There is no doubt that India went through a very calculated, deliberated upon and precise campaign, starting with a large slew of actions that impact our relations with Pakistan, from the IWT, diplomatic, trade, visa, etc. Lastly, the govt empowered the military with freedom of action, as deemed fit to meet very stringent political objectives with regards to initial targeting, as also subsequent targeting, based on proportionality to the Pak response.
The choice of targets, the choice of medium/platforms and the political decisions put the IAF in the lead position with Navy and Army in standby positions to take on/deter the fallout of the Pakistani retaliation.
The first nine strikes targeted mostly the terrorist infrastructure, which included the infrastructure of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, both Islamist groups designated "terrorist" organisations by the U.N. Security Council.
Over 100 terrorists were killed in the operation, as per the details given out by the Raksha Mantri. The funeral of the LeT leaders was attended by a large number of military officers, which included a Lt Gen and other star ranks too. Also, these coffins were draped with the Pakistani flag.
Does any sane person need any more proof that these funerals were being accorded to Pakistan state's strategic assets?
The campaign then progressed to a proportional response to the Pak retaliation, and it worked perfectly, with India upping the choice of targets/ depth of penetration/ choice of weapons, as the campaign unfolded.
The last 13 strikes, over 23 minutes on May 10, delivered a blow that showcased the will and capability of the Indian armed forces to precisely target any credible military or other worthwhile target, within the length and breadth of Pak. India thereafter acceded to the Pak request for a cessation of fire on land, air, and sea wef 5 pm on May 10th. What is the significance of this decision by India, when India had nearly everything going in its favour? How?
India, as a responsible state, was neither interested in pushing the world into a nuclear fallout, nor interested in taking over a failed state like Pakistan. All it was trying to do was to send a strategic message to the powers that be in Pakistan that we now have both the capability and the will to hit them whenever, wherever we wish to in the entire length and breadth of their land; there are no places to hide.
The nuclear threat by Pak, the strikes across the international border, and military action in response to terror strikes were all red lines that have been breached with this campaign, in line with the colour of Sindoor and the innocent blood of civilians that has been lost over the years due to countless terror strikes aided and abetted by Pak.
I am sure that any good leadership would keep the above facts in mind before they contemplate any future terrorist or other actions that are inimical to India, or Indians.
I am hoping that the elected govt of Pakistan has the welfare of the Pakistani citizens in mind, and also has the will and capability to bring its own rogue institutions, especially the Army and the ISI, under control.
This campaign and it's underlying message of "swift and punitive action" should put sense in, and deter, any logical and self respecting nation to stop use of terror, as an instrument of state policy. Is the above applicable to Pak too, is a million dollar question? Only time will tell. India will wait until then, with its kinetic actions on "a pause", in the words of the Raksha Mantri.
Pak is unraveling slowly but surely due to its own internal contradictions with regards to faith, ethnicity, region, and language.
While Pakistanis will have to decide on their own future course of action, we need to strengthen our systems/laws/enforcement/ Atma nirbharta/ to ensure a strong & united response to any and every future misadventure.
Let us put our own home in order, politically, bureaucratically, socially, while the armed forces stand tall guarding our frontiers, ready to take on any external threats.
It is time that the nation takes concrete actions to neutralize the half front that is alleged to exist within our borders.
Jai Hind.
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