A Pakistani Army Border Action Team (BAT) beheaded the Indian soldiers near the Line of Control (LOC). This has naturally further exacerbated relations between India and Pakistan. The atrocity occurred under heavy shelling by Pak troops and within 24 hours of Pakistani General Qamar Bajwa’s visit to the LOC. The incident has belied hopes of a crackdown on anti-India terror. No doubt the Army is the controlling force in Pakistan. Unless the army is pro-peace, bilateral talks with the Pakistani civilian government will be abortive. The civilian government and the army in Pakistan are at odds with each other over some media leakage. That makes it unlikely that Islamabad and Rawalpindi will speak with the same voice in talks with India.India needs to hammer out a multi-pronged strategy in the circumstances.
The Indian Army should be allowed to retaliate against every hostile action by Pakistan. Measures should be taken to deter Pakistani BAT operations and cross-border terrorism. Attack on Indian Army Personnel in Jammu& Kashmir should be dealt with firmly. It is good that the Indian Army has now escalated firing on Pakistan army bunkers. Security of Indian military installations should be adequately tightened up. India has rightly talked of revenge against the recent barbaric act. Pakistan has naturally asked for proof of the mutilation. The Hizbul Mujahideen has blamed CRPF for the death of two bank guards. The atmosphere is tense. Nevertheless, India should press on with diplomatic endeavours to facilitate talks led by a full-time Defence Minister.
