Abbottabad, a long way from New Delhi

India, considered a soft State, has yet to evolve US-like hard hitting policy

The Americans have shown to the world that they are the leaders, who can avenge any wrong done on their soil or to them.
A small platoon of SEAL commandos barged into terror-infested military-controlled Pakistan, kill Osama bin Laden and coolly fly off. The 40-minute raid will be recorded in world history as an operation that changed the world’s power dynamics.
Apart from displaying US supremacy to the world, the Abbottabad operation exposed the true face of Pakistan led by bigots and fanatics.
It is not only shameful for the Pakistani military but also criminal on the part of Generals who call the shots in that part of the land where Kalashnikovs are as common as cell phones when they were just getting introduced ten years ago in India. Everybody who has an AK-47 flashes it, and those who don’t go to Peshawar, Lahore, Quetta to buy rifles and pistols off the shelf, just like they buy an aspirin in Islamabad.
Osama bin Laden was staying in luxury in the backyard of the military district with all the facilities at his command. He was reportedly suffering from kidney problems. He needed medical care. The Pakistani Army was unquestionably supporting, protecting and looking after Osama like it does with hundreds and thousands of Osamas who dot the landscape.
Terrorism is the mainstay of Pakistan, widely considered the most dangerous place on earth. Writer Salman Rushdie has called for it to be declared as a terrorist state. Former cricketer Imran Khan acknowledges that the situation in Pakistan has gone out of control.
Pakistan today is not a country that can to be trusted by the comity of nations. Governance is negligible. Pak-occupied-Kashmir and Gilgit are two separate entities. Balochistan, FATA, NWFP and Punjab (Pak side) are infested with guns. The Americans have been using drones to kill terrorists but bombs don’t know the difference between a jihadi and a peaceful citizen.
Sooner or later, some warlord, tribal chief or even army general is going to announce running away with a part of Pakistan to form his own country.
It is no wonder that Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani warns India not to even think of “any misadventure” as he said it would lead to a catastrophe. Gen Kayani is like a weakling, who gets slapped by a strong, muscled dada on the street, and looks at the non-intrusive watcher saying man you don’t mess with me. The tough dada is still standing there ready to slap!
Undoubtedly a neighbour who is on the path of destruction, has nothing to lose, or is controlled by terrorists who maintain a military-clad façade, is a very dangerous neighbourhood to live in. It is time to beware of men of Rawalpindi!
Anyway, the point is Gen Kayani need not spend sleepless nights over a possible American-like Abbottabad attack by Indian forces. His useless bravado is aimed at addressing a humiliated audience rather than scaring Generals in New Delhi.
General Saab, India is also not considered a soft state for nothing. She will not require Pakistan’s bombs and guns like in Kargil and repeated terror-strike. On the contrary, the more you, or ISI or LeT or JeM strike, the stronger India becomes. It brings people together, it unites regions and castes and religions.
Ironically, the problem is more of political nature in India juxtaposed by a consortium of intelligence babus mired by a rotten executive structure that is unable to deliver. The politico-intelligence-babus nexus is making the country a weak and soft nation.
Our exemplary track record underlines that our national interest is just kept outside the purview of South Block. Safety, security and welfare of the citizens are of virtually of less importance.
Indian politicians arm its revolt groups by getting guns dropped in Purulia. The Lativan crew were pardoned and released. Peter Bleach too was released by a presidential pardon, allegedly due to persistent British pressure.
Anti-India and Khalistan protagonist Jagjit Singh Chauhan has been living as a free Indian citizen in Punjab, after almost dividing the people into Hindus and Sikhs and breaking up the country.
After hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, India let off three top terrorists one of whom went on to head the JeM. Attacking Kandhar was not even a viable option discussed by security mandarins on Race Course Road when the political leadership was discussing exchanging civilians with terrorists and ransom money.
Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir or North-East, who kill Army soldiers, are allowed to surrender and become respectable citizens, given Government jobs or even join the security forces. The Indian Government is in peace talks with NSCN and Ulfa, the two outfits that created havoc in the N-E. Chinese successfully ‘adventure’ into India and threaten Ladkahi farmers.
If India had to react, the military should have done after 7/11 Mumbai train blasts or after 26/11 strike by Kasab and his team. Or for that matter, India could have gone for hot pursuit and got Dawood Ibrahim in Karachi or hundreds of terror camps along the Line of Control.
But why Pakistan, India even failed to act against Paresh Baruah of Ulfa who was reported to be in Bangladesh for nearly two decades. India shares open borders with Bangladesh, who has been intermittingly treading Pakistan’s hostile path. What did the Indian military do?
Historically, India has never taken a tough stand except in Sri Lanka and that too when the Tamil Eelem leaders, trained by Indian military crossed the official brief.
Sadly, administratively, the country is on a sticky wicket also. So General Saab, fret not over India’s design, for it has not any.
The political will of a strong nation has yet to evolve. We are the land of Gandhi and not Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh, who do not even get a national holiday on the respective Jayantis’. Till we celebrate January 23 or September 28 as national holidays, Pakistan be assured of no surgical strikes on the part of India. And if it happens, when it happens, God save Pakistan!