NEW DELHI – A noted former general of the Indian Army has admitted that the recent spree of combat against Pakistan was a defeat for India though it ended in a stalemate.
Lt Gen H S Panag, in his latest piece for The Print, highlighted the strategic advantages of both the states and drew a comparison between the South Asian countries, ratifying that as both sides achieved their political and military aims, it should be a concern for India.
Panag also admitted that questions are being raised about lack of comprehensive national security and military strategy of India after the combat that lasted for 90 hours, starting from India’s violation of the Line of Control.
The author is not much impressed with the diplomatic gains claimed to have been achieved by India as he states: “…given Pakistan’s geostrategic location, its ‘alliance’ with China and Islamic countries, and its indispensability vis-a-vis American exit from Afghanistan, India’s diplomatic gains may only be temporary.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/noted-british-journalist-finds-israels-fingerprints-all-over-indias-escalating-conflict-with-pakistan/
The former war veteran also admits that the latest combat has exposed the notion of India’s military superiority over Pakistan.
“Militarily, the conflict ended in a stalemate due to the quid pro quo aerial strikes by the Pakistan Air Force and the ‘drawn’ aerial engagement, thus blunting the psychological fear regarding India’s conventional superiority,” writes Mr Panag.
The former soldier also highlights the reasons as to why the perception about the superiority of India was badly shaken acknowledging that ‘we [India] neither have a comprehensive strategy nor have we created the overwhelming technological and military edge, which is a prerequisite for the success of this strategy’.
Mr Panag also reveals that Indian response strategy has been ad hoc and event-driven and Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was carried away by political rhetoric, inadvertently admitted this inadequacy when he regretted the delay in Rafale deal.
The former general also quipped that even a modern rifle would have made a difference apart from the Rafale, criticising Modi that he laid the foundation stone for a rifle manufacturing unit at the fag end of his tenure.
The columnist also regretted the pendency of a comprehensive National Security Strategy and reforms in higher defence management, armed forces’ structure/organisations, and modernisation.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/indian-fighter-jet-crashes-in-badgam/
“There has been no forward movement in this regard for the last 20 years, which includes 10 years each of the Congress and the BJP rule,” Panag adds.
The most important part from former GOC’s piece is when he admits Pakistan’s superiority over India – contrary to what Indian media is reporting.
“In the last few days, Pakistan stole a march over us in perception management, which was directed at the domestic and the international audience, including India’s,” the author states.
The soldier who served for 40 years in the Army also fired a broadside at the government for not furnishing any evidence regarding the events that followed the Pulwama attack.
“In today’s transparent world, one cannot solely rely on cryptic statements by the government without credible evidence. Once politicians start managing perception through political rhetoric at rallies/public functions, sooner than later they score self-goals as has been evident from the contradictory statements of the BJP leadership,” Panag adds.
The defence analyst also admitted that the ‘plight of the captured air warrior became a national obsession, which in turn influenced political and military decision-making’.
The tail of his column gives a cost-effective solution instead of warmongering and that ‘winning the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir’.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/fake-news/did-pakistani-f-16-pilot-shahaz-ud-din-lose-life-in-clash-with-iaf-indian-propaganda-turns-out-to-be-fake-news/
The piece comes a week after Indian Air Force violated the Line of Control before being whisked away by the Pakistan Air Force – though Indian claimed to have carried out a surgical strike in Pakistan without furnishing any evidence.
A day later, Indian Air Force again violated the Line of Control, however, this time Pakistan AIr FOrce shot down two fighter jets of India while capturing a pilot ABhinandan alive.
The wing commander Abhinandan was handed over to India last Friday as a gesture of peace by Pakistan to de-escalate the tension.
Read full article here.
