ON the 25th anniversary of the commencement of Operation Vijay, I feel it's time to energise the national conscience and institutionalise memories of the eventful time. We are referring to the year 1999, when the Pakistan Army's ambitions, out of sync with reality and lacking any sense of military clarity, led it to a catastrophic military operation. This was an attempt to capture some Indian territory in the high-altitude district of Kargil to pressure the Indian Army to vacate Siachen glacier. It resulted in horrific casualties for both armies.
Such events tend to be forgotten by the following generations. Till an emotional connection exists, relatives and associates revel in the heroism of our resistance, the tenacious fight-back and unwillingness to give up an inch of national territory. Yet, we are notorious for harbouring convenient memories. A quarter century later, not many will recall the events of May to July 1999 and how India turned the tide after being initially surprised by the rogue Pakistani action.
There are lessons from Kargil and other such Pakistani misadventures that need to be enshrined in such a way that Pakistan never risks them again. Understanding our adversaries is the key. There are some characteristics which the Pakistan Army and its leadership possess that may never change; the Indian public needs to be aware of these. The Pakistan Army is an entity independent of civilian control. The generals govern without being in government, thus remaining shorn of responsibility for their actions. These actions may never be in consonance with national interests. They are often executed to satisfy personal ego and without 'thinking through' the full impact and implications of their actions.
Esta historia es de la edición May 14, 2024 de The Morning Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 14, 2024 de The Morning Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Akhilesh leads Oppn parleys against BJP
EVEN as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday staked claim to form the new government, the Opposition INDIA bloc said it will continue to hold parleys to build a stable formation to counter the BJP.
Rahul granted bail in defamation case
CONGRESS leader Rahul Gandhi appeared before a court in Bengaluru on Friday in connection with the defamation case filed against him. The 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Court granted him bail.
Naidu balancing act to form govt
TDP-led NDA wins 164 of 175 Assembly seats in Andhra, may take 25 MLAs/MLCs in cabinet
After debacle, BJP leaders question Annamalai strategy
AFTER the BJP drew a blank in the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu and at least 10 of its candidates came second, the internal rumblings in the party seem to have boiled over.
Nurses accuse GB Pant Hospital admin of irrational transfer, seek L-G's help
NURSING association in the city is seeking L-G VK Saxena intervention into the alleged misconduct by GB Pant Hospital administration.
Swati Maliwal case: Court rejects CM aide's bail plea
Bibhav Kumar, accused of assaulting RS MP, is under judicial custody
BJP will trounce AAP, win at least 55 seats in 2025 state polls: Bidhuri
A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced that it would contest the 2025 Delhi assembly elections on its own, the BJP MP-elect from South Delhi, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, on Friday said his party will win at least 55 seats regardless of whether the Congress and AAP are in alliance or not.
1,400 govt school students cracked NEET exam: Minister
Number of students is 2.5 times higher compared to 2020: Atishi
Fadnavis firm on resignation as DCM.close aide may replace him
AS Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is firm on his decision to resign taking responsibility for the NDA's poor performance in the state, BJP minister Girish Mahajan, a close aide of Fadnavis, is likely to be elevated as deputy CM in Eknath Shindeled government, sources said, adding the party leadership is yet to decide on it.
RAHUL PULLS UP MINISTERS FOR CONG POOR SHOW
RAhuL Gandhi on Friday expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s “dismal” performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka and sought a report from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar, according to sources.