ANALYSIS
The political objective of military preparedness is to warn hostile neighbours against any misadventure
Balakot has been in the news for the past few days and perhaps such overkill makes me wonder if the place still exists. ‘Reduced to ashes or damaged beyond recognition’, as per claims made by many after the 12 Mirage strikes on February 26, needs to be discussed from a slightly different perspective. I will focus on three issues, ie, ‘Target selection’, ‘Use of a strategic resource’ and the importance of the critical ‘Element of National Power’ – ‘The National Will’.
To avenge the loss of our 40 CRPF personnel killed in one of the most dastardly acts of terrorism at Pulwama in the Kashmir Division of the state, political pundits spelt out the target for the Indian Air Force to launch a deep strike mission. The target selected after carrying out adequate deliberation was the terrorist camp established in the higher reaches of Balakot town in Mansehra District in Pakistan (NOT PoK). The largest Jaish-e-Mohammad training Institute in Balakot is Madarsa Syed Ahmad Shaheed, as described in the book Jihad-e Kashmir and Afghanistan by Muhammad Amir Rana. Access to the camp is along a very narrow path, five km from Atr Sheesha village located on the road from Mansehra to Balakot town. It is after an arduous trek that the camp is reached and entry is strictly controlled even for Jaish cadres. The complex is huge with a very imposing entrance like that of a castle capable of housing up to 2000 mujahideens.
Keeping in mind its importance, perhaps the target was selected by the NSA and the task given to Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa, with a caveat that damage be restricted to the terrorists camp and training Institute with no military or civilian casualties being acceptable. As a military target it seemed attractive and within reach at the planning stage. However, due to the difficult terrain and dense foliage, the after-attack requirements of authentic early damage assessment would make the task difficult.
Approximately 80 km deep inside Pakistan, the Balakot Jaish camp could well be hit and as per the Chief of the Air Staff’s confirmation, the mission was successfully accomplished and the target neutralised. However, equally important was the need to share the damage assessment report, although selectively, for the public to believe that the strategic resources used have been effective and impactful.
While many a media report, and rightly so, supported the Air Chief’s statement, there was a need to share more convincing information, like the damage assessment report. This perhaps was grossly missed out when we discussed the narrative, resulting in misplaced authentication inserts. There was a need for joint press briefings and regular Government updates.
Was such a target strategic or could it be classed as a tactical military target? I would think the latter since the objective was limited to containing terrorism under the prism of ‘Assured limited Military Response’ and at the same time ensuring that Pakistan’s threshold level was not crossed. Hence was there a need for strategic resources being used merely to convey to a larger audience that ‘No more’ terror attacks will be acceptable? With our military capability and expertise, I am sure we could have used other means, to include specific ‘Seek and destroy’ missions with immediate damage assessment reports available to convince the nation that the political leadership will act across borders to protect the sovereignty of the country.
It is conceivable that political warfare will selectively replace military warfare and become a primary weapon in international struggles for power. However, it must be understood that both must coexist and it is in their combined use that victory can be assured. The political objective of military preparedness is to deter neighbouring countries from using military force by making it too risky for them to undertake any kind of misadventure. Hence the need of constantly upgrade the military in all forms and maintaining high morale of the Armed Forces must remain the quintessence for ensuring success. My observation is that political interference on matters military should be minimal and I believe it is equally important that the quality of military leadership has a direct relationship on national power.
To conclude, I really wonder if the ‘national will’ displayed in the media was overstated with the intent to support the ruling party in vote-bank politics or would such trends lead to negative politicking? If the objective was on the lines of ‘Operation Babylon’, the surprise Israeli air attack deep into Iraq on June 7, 1981, when the Israeli Air Force destroyed the ‘Osirak nuclear reactor’ and returned back safely after a three-hour-long operation, then I suppose the operation would perhaps be more justified. Projecting the air arm with immense risks and as just another tool for achieving partial political objective, I feel seems rather suspect, which lacks of ‘National Will’. I believe we have the military capacity to selectively hit the enemy at a place of our choosing and it is in such well rehearsed calculated response that deterrence will bring about the change required to bring about peace in our region.
Author is a former Brigadier. Views are personal.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Know date, time and significance of festival
DSP tracks down vegetable vendor after 14 years, reason will leave you surprised
Chennai Rain Alert: Heavy showers expected today, IMD issues warning to 11 districts
Ankur Warikoo shares details about his annual salary, reveals he earns Rs...
Donald Trump chooses Elon Musk to lead THIS new Department, it is...
Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 LIVE UPDTES: Voting for first phase begins
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh on verge of scripting history, need 8 wickets to achieve THIS massive feat
Bulldozer justice: SC to pronounce verdict today on pleas for guidelines on demolition of properties
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
Russia plans to boost birth rate with 'Ministry of Sex', here's how
Jharkhand HC issues notice to MS Dhoni in business deal case, asks him to...
IND vs SA, 3rd T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs South Africa match
Meet IAS officer, aka 'Collector Bro', who cracked UPSC exam in 2007, now suspended due to...
Here’s why Chunky Panday wouldn’t stay in Shah Rukh Khan’s house in London
Yash's Toxic in trouble? FIR filed against producers of KGF star's upcoming actioner for illegal...
Meet Dr Priti Challa, Kangana Ranaut film director Krish Jagarlamudi's second wife, she leads...
Yaariyan actor Himansh Kohli ties the knot with mystery girl in Delhi temple, first wedding pics out
‘Sometimes I wish I was more tough, more thick-skinned,’ says Aishwarya Rai in viral video
KL Rahul sweats hard in Perth nets ahead of BGT series, WATCH video here
Shahid Kapoor, wife Mira Kapoor rent out their Rs 580000000 luxury Mumbai apartment for Rs...
South Korean actor Song Jae-rim dies at 39 in Seoul apartment
Viral video: Thar SUV gets stuck on railway track after man tries to shoot reel, watch here
Elon Musk's new X post claims Putin must not be blamed for Russia-Ukraine war, instead names…
Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives fame Shalini Passi reveals 'Mom used chilli powder in my...'
My experiences with dating apps
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reveals how company got its name, says 'we wanted…'
Key Differences Between the Indian Stock Market and Global Indices
Stock prices vs company valuation: Is your stock worth it?
Navjot Singh Sidhu is back on Kapil Sharma's show after five years, but there's a twist
Mukesh Ambani set to invest Rs 65000 crore in THIS Indian state, it will be Reliance's biggest...
Mohammed Shami to return to competitive cricket; star pacer set to play for…
Makoons World School brings a new approach to K-12 education across India
Pakistan Cricket looking to take BIG step on Champions Trophy issue, planning to...
Did Isha Ambani lend Neetu Kapoor her Navratna necklace? Reddit users react
J-K: Gunfight underway between security forces and terrorists in Bandipora
Viral video shows women as 'live mannequins' in mall, sparks fury; WATCH
As Vistara bids goodbye, Air India-Vistara's first flight takes off from Mumbai to...
GATE 2025 Schedule: Exams to begin from February 1; Check full timetable here
CBSE announces BIG changes in Class 10,12 board exams 2025, know details here
Veteran Bengali actor Manoj Mitra dies at 86
Isha Ambani graces Diwali party as she walks with her twins, husband, WATCH
Donald Trump plans to pick Marco Rubio as US Secretary of State: Report
Vadodara IOCL refinery fire: Death toll rises to 2; probe underway
Shah Rukh Khan death threat: Mumbai police arrest accused from Chhattisgarh's Raipur
Delhi reports record high chikungunya, malaria cases in 5 years
Japan's Nara deer's polite bow to Indian woman leaves netizens in awe, WATCH
Meet MS Dhoni’s sister Jayanti Gupta who works as teacher, is married CSK star's...
Pakistani TikTok star Minhal Malik's popularity soars in India, sees unprecedented 100-time surge