The pre-emptive Indian Air Force strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir that have hit camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terror outfits will send a strong message to our unfriendly neighbour. After the dastardly Pulwama attack that killed over 40 CRPF jawans, Pakistan had tested India’s patience by doing nothing to dismantle ISI’s terror infrastructure.
With the 2016 Uri surgical strike and today’s IAF strike, India has made it amply clear to Pakistan that it will hit back quickly and impose costs. Given that both countries possess nuclear weapons Pakistan will do well to consider the risks of needless provocation. The attempt to bleed India through terror will henceforth have more repercussions for Pakistan. Questions are being asked in Pakistan about how in a repeat of the Abbottabad strike by United States, IAF could enter and leave Pak territory without being challenged.
After the strike, Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale struck a measured tone when he pointed out that India was compelled to enter Pakistan to pre-empt another attack on Indian soil for which preparations were afoot. The Indian side also stressed that it took care to avoid civilian casualties and that this was an operation targeting terrorists and not Pakistan military installations. Having accomplished its tactical goals, India must remain vigilant against an escalation with Pakistan forces. Security on border villages must be tightened and more international pressure must be brought to bear on Pakistan to dismantle its terror facilities.
