramilitary forces like BSF, CRPF and ITBP will soon be accorded the status of “battle casualty” on the lines of armed forces that will allow their families to avail special concessionary benefits for education and livelihood.Officials said the Union Home Ministry has “in principle agreed” to grant sanction after the country’s largest border guarding force BSF made a proposal in this regard sometime back, which was taken up during a review meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh today.They said the battle casualty status will allow the family members of the personnel killed in the line of duty to avail special benefits like obtaining educational benefits/loans for children of the slain soldier, getting jobs in state government and private sector and while applying for licence for running public service utilities like a fuel pump or a gas agency.”The final modalities are being worked out and an order will be soon issued by the Home Ministry. This will be applicable for the jawans and officers of forces like BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB and NDRF,” a senior official said.The facilities that can be provided under the battle casualty status by the Centre and various state governments are being worked out, they said.Also, they said, the Ministry will consider enhancing the risk and hardship allowance given to the about eight lakh men and women of these forces tasked to render a variety of internal security tasks within the country and at the international borders.During the meeting, the BSF also put forth its request to the Ministry to make its air wing a “self regulatory establishment” on the lines of the Coast Guard, the maritime security force under the Ministry of Defence.”The proposal essentially flags that the BSF air wing used for transport of Central Armed Police Forces and VVIPs should be given more assets and authority to operate in a more organised fashion. It is desired that the BSF air wing gets more independence in undertaking operational sorties. Comments have been sought in this regard from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Defence and also Coast Guard,” they said.The BSF, during the meeting, also informed the Home Minister that the special tech-based border security and fencing gadgets project will soon be implemented on a pilot basis along both the western (Pakistan) and eastern (Bangladesh) frontiers.BSF Director General K K Sharma also mentioned the issue of upgradation of their border outposts and troop locations along the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh frontiers during the meeting, they said. — PTI

The PM will hold the meeting on Thursday.

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 27

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review India’s unilateral granting of the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) status to Pakistan under the WTO rules.                    A meeting to this effect will be held on Thursday and will be attended by top officials of the government, including Commerce and External Affairs, top sources in the government said.                        The review comes amid a clamour to take action against the country in the backdrop of the September 18 Uri attack.

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India granted the MFN status to Pakistan in 1996. Pakistan has not given a similar status to India.The MFN status to Pakustan was accorded in 1996 under WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).According to Assocham, out of India’s total merchandise trade of $641 billion in 2015-16, Pakistan accounted for a meagre $2.67 billion.India’s exports to the neighbouring country worked out to $2.17 billion, or 0.83 per cent, of the total Indian outward shipments while imports were less than $500 million, or 0.13 per cent, of the total inward shipments.”In all, trade with Pakistan was equivalent to 0.41 per cent of India’s global merchandise commerce,” Assocham secretary general DS Rawat said in the statement.“The MFN status, or no MFN, has not made much of a difference on the bilateral trade,” he said.“While India has granted Pakistan the MFN status, Islamabad had not responded. But even with the MFN status, Pakistan’s exports to India remained less than half a billion dollars,” he added.The major items of Indian export to Pakistan include organic chemicals, vegetables, cotton, plastics and processed food waste, like fodder.Items of Indian imports from Pakistan include cottons, fruits and nuts, mineral fuels, wax, sulphur, lime, cement and hides.”Going forward, as things stand today, it is almost no movement seen in the immediate future. Even the symbolic presence of Pakistan exhibitors at the annual India International Trade Fair (IITF) in November in New Delhi is not expected whether or not formal ties are snapped or not, given the present state of affairs,” Rawat said.Assocham said “India Inc. is fully behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi for steering India’s interest in the best possible directions”.”India’s strategic decisions are fully the domain of the government, which enjoys the full backing of the nation,” Rawat added.At another review meeting here on Monday, Prime Minister Modi directed that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan be revisited.”Blood and water cannot flow together,” Modi said at the meeting to review the Indus Water Treaty signed by India and Pakistan in 1960.It was decided that the meetings of Indus water commissioners, that are held to resolve disputes, will now be held “only in an atmosphere free of terror”. — With agencies