Line Of Control (LOC)

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  • Assessing Pakistan’s Transgression on the Line of Control

    The declining domestic standing of the Pakistan Army is likely to be bolstered through military tensions on the LoC, social upheaval in Jammu & Kashmir and religious hysteria within Pakistan as a prelude to adopting a more proactive role in Kashmir.

    January 16, 2013

    A Siachen Resolution: Why Now?

    India should put Pakistan on parole and watch its behaviour for 20 years before even beginning to think of any concessions in Siachen or elsewhere.

    November 08, 2012

    Abhishek M Chuaudhari asked: Are surgical strikes against terrorist camps across LoC recommendable? Does India have such real time actionable intelligence?

    Anit Mukherjee replies: Surgical strikes across the LoC could mean use of one of the two options - air strikes or raid by Special Forces. Both options, however, are problematic - from a diplomatic and military perspective. First, surgical strikes would be viewed by the neighboring country as an attack on its sovereignty and may lead to a military response. It is not clear how the violence would then be maintained to lower levels given the danger of possible escalation. Second, such strikes would under most of the circumstances not be viewed favorably by the international community, and may lead to diplomatic isolation. However, much depends on the circumstances and the nature and impact of the triggering event.

    Even if, for the sake of an argument, one were to assume that there are justifiable grounds for exercising such an option (say a horrific terrorist attack that can be traced back to elements across the border), major problems pertaining intelligence and targets remain. As rightly suggested, the 'real time actionable intelligence' is very difficult as terror camps can consist of nothing more than rudimentary tents in jungles. Hence it’s difficult without constant surveillance and/or Humint to obtain the precise coordinates to conduct such strikes. It is not known whether India has such capabilities. Finally, India and Pakistan are trying once again to give talks a chance with the expectation that the Islamist terrorist groups are forever shut down. Of course, it’s not entirely known whether this will happen. In sum, while no option should be taken off the table in statecraft, surgical strikes under current conditions appear to be a remote possibility.

    Violations of Ceasefire on the Line of Control: Unravelling Pakistan’s Motive

    While addressing the customary press conference after the Foreign Secretary level talks with Pakistan on July 21, 2008, the Indian Foreign Secretary stated that the India-Pakistan dialogue is “under stress” and Pakistan must address New Delhi’s concerns about cross-border terrorism. The talks were held in the shadow of the recent attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul, which, India alleges, had the involvement of “elements in Pakistan”. The Indian Foreign Secretary also admitted that the ongoing ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir has come under strain.

    July 23, 2008

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