Priyanka Tiwari
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36 hours after Pahalgam’s Baisaran region suffered a terror attack claiming 26 lives, India took forceful actions against Pakistan. These measures included the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty along with ceasing the issuance of visas to Pakistani citizens with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals currently in India have been instructed to vacate the country in the next 48 hours.
A Change in Tactics from India
Since Prime Minister Modi came into power, there seems to be a new pattern of behaviors among Indian experts monitoring its relationship with Pakistan and considering India’s border-based terrorism responses. From carrying out surgical strikes post the Uri attack to the more recently notable Balakot air strike after Pulwama; India has increasingly been more straightforward in its approaches without leaving room for ambiguity that could often be exploited diplomatically or otherwise.
Army-Centric and Diplomatic Stance: Lt Gen DS Hooda Shares His Thoughts
In an exclusive interview with Shamsher Chandel, Lt Gen DS Hooda, the ex Northern Army Commander, expressed his views on India’s alternatives after the Pahalgam attack. He pointed out that military options are available alongside a weak diplomatic front, especially under strained relations.
“Military action can certainly be taken. But the specifics require extensive groundwork,” Hooda said while claiming that the limited economic sanctions available would hardly make an impact because the ties between the two countries are tenuous at best.
Can Pakistan Be Isolated on the Global Stage?
As Hooda mentions, India has historically attempted to diplomatically isolate Pakistan by attempting to label certain terror affiliates as world terrorists. These efforts were frequently thwarted by China at the UN. Even so, Pakistan’s standing continues to be monitored and Pakistan’s reputation in the diplomatic community does not seem to improve.
Intelligence Gaps and Tactical Execution
One of the gaps acknowledged by Hooda is an intelligence one and in more so light of earlier comments made by the J&K Police regarding greater infiltration suggest that there was some local backing enabling the incident. In his words, it was in fact an “elaborate operation” which was planned and executed with tactical precision regarding the vulnerabilities present on the Baisaran trail.
Impact on Tourism and Local Sentiment
The incident has also sparked fresh alarms regarding the protection of tourists visiting the Valley. Incidents like this are damaging to public sentiment and the tourism industry even though there had been a reduction in violence in recent years. “The locals are the ones who protested because, as I said, it is the local economy that drives tourism,” Hooda said. As he asserts, such actions are detrimental to the local populace as well as to their objectives.
