Lt Col Aditya Pratap Singh, an alumnus of NDA, Khadakwasla, was commissioned into, first battalion of Sikh Light Infantry in the year 1997. A war-wounded soldier, he was awarded-"Mentioned in Despatches" by President of India. Served in Jammu and Kashmir for more than nine years. He authored two books based on his experiences, “Kashmiri Khilafat aur Hindu Narsanhar”- the eye-opener book brings out appalling realities of "Hindu Genocide" in Kashmir by Islamists and “Pulwama to Balakot: Pakistan Demolished”.

In his 21 years of service in the Army, he was part of "Operation Vijay 1999" and "Operation Parakram 2002" and served the nation from North-East to North with utmost devotion and dedication.

MT: The dastardly Pulwama attack has claimed the lives of over 40 CRPF personnel. At a tactical level, the loss of so many policemen must have been a big depressing news. How do the armed forces deal with such losses?

The Pulwama attack caused great human loss but in a low intensity conflict of an unprecedented scale such incidents are unavoidable especially in an area where local population is hostile to security forces on religious grounds. Security forces always remain prepared to face such situations at all given times. Future tactical operations do get disrupted due to new tactical deployments dictated by such bigger incidents. Armed forces and their personnel are psychologically tuned to face such situations in a conflict zone.

MT: Balakot was a game changer since we attacked a position in Pakistan proper (not in POJK). This was the government's way of upping the ante. The government termed the strikes as 'non-military pre-emptive action' in an attempt to separate it out from the traditional classification of counter-value and counter-force. How did you view it?

Balakot was indeed a game changer in Indo-Pak relations vis-à-vis nature of armed conflict we used to witness in past on LoC or elsewhere on international boundary. India in the past never ever violated even the LoC to get into POJK which is its own territory what to talk of penetrating deep inside Pak territory. Balakot is part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which was earlier federally administered tribal area (FATA). India for the first time in the history of military operations carried out an aerial surgical strike to target terrorist launch pads located well within Pak territory. We have changed our military as well as strategic doctrine to suit the present Jihadi war which is well hidden behind deniability due to its asymmetric nature.

The Indian government also played its diplomatic role well by terming this operation as ‘non-military pre-emptive action’ to avoid international criticism of violating sanctity of International boundary. The present time as such is against the Islamic terrorism which is sponsored by Pakistan on larger scale against India. India must be more pro-active in carrying out such pre-emptive non-military actions frequently to make harbouring Jihadis a costly proposition for Pakistani security establishments.

MT: Following India’s audacious Balakot strikes, Pakistan had a loss of face and was expected to retaliate. But a day-light operation by Pakistan Air Force across the LOC, and just dropping bombs on empty spaces was a very ill-thought response. The defence shown by IAF to safeguard our skies was commendable and is now well known. Did you expect them to attack that quickly and that brazenly?

The Balakot Air strike for Pakistan was unimaginable in all aspects especially after Pakistanis acquired nuclear capabilities. Pakistan security establishment was humiliated in the eyes of Pakistani civilians who are made to believe that their armed forces are invincible as far as Hindu India is concerned. Pakistani counter offensive was very much anticipated to save its face in front of Pakistani public. But Pakistani response was just a half-hearted response which failed miserably with loss of their one F-16 which was shot by IAF’s MIG-21 Bison piloted by Wing commander Abhinandan Varthman near LoC. Moreover, Pakistanis always fear escalating situation to an extent which may result in a conventional war which is not in their favour.

MT: In the dog-fight between MiG-21 bison flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and Pakistan’s F-16, MiG 21 was reported to have downed the more sophisticated F-16. India presented irrefutable evidence to back its assertions. But the episode of F-16 being shot down still remains a major sticking point? Can you please elaborate.

Shooting down of F-16 by a MIG-21 Bison will always remain a valuable lesson in military history due to the nature of task performed which was near impossible till then. With all controversies surrounding this episode it remains a fact that this impossible was done by our determined and highly trained pilot Wing commander Abhinandan Varthman, for his unprecedented gallantry he has been awarded Vir Chakra by President of India. The shooting of F-16 is an established fact which has been corroborated by various establishments of India as well as other friendly nations.

MT: Depleting squadron strength has been a major cause of concern in the recent past. The retaliatory strikes post Balakot incident and the looming prospect of two front war (now) necessitated the need for having a robust framework to address this issue. What according to you, must be government’s long-term plan to have a requisite squadron strength?

India which is still lacking in high end defence technology and mostly depends on importing its military hardware from various countries. Defence deals have always been source of largescale corruptions and scandals, therefore, have been avoided by past regimes which resulted in depletion of fighter squadrons. Thus, compromising the security of nation in long term. The ‘Make in India’ initiative by Indian government is only answer to our futuristic defence requirements and self-reliance. With present defence acquisition of multi role aircrafts, Rafale and attack helicopters Apache and various transport aircrafts and helicopters we will be able to sufficiently build our squadron strength to desired level in next five years.

MT: Balakot airstrikes which happened just two months prior to general elections were meted out with a range of criticism from opposition parties. Some even doubted the efficacy of the surgical strikes on Balakot. Was this reaction from the opposition expected?

The reaction of opposition in Indian democracy in the present times has become not only unethical but also inimical. Doubting the efficacy of surgical strikes was fundamentally not understanding the scope of this strategic operation and the change of Indian doctrine to deal with Pakistan. Pakistan was emboldened after going nuclear in 1998 and never expected India to retaliate in this manner. The Pakistani Jihadi hybrid low cost war imposed on India was thus responded well. Indian opposition has to be more responsive while dealing with issues which concern our national security.

MT: As news of Wing Commander Abhinandan's capture went viral, the Indian media ran hashtags, 'come back safe Abhinandan' and 'government, bring back Abhinandan'. How did you view this? At a personal level, it should be comforting for you to see over 1.3 billion voices praying for a safe come back. But at a national level, it was still a mission in progress. Our pilot was still in the custody of the enemy. Do you think such emotional outbursts from the general public harms the attempts by the government rather than strengthening their resolve?

The news of capture of Wing commander Abhinandan going viral along with videos showing him being beaten up by Pakistan Army and civilians was very much disturbing which caused nationwide emotional outbursts. Complete episode of Balakot surgical Air strike and shooting down of F-16 was forgotten. Public mood was changed to a different direction and this is exactly what Pakistani security establishment wanted to happen. The topics of television debates changed immediately. The Indian government from offensive became defensive in no time. The leakage of videos of Abhinandan in enemy captivity were intentional by ISPR division of Pak Army to mobilise Indian public opinion against its government so that they can bargain more on various security issues. This was also part of hybrid warfare well played by Pakistanis with help of our irresponsible media and opposition.

MT: The equanimity and poise displayed by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthman was worth emulating. It speaks volumes of the splendid training imparted to our security personnel. Can you please shed more light on the training that goes in preparing professional and fearless personnel?

Wing commander Abhinandan is an ex-NDA (National Defence Academy), a tri services training academy which trains cadet officers of Army, Navy and Air force. The tough training imparted at NDA and at later Training Academies gives one mental robustness to face such challenges during war if one is captured alive by enemy.

MT: Pakistan has been waging an asymmetric war against India for decades. Stepping up the anti-India game plan, Pakistan is now resorting to Hybrid warfare. How are Indian Forces gearing up to counter Pakistan’s nefarious strategy?

Pakistan, which was born out of religious ideology of separatism will always be a threat to peace and harmony in South Asia. Indian Muslims chose to have their independent Islamic nation since Islam is a nation in itself and they cannot live with non-Muslims. This ideology of political Islam has been the root cause of all conflicts between India and Pakistan. The Pakistani doctrine of bleeding India by thousand cuts has been cost effective through its jihadi terror network in various parts of India, particularly in Kashmir where Muslims are majority. The hybrid war through radicalised Indian Muslims becomes easier for ISI. Terror groups like SIMI (Student Islamic Movement of India) and IM (Indian Mujahideen) were all created by Pakistan intelligence agency ISI to wage war against Indian government and to also incite riots against Hindus. The recent anti-CAA protests followed by communal riots were all handiwork of ISI as part of hybrid warfare against India. Future Jihad is this only. Cyber war, counterfeit currency, gun running and drug peddling will be part of this Pakistani hybrid war.

Indian forces have been handling this threat at the tactical level only but to address this at higher pedestal we need to have a change in our security doctrine. We need to recognise Islamic terrorism as a threat in its various forms to India. We need to address the emanating security challenges from future Jihad within and outside. We need to understand Pakistan as an Islamic separatist ideology.        

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