In one of the most brazen assaults by terrorists on the Indian Army in recent times, four terrorists armed with AK-47s fitted with under-barrel grenade launchers and a big cache of grenades, attacked an Army battalion centre in Kashmir’s Uri on Sunday killing at least 18 soldiers from the Bihar and Dogra Regiments and injuring about a score. Here’s more on the gruesome attack:
Pakistan’s response to Uri
Fearing surgical strikes by India following the Uri attack, Pakistan has started mobilisation of troops along the Line of Control and the International Border. Interestingly, mobilisation of troops by Pakistan is not just restricted to the northern sector in Jammu and Kashmir, but troop build-up has also been spotted along the western sector in Rajasthan.
How has India reacted
Under pressure to craft an “appropriate response” following one of the biggest terrorist attacks on the Indian Army in Uri on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conferred with the security and intelligence agencies to examine the possibility of a calibrated surgical strike on terror establishments close to the Line of Control. However, there has been no knee-jerk reaction, sources said.
Timeline of Uri attack
Minister admits to lapses
Admitting that there must have been “lapses” and blunders in Uri which led to the death of 18 soldiers at the hands of four terrorists inside an Army base on Sunday, Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Wednesday that he will ensure that this does not happen again.
How an officer took on Pakistan
First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Eenam Gambhir said the land of Taxila, one of the greatest learning centres of ancient times, “is now host to the Ivy League of terrorism” and attracts aspirants and apprentices from all over the world.
DC Take
It is not for the first time that India has bled because of Pakistan. Time and again Pakistan has stabbed India in its back. While on one hand it ceaselessly describes itself as a victim of terrorism, on the other it shamelessly harbours terrorist elements because of which the peace and stability of the entire region is at stake.
However, the response by India after Uri attack has been worth appreciating. It has not only succeeded in “isolating” Pakistan on most of the global fora, but also has made it amply clear that it reserves the right to hit back at a time and manner of its choosing.
Also, it has issued a veiled threat to Pakistan regarding the Indus Water Treaty issue by saying that “mutual trust and goodwill” is the basis of the agreement.
It is high time that Pakistan took the warnings seriously, especially after the European Union too said that it may consider sanctions against it.
