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'Pakistan is close to becoming a failed nation'
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Fri, 28 May 1999 10:06:25 -0700 Let's get our house in order We Indians in America are deeply hurt and alarmed at the number of casualties that the Indian armed forces are suffering in the conflict. It is high time that we do some retrospection and bring our house in order. There is too much of politics in Indian life that we forget rest of the things and when they get worse we blame each other for failure. If it had been America, even the loss of one life would have jolted them. What we lack is effective planning and a fight to finish attitude. Right from the word go everything went wrong. First, the intelligence failure. Second, the loss of so many army men. This made them realise that it was not possible to tackle these infiltrators just on the ground. Now under estimating the infiltrators led to the loss of men and aircraft. The "sacrificial and tolerant" nature of Indians has led them to accept defeat whether in cricket or any other place. Srikant Noorani
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Fri, 28 May 1999 10:27:23 -0700 Who cares what happened before taking the decision, the important thing is that the right decision is taken or not. This is not a right time to publish such articles, after the whole episode is over, you will have all the space and time to probe the whole thing. Anyway, the Cabinet's decision is always collective, and they have all the rights to discuss it in the meeting. Different participants will have their own analysis, concerns, and views, but eventually they decide after discussing the pros and cons of the situation. The right decision was taken to defend the territorial integrity of India, and that should be appreciated. We have lost many brave jawans and pilots, in achieving our goal, and we should stick with there families and our country as a whole. If the decision taken is wrong and adventurous, then you ought to write and debate it, not whether one member in the Cabinet had a different view. And that too, NOT a view which goes against India. I request you to be more rational and prudent, in publishing the articles. Sanjay
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Fri, 28 May 1999 18:52:04 +0100 Congratulations for the attempt to bring the truth about the Kashmir issue to your readers. I would like to refer you to J N Dixit's excellent book for a discussion on this issue. What is surprising is that India has allowed this issue to get totally out of hand. For this Nehru is squarely to blame. (He is also to blame for the loss of territory to China and the ensuing humiliation in battle). Our politicians have been very poor negotiators and spineless leaders. This issue should have been sorted out ages ago by firm military action. Our handling of the issue in the international fora has also been pathetic. Basically, we have been defensive instead of being assertive. No wonder people like Robin Raphael can go about trying to question the instrument of accession. India is paying with the lives of its citizens and soldiers for the cowardice and foolishness of Nehru. It is time we took decisive action. I'm not sure if this is do-able now, but carpet bombing the place when Jagmohan was sending civilians out of Kashmir would have been a perfect solution. Even now, India has a chance -- I hope this lot of leaders will not let us down the way Nehru did. There are people sitting in Delhi who argue for peace -- but where is the option when Pakistanis, and now also Afghans, are killing Indians and creating terror in the country? Peace can only come when Pakistan is totally humbled. Ruchira Raghav
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Fri, 28 May 1999 12:07:55 -0700 George Iype, This was a very informative account on the Kashmir casualty issue. All such figures just makes the situation more clear to indicate to the general public that all is not well in Kashmir, and that it's time to start thinking that 10 years has been quite a long time for such terrorism. Even now, most of the general public regard Kashmir as a place of just another tourist attraction that has been ruined. But now we all have to make an effort in putting the situation right, not only for the sake of our national security but for the inhabitants of Kashmir who have been undergoing such immense pressures from terrorism as well as the military presence in their area. Such accounts are very welcome, instead of some articles that I read in Rediff a couple of days back that speculated if the latest skirmish was not the BJP's 'Wag the Dog' strategy. Bashobi Roy
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Fri, 28 May 1999 15:54:23 -0400 The loss was unacceptable The prime minister was told by the service chiefs that "the loss was within the acceptable limits" in such operations. They also assured him that there was no need for "panic or worry" about the operation. See other countries, in such a no-war situation -- they cannot afford to lose a single life. In US, they go all over the world to fight and EVERYBODY comes back home.
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Fri, 28 May 1999 16:31:42 -0400 Indian planners are professionals in the state of art and know better how to deal with this lapse of security. Indians wanted to surprise Pakistan by an air attack, but the latter proved that they cannot be bullied. It has been known for decades that Pak militants have Stingers. It is ridiculous on the part of our defence experts to send low flying planes as sitting ducks for the Pakis. India has already lost her credibility in the Kargil fiasco. Laser guided precision bombing is the only answer to this type of problem. I read in newspapers that NATO did not try a similar thing in Yugoslavia because of the same reason. I am a layman as far as war and precision bombing is concerned, but why couldn't Indian experts foresee such a problem and import advanced and sophisticated equipment, after all the Kashmir problem is a decade old story? In order to contain Pakistan, India has to have better technology. She can't afford to play with the lives of the army/air force who are putting their lives at the alter of country. To summarise: Get precision laser guided weapons. Low flying air attack in this type of war is a sure disaster. Sukhoi planes will also be useless without precision bombing technology. In order to subdue militant bases which are providing them fire, cover should be wiped out without second thought. even if it means crossing the lOC. Can you imagine someone shooting planes /or grabbing some land from China and going scot free? Any country aiding and abetting terrorism should be punished. India should shed timidity and do something bold. In the Kargil sector moving a little ahead to achieve a strategically important post will be worthwhile as India has already sacrificed three planes and the lives of hundreds of men. The whole world knows what the Pakis are, nobody is going to interfere. Kindly do not repeat the follies of Shastri in giving strategic posts back. This is not satyug but kalyug. There has to be a radical change in the use of nukes. Like France, India should maintain the first use of nukes because dead men tell no tales. Talks with Pakis is already a fluke. If you feel the Pakis want to just internationalise this issue you are wrong they did that for last 10 years. It is clear they want to grab the land forcefully. Lastly, those politicians in New Delhi should decide faster, lest Pak wipes us out. Naveen Saraf
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Sat, 29 May 1999 10:15:46 -0400 There can be no question, in the light of conflicting reports from the Pakistan army, that they were reluctant to return the body, as the officer was killed after he landed in Pak occupied territory. He was apparently killed by bullets by the 'intruders', before senior army officers from Pak Army noted the crime. No wonder they were reluctant to hand over the body with this proof. The question now is no more, how the officer was murdered by Pakistanis, but what action needs to be taken against Pakistan, and those guilty of this heinous crime, and the violation of international law. Irrespective of what the Government of India does, due to political or other constraints at present, it is the duty of the media, to openly question Pakistani action in the court of world opinion. Will the media, so anxious to project itself abroad, sometimes against their own countrymen, now play their proper role? This is testing time, not just for the government, but the English language media. Will they be up to it?
Rajendra Kumar Ahharwala
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Sat, 29 May 1999 20:53:34 +0530 A well balanced report. It clearly shows this government is simply incapable of handling this emergency. They are swift in removing admirals, but are still hog tying the armed forces in their valiant efforts to fight the insurgency. A foreign born but patriotic Sonia Gandhi would do a better job than these misfits. N M Patel
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Sat, 29 May 1999 23:39:53 +0300 I am working abroad and find Rediff one of the interesting ways to keep in touch. I am worried about and proud of our soldiers. Two points: 1. Why do planes suffer from engine trouble? This is not the first time the quality of our planes have been under fire. Accidents are routine. Please give us an in-depth report on this. Are our planes not up to the mark and are our brave soldiers being put at risk instead of getting the best possible support. 2. Why is it necessary to say that Nachiketa belongs to a Brahmin family? I am a Brahmin and come from a defence background. I would like to state proudly that the forces are our most secular institution. Don't do this. Nandini
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Sat, 29 May 1999 10:47:29 -1000 Your news arrives faster than CNN and Doordarshan. Probably the best Indian site on the web.
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Sat, 29 May 1999 14:04:08 -0700 India needs to evaluate Sharief's offer with a great deal of caution. For two reasons. One, it is not clear whether Sharief is calling all the shots in Pakistan today. Two, Sharief must have realised that the world no longer believes his assertion that the intruders are genuine freedom fighters. Or else how could they come to posses such advanced and lethal weaponry. India should not let go of this opportunity to emphatically assert its right and capability to defend its land. The government must get aggressive on the diplomatic front to mobilise world opinion that the Pakistan army is dangerously mischievous and lacks accountability to its elected government. Pakistan is close to becoming a failed nation. This would wake the world up, especially a complacent Pakistani populace to tame the rouge army. As for India, it should use the opportunity to have a comprehensive and permanent settlement of the Kashmir problem; a solution that will not be questioned by any agency regional or international hereafter.
Raghu Bagalwadi
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Sun, 30 May 1999 03:41:19 +0530 It is Rediff news which keeps us abreast with the latest, although we are miles away. The reporting is good and we enjoy reading it. Sudhanshu and Karishma Swadia
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Sat, 29 May 1999 19:49:34 -0500 The Pakistan government should not in any way maltreat our hero Nachiketa. The Pakistan government should not forget that very good and honourable treatments was given to nearly one lakh Pakistani soldiers captured by India during the Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. India did not hand over the captured soldiers to the Bangladesh freedom fighters. If she did, no one knows what would have been the fate of those soldiers who brutally killed so many people in Bangladesh in 1971. We fervently hope that by God's grace Nachiketa will be returned safely to India.
Kumar
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Sat, 29 May 1999 21:41:43 -0400 I think the Pak army is in control and is calling the shots. They are probably even outside Nawaz Sharief's control, though he would not admit it. The combined Chinese and Pak movements are more dangerous than a single Pak infiltration issue. A S Mahapatra
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Sun, 30 May 1999 09:00:41 +0530 Please pass this one to the Indian army chief: This is an excellent decision although it comes a little late. I also feel that we need to use a lot more chemical and biological weapons for this unconventional warfare. We also need to drop a few nerve gas flasks in higher altitudes and effectively finish off the intruders. We must also tie up with Sikorsky for supplying the latest assault helicopters and do away with the primitive Vijay. We should not risk paratroopers unless the infiltrators are softened considerably. The air strikes with napalm and nerve gas should continue for a week and ensure complete annihilation of life before we drop paratroopers for cleaning pockets of resistance. I also fail to understand why the Indian space research is so primitive. We have to launch satellites capable for detecting intruders and destroying enemy bunkers using high intensity laser guns. Instead of committing army personnel to do the job, we need to prove technological superiority to tackle the crisis. With love to our jawans and salutations to Squadron Leader Ahuja. Ramesh Sreedhar
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Fri, 28 May 1999 13:53:29 -0500 These guerillas are equipped with snowmobiles and heavy artillery, the Indians say, and they are being stocked by helicopters. To drop off the supplies, don't the helicopters need to come into Indian territory. Isn't that a violation of air space? Prashant
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Fri, 28 May 1999 17:45:01 -0400 One wonders why the MEA in GOI takes such steps to convince the foreign diplomats that "the operation is entirely within the Indian side of the Line of Control." This situation is in sharp contrast to the handling of such sensitive issues by the American defence/government. There is enough and ample evidence that Pakistan (government/army) has knowledge of such intrusions by the militants, who could be either Pak Army regulars in disguise and/or Afghan and Arab mercenaries abetted by ISI. The news items at http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_353000/353352.stm, http://www.kashmir-information.com/Terrorism/TerrUS98.html, and http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/290599/detFRO04.htm all speak of Pakistan's involvement and the scale of the operation to be mounted against such militants by our Indian defence forces. The MEA must come out of its shell and boldly declare that should steps require action by Indian forces to strike into Pak area, they will do so and all the consequences shall be borne by Pakistan only. There must be frank, forthcoming statements on such national issues. The time has come to put Pakistan in its right place - out of this world map.
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Sat, 29 May 1999 04:08:11 +0530 Thanks for this report. It is amazing to know that Indian generals think the loss of three aircraft is minimal and acceptable. In three days they lost three planes, and they are saying it is acceptable? It is difficult to understand their thinking. But it is definitely a shame to lose three aircraft in such a small operation in three days. Prabhjot
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Fri, 28 May 1999 18:35:40 -0500 I have been regularly reading Rediff news for the last four months. I feel Rediff has been transmitting comprehensive, politically unbiased information for all the important events, political situation, social changes in a very effective manner. We get a complete and clear picture of the event, which even few of the newspapers have not achieved. For this reason, I must have shared the information on your net news with at least 90 to 100 individuals. Let me congratulate your dynamic team, which is dedicated to producing information of a different class.
Pravin Fulay
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Sat, 29 May 1999 00:54:36 +0100 Reading these articles have made me think about the irony of this war. We are seeing similar assaults in two parts of the world. One such assault is in Kosovo and the other is in our very own Kashmir, and in both places numerous people have lost their lives. We read the news about these people and we hear the so called 'keepers of peace' say that this loss of life is inevitable. But I think I echo the sentiments of thousands other Indians and Kosovars in saying that the loss of life is not a matter to be disposed off with a few press releases. We all know what we go through when we lose someone we care for. There should be some thought given towards eliminating the loss of life in these conflicts. Pramod Mahadevan
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Fri, 28 May 1999 21:21:28 -0500 We here in the USA fully support the air strikes by the IAF. Since its creation as an Islamic state, Pakistan has been a thorn in India's effort for peace and progress. India's Western front in under attack again, by the origins of the same people who were once Indians themselves. Indian forces should settle the score once and for all, so that the designs of Islamic Pakistan are settled forever.
Vikas Sharma
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Sat, 29 May 1999 00:57:02 -0500 Your articles are extremely biased and only reveal the imaginative and false propaganda of the pathetic Indian army. Pakistan will gladly accept the bodies of the freedom fighters, not because they are local jawans or Taliban but because they are our Muslim brethren. They are part of us, anyone who calls themself Muslim is our brother. It just shows the lack of skills, coordination and incompetence of the Indian army that to tackle merely 1,700 Mujahideens -- that there are 600,000 men deployed. Despite this big number, for the past 10 years they have failed to effectively deal with this situation. The Indian army is so ineffective and unprofessional that they have a different story every day that is published on your site without any confirmation. Where General J J Singh cannot seem to guess the actual number of Mujahideen alive and dead. If there were 400 by now that should all be dead as claimed by the IAF, but later the number became 600. He said we will eliminate them in as couple of days then it became weeks and now months. Just imagine if 400 to 600 can cause such pain then what will 540,000 do? When your reporters go to Kashmir rather then hanging with the military, they should actually go and truthfully interview the people of Kashmir. You will then know how much the word India is hated over there. In fact go to BBC's web site and watch the AVI in which an Indian colonel is hunting Mujahideen and ends up in Kupwara, where people ask him whether this was the Pak army with smiles on their faces. If your government is secular or the largest democracy in the world as claimed, then hold a referendum under international watch and let's see what happens. Let the power of people speak. I challenge the Indian government.
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Mon, 31 May 1999 22:21:00 +0530 It's only when it happens so close to you that you really realise the true implications of what an actual war would probably feel like. Makes one feel helpless, while our brave pilots and their families are fighting it out!
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