The lack of understanding about military matters amongst our so called strategic experts community is shocking, if not deplorable.
- I mean, what you mean by keeping a range of options ready to strike swiftly?
- How 'swiftly' is swift enough?
- Second, what is such a swift option expected to achieve? That you've slapped me, and I' slapping you back? And what if he slaps back, again?
- Is the Indian response expected to achieve something tangible or meant only for consumption of the masses?
- Also, all the plans made in advance would've been made assuming certain conditions.
- It is very likely that the same set of conditions don't exist when a situation arises and they need to be modified or the plans changed completely.
- When we did the Surgical Strike and the Balakot air attack, the objective was two fold - first, to inflict pain on the enemy but much more importantly, to declare out intent to retaliate as per our choice in a manner in which we desire.
- What happens in Kashmir was no longer going to be restricted to Kashmir and tit-for-tat cross border raid.
- Also, it should be common sense that when the Pakistanis decided to perpetrate the Pahalgam Hindu massacre, they would've gamed Indian response and already taken certain precautions.
- Pakistanis would've kept their options ready even before the first shot was fired in Pahalgam.
- THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL - If we're to ensure that Pakistan does not repeat such a horrendous act again, the response from our side will have to cause a tremendous pain on Pakistan and its decision makers.
- It is obvious by now that such a response is going to be multi-pronged and a mix of measures, with military retaliation being one component.
- Any substantial military option will require that India be ready to move up the escalation ladder and also be able to control the escalation.
- Which further means that the GOI will have cover all the bases and be ready for any eventuality.
- Don't fall for such hottakes. He doesn't have to bother about the economic impact of military action, price of petrol and diesel and vegetables and fruits and grocery and jobs. GOI has to before it does anything.