It’s a sign of the times that vital information concerning India’s defence comes from foreign soil in bits and pieces. In an epic demonstration of drift that marks these times, the ‘ceasefire’ between India and Pakistan was first announced in May by American President Donald Trump from the comfort of the White House. India’s defence chief later went to Singapore and spoke about our loss of aircraft in the war, but left the big question unanswered: how many fighter jets were lost. Now, a defence attaché states a bit more in Jakarta, Indonesia, about the reason why India lost “some” aircraft. While India is “hiding” facts, the global media is awash with Pakistani claims about the “big hits” it did on India. Pakistan obviously won the information war. But every penny the nation lost is answerable as it was taken from the tax the people paid through their noses to the exchequer. The government in a hide-and-seek mode is not yet ready to face the opposition’s questions in Parliament. Despite a vague denial from Delhi, questions would also be raised in Parliament as to how Donald Trump got objectionably involved in the Kashmir-linked offensive.
The defence attaché – an authoritative source – tells a foreign audience that the loss of fighter jets to Pakistan fire was due to “constraints” placed on the Indian forces by the government in New Delhi; not due to the fault of the military brass. From what he stated, it is clear that the mess-up was caused by a decision and the subsequent transmission of a message to Pakistan by the Indian government that India would fire only at the terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan and not strike at the military. The misplaced, perhaps foolish, “expectation” was that the Pakistani military would stand aside and simply watch the action. The reverse obviously happened on May 7, when the Indian offensive started. This instruction obviously tied the hands of the Indian military at the critical first hour. The Pakistani military establishment, with much glee, responded in full force and with unexpected vehemence. The unwarranted advance warning helped the Pakistani military to safely eject terror masterminds to safer locations in a jiffy. Hence, India could not get at them; and instead we got Masood Azhar’s sister and her family; not Azhar himself. India’s strategy misfired. There was a monumental blunder.
Consider, rather, the manner in which Israel decimated Iran’s military commander and others by precision strikes. India’s stated position is that the terrorists are part of the Pakistani military establishment. This was confirmed by video clips of army officers carrying the hearses of the killed terrorists and organising their funeral there. They are one and the same. This being so, what sense does a message of this kind make? We are yet to get many matters straightened out. Like, also, how we lost the “six” fighter jets if the air forces of Pakistan and India did not cross the border. Facts are sacred and must come out.
