BOOM September Issue | Page 20

ARTICLE Revival of 1965’s spirit A s expected and feared by India watchers after last year’s electoral victory by BJP, India under Modi is well poised on a collision course with Pakistan, reinforcing his antiMuslim and anti-Pakistan credentials. There are very strong portents to suggest that India is working on a well conceived plan to harm Pakistan economically and militarily. The overt and covert efforts by India to sabotage the implementation of CPEC on the diplomatic level and through RAW-sponsored terrorist acts with Pakistan, efforts to scuttle the new-found bonhomie between Pakistan and Afghanistan through its agents and contacts in Afghanistan, pursuance of anti-Pakistan diplomatic initiative in the gulf countries, repeated violations of the LOC and the working boundary and bellicose blustering by the Indian leaders about teaching Pakistan a lesson and sabotaging the talks between Security Advisers are signs of Indias hegemonic designs. The façade of talks with Pakistan is actually being used as a smoke screen to hoodwink the international community by portraying Pakistan as an un-willing partner in promoting regional peace. Some circles see these machinations may a prelude to preparing ground for possibly a limited military adventure against Pakistan; a policy option that reportedly has been resonating in Indian military circles ever since Modi government has been installed. On the internal front efforts are also on the anvil to build war-hysteria against Pakistan. The Modi government probably feels that Pakistan at the moment was most vulnerable due its military being engaged in operation Zarb-e-Azb, fighting terrorism and insurgency throughout the country and minding the Pak-Afghan border. The Indian military strategists and the Indian government seem under the illusion that it was an appropriate time to prove their ascendency in military prowess and forcing Pakistan into accepting the Indian hegemony in the region.The Indian leadership is in complete disconnect with the ground realities, the military might of Pakistan and the preparedness and capability of its armed forces to defend the motherland against any external aggression. They proved their credentials in 1965 war. Pakistan is now a nuclear power and its defense forces are far better equipped to deal with any eventuality. International defense analysts are of the considered view that in case of a military confrontation between the two countries, India would be biggest loser. India while entertaining any thought of military aggression against Pakistan must not forget the lessons of 1965 war and the faith-driven valour of the armed forces of Pakistan and the sons of the soil, who through their heroic and awe-inspiring gallantry thwarted her evil designs.Perhaps a brief account of the 1965 war would remind the Indians what would be in store for them 50 years down the line if they ever dared to take a plunge into military confrontation with Pakistan as well as to refresh the memories of the people who witnessed the military confrontation between the two countries. When India launched full-fledged attack against Pakistan on 6th of September and crossed the international borders after its army suffered incessant set-backs in the fight in Jammu and Kashmir—- with an avowed aim of capturing Lahore, it met with unprecedented resistance by the Pakistan Army. The Indian forces could not go beyond BRB canal despite having superiority in military might and military hardware at its dispos- al. Their repeated assaults were beaten back and for the rest of the duration of war and they were forced to back-off; thanks to the unrivalled bravery of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Nishane-Haider and the men under his command. Pakistan Army not only d Y