Lines being crossed (Why India did not attack post 26/11)

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 Lines being crossed (Why India did not attack post 26/11)

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• Pulwama and Balakot, 2019 : The dastardly attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama was a message by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) that they were taking things to a higher level. India retaliated aggressively, using Mirage 2000 jets (Mach 2.2) carrying precision-guided missiles. Sukhoi Su-30MKI were standing by (in addition to other assets).
• A whole new level : This aggression changes the post-1971 response level of India towards Pak-based terror. We recall 1971 when Pak was cut into two, and 1998 when both nations declared themselves nuclear powers.
• The 1971-1998 period : This was marked by USSR's retreat from Afghanistan, and the rise of "Afghan jihad". That created Islamist violence across this region, and led to the rie of Al-Qaeda of Osama bin Laden. It pushed a more radical militancy in Kashmir.
• Taliban and Pakistan : Pak ensured it gained control over the Taliban in Afghanistan, which became all-powerful in Afghanistan. Pak used recruits from there to push militancy in Kashmir.
• A long training before Pulwama : All available evidence, and the pattern of attack, indicates that the suicide attacker Adil Ahmad Dar was trained by Pakistani handlers for many months.
• India's response : No doubt, deployment of air power by India escalated the situation to a higher level. While India used the term "non-military pre-emptive strike", the reality remains it was a military strike. It is clear that no amount of global criticism of Pulwama will deter Pak from retaliating.
• The Westphalian Order : The treaty of Westphalia governs the international relationship between nations, holding together a global order, and maintaining peace. The key principle is that "any violation of the territory of another country, from land or air or sea, irrespective of the degree of provocation, is considered an act of war".
• Russia versus the West : Despite the Russian annexation of Crimea, and its alleged involvement in US elections 2016, no Western nation has directly engaged Russia militarily so far.
• Dilemma after 26/11 : The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) attacked Mumbai in November 2008, killing nearly 170 people. Many actions were contemplated at that time, including that of crossing the LoC to attack terror camps, and were finally given up.
• Why so? It was keenly felt that India did not have the kind of expert Special Forces needed for the job of pinpointedly striking LeT or JeM headquarter. Other nations had it - Russia-Spetsnaz, Germany-GSG-9, US-SEALS, UK-SAS etc. An air strike too was not taken up as it would be seen as an act of war.
• Then and now : Now, we have attacked, and there is no looking back. It must be remembered that earlier our credibility came from not responding across the border on terror matters, and the world trusted us with the "no first use" on nuclear matters also. And we are in the process of trying to earn a UNSC permanent seat too.
• Summary : With the cross-border strikes at Balakot, India has taken a step with which there is no looking back.

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