The 26^th day of February, 2019, will remain an eventful day in the history of India’s war against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The Indian Air Strikes on Terror Camps deep inside Pakistan (at Balakot in Khyber Pakthunwala province, Muzaffrabad and Chakoti in the POK) has left more than 350 terrorists dead. With about 25 top Jaish-e-Mohammed commanders killed in the air strike, India has avenged not just Pulwama, but also many attacks it suffered right from Kandahar Hijack episode back in 1999.

THE MAJOR TAKEAWAYS

The Rise of A New India

For years since the start of Pakistan’s proxy war to bleed India by thousand cuts, our political leadership seemed unsuited and afraid to take decisive steps to go after terror commanders and those supporting them. I still feel the humiliation when we were not able even to raise a finger against the Pakistanis in the aftermath of 26/11, not due to the lack of our ability, but only due to the absence of political will. The first signs of change came in September 2016 when our army, on the orders of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, conducted surgical strikes across LoC response to the Uri attack , but this was certainly several notches higher.

Hitting at the Head is The New Normal

It is the leaders who have to be taken out for winning the war against a diabolic enemy. For long, the terror leaders and masterminds in Pakistan were able to execute attacks the place and time of their choosing without any fear of retaliation. But with this airstrike wiping out chunk of Jaish-e-Mohammed leadership at Balakot which was indeed described as Command & Control Centre of not just JeM, but also a centre which housed Lashkar and Hizbul groups, India has sent the message loud and clear.

“We will hit at you at the place and time of our choosing. And we will hit at the Top..”

Pakistan is going to learn the lesson only the hard way

It would be foolhardy on our side to believe that Pakistan is going to mend its ways after one or two surgical strikes. The futile attempt of Pakistani Air Force to intrude into our airspace, promptly repulsed by the IAF clearly underlines this fact. Pakistan’s desperate attempts to conciliate its citizens and jihadi groups clearly points to the fact that we always need to be on the vigil. Even with the Pakis literally begging for peace talks need to be observed carefully.

India needs to be and is ready further ready for escalation

Completely humiliated by Indian Air Strike, Pakistan has upped the ante across the border with heavy firing across Line of Control. Pakistani F-16s which intruded into the Indian airspace in Naushera sector were intercepted with one shot down by MIG-21 Bisons and SU-30s. Notwithstanding sad fact that Wing Commander Abhinandan’s MIG-21 which shot down the Pak F-16 was brought down by the Pak ground fire and he is now reported to be in Pak custody, Indian forces are on the vigil and is retaliating strongly as not seen before to Pak provocations. This clearly means that India needs to be vigilant and am sure that we will not back down.

We have won a great victory. But this is going to be a long struggle. Be vigilant and united. And get ready to serve our Mother India with our bodies, minds and wealth. Let us be ready for any eventuality and support the government and our Prime Minister to the fullest.

A concerned Indian...

Bharat Mata Ki Jai...