Pak savagery on the Line of Control in J& K
Lt-Gen HarwantSingh ( Retd )
Pakistani troops crossed the Line of control ( LoC ) in the Poonch
Sector of J and K and killed two India soldiers. It is not so much the
killing but the savage act and heinous crime of mutilating the bodies of
these soldiers, which has caused widespread indignation and outrage in
India. There is nothing unusual for casualties to take
place, on both sides of the L of C due to sporadic firing from either
side. It is the crossing of the Loc and committing the brutal and
un-soldierly act of mutilating the bodies and beheading one of our
soldiers, that has created such uproar in India.
Such cowardly acts are normally the wont of Taliban. On all accounts,
Pakistan army has been through a phase of Talibanisation. Shooting
women, stoning them to death as a dispensation of justice is
reprehensible practice followed by the bigoted and the savage. Whereas
soldiering, is an honourable profession where gallantry and chivalry is
the hallmark of a good army. It is also in the interest of discipline
and good morale that the troops are required to conduct
themselves in a dignified manner, both in peace and during operations.
In the same sector, in early nineties, Pakistani troops crossed over
the L of C and established a post in the upper part of Kirni village. A
few days later, Pakistani troops were evicted from this post. While the
enemy was thrown back, it left behind dead bodies of a soldier and an
officer. Next day at a flag meeting at Poonch and in the presence of a
few thousand civilians from both sides, the dead bodies were handed over
to Pakistan military, observing complete religious rites and with full
military honours. Because, for Indian army it is an article of faith
that enemy dead must be honoured and the unarmed done no harm. Those who
violate this code of conduct
are hauled over the coals.
Pakistan army does not fool around with those who take firm and
punitive action against any misdemeanor on its part. In the above
narrated incidence, it was expected that Pakistan army would react to,
what it felt was an ignominy of being evicted from that post and having
to accept two dead bodies in the presence of such a large gathering of
civilians. Pakistan army had tremendous tactical advantage in the area,
but Indians took the necessary steps to nullify that advantage and cater
for such an eventuality. Pakistan army launched two battalion size
attacks on two successive nights and both the battalions were decimated
by the defensive fire tasks ( DF tasks ) much before the enemy could
close in with our troops.
Thereafter Pakistan army pleaded for a ceasefire, to evacuate its dead
and wounded. Such a firm action by the Indian army resulted in complete
peace along the L of C for the next many years.
There is complete lack of trust of the Pak army and it is this, which
has resulted in Indian army’s stance of no withdrawal from Siachen
without demarcation of the Line of Actual Control on the ground and
delineation of the same on the maps of both countries. Wherever and
where ever India has firmly dealt with Pakistan, the later has refrained
from repeating the same mischief. Be it the invasion of J and K in
1947 or the offensive in the Akhnur sector of J and K in 1965.
Had
India acted firmly against Pakistan after the attack on Parliament, in
all probability 9/11 at Bombay would not have taken place. These and the
attack on Red Fort were preplanned and executed with the full knowledge
and support of Pakistani establishment. BJP government then and UPA
now, failed in its primary duty to protect the nation.
It is our failure to deal with Pakistan at Kargil in an appropriate
manner and not punish it for it’s perfidy that has left us with the
sinking feeling that once we vacate positions at Siachen,
Pakistan would invariably occupy these. At Kargil the political
executive showed extreme timidity and the military failed to put across
the necessity of making Pakistan pay for its mischief, with the result
that we paid in heavy casualties in those frontal attacks, up impossible
slopes and heights. Further we ended up deploying a division where a
brigade was enough and a corps where a division could do the job. Such
large addition of troops, North of Zojila Pass, has sent the
Indian defence budget into a tailspin.
India’s backward bend to create a climate of trust and good neighbourly
relations, building bridges of trade and commerce has been a one sided
affair. These attempts need to be linked
with, end to cross border terrorism. Any mischief by Pakistan needs
appropriate reaction by India: politically, diplomatically and
militarily.
the author commanded a corps in J and J during the early nineties.
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