[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter lot of heat over Mumbai Congress Chief Sanjay Nirupam’s comments, the party has finally disclaimed its leader’s suggestion that last week’s surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) are ‘fake’, unless the government offers proof. I am not here to defend or reject Nirupam’s claim, but being a citizen of this country, why can’t we be united even if it was fake, because to teach Pakistan a lesson, it should be must. We should speak in one voice siding politics if it is in our country’s favour. We should discourage our enemies. Pakistan’s non-state/state actors are attacking our army within our territory and it looks disgraceful that we are divided on the matter. This is the time, we should not put a single step out of line. Problem is China, which is brewing with Pakistan. We have to be strong and prepared remain united and at the same time keep our head cool and rational. I also know, his questions raise doubt on BJP government, but not on our courageous Indian Army.
Army spokesperson had already said whatever was to be said. Yet BJP leaders are claiming something different. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and BJP spokespersons are presenting different versions on various news channels of what happened at Borders. This will definitely raise doubts. BJP should prevent its spokespersons first to refrain from issuing statements. Since Army has handed over the footage to Government, Modi should shut everyone up including all international news channels and Pakistan’s by releasing the footage on National TV. Strike videos are not campaigning material, but Army’s integrity should not be questioned. Surprisingly! Public also gets swayed with this easily. The discussion on strikes has completely masked the issue of the lives lost due to internal weakness – enemy can strike anytime, anywhere. There are no substitutes of Indian forces to secure our borders. Those interested in political gains – any party – must realize that they are doing so at the expense of the pain of the soldiers’ families. There is a lot to be done. India’s vulnerability has not changed.
BJP supporters are treating this attack as a war and propagating it in wrong directions. A surgical strike is a military attack which results in, was intended to result in, or is claimed to have resulted in only damage to the intended legitimate military target, and no or minimal collateral damage to surrounding structures, vehicles, buildings, or the general public infrastructure and utilities. A swift and targeted attack with the aim of minimum collateral damage to the nearby areas and civilians is a surgical strike. Neutralization of targets with surgical strikes also prevents escalation to a full-blown war. Surgical strike attacks can be carried out via air strike, airdropping special ops teams or a swift ground operation or by sending special troops.
Nirupam might have been attacked for the comment, he later clarified that he is not asking BJP to release all video footage, but there is a need to show some proof. Fair enough, there are many Indian citizens like Nirupam who have doubts about the credibility of this government, because first time in Indian history, surgical strike is celebrated akin to winning war. This incidence is used for election gains, and for politics. BJP has lost on Ram Temple, Cow, Ghar Wapsi, Hindutva and many other issues. So, Jawans might be their new election tool. More than Nirupam, its BJP’s supporters who has damaged the reputation of Army and misled the people of this nation.
We all know, Pakistan has asserted that India has flagrantly misrepresented cross-border firing as raids across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The ruling BJP says that politicians like Nirupam are bolstering that claim by seeking evidence. However, BJP needs to explain, why this was not done when Pathankot was attacked? Why they are indulging in this publicity stunt ahead of elections in crucial states?
Seven terror launch pads or staging areas were targeted late night that day. Sources refused to comment on how many terrorists were killed in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in the strikes, but expressed their satisfaction with the impact and said that photographs and video of the operation were ensured, partly through drones. Nirupam’s challenging of the government and army’s account of what transpired comes as the BJP derided Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram for seeking proof of the cross-LoC strikes.
Chidambaram also said, it is up to the government to furnish evidence. Kejriwal has said that while he lauds PM Modi’s firm handling of Pakistan, foreign media reports including in The New York Times and Washington Post are furthering Pakistan’s false propaganda. Though, he stopped short of asking for the video of the strikes to be shared. Kejriwal said the PM must act to counter the reports, which were filed by journalists who were taken to villages on Pakistan’s side of the Line of Control by the Pakistani army. Villagers there joined army generals in declaring that India had not crossed the de facto border. It’s high time, BJP should understand that they got exposed on their claims and that is the reason this time no one wants to buy their logic.
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