‘India planning covert strikes in Pakistan’

Reluctance to wage war with an ill-equipped Army could have dictated India’s decision not to attack Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack. However, a framework for covert operations is being put in place, according to a news report carried by the Hong Kong-based Asia Times Online.

According to the report — ‘Indian Army backed out of Pakistan attack’ — filed by an Indian journalist, Siddharth Srivastava, the Army told the Indian government that its arsenal was inadequate for waging a war. The Navy and Air Force, however, were prepared to carry out an attack and repulse retaliation from Pakistan.

The report stated that several closed-door meetings between top military commanders and political leaders were held to discuss the poor state of armoury. “According to senior officials, India’s top military and political leadership looked at two options — war and hot pursuit. While, war was rejected, hot pursuit remained a viable option.”

The Asia Times claimed that a framework for covert operations is being put in place, although India will continue to deny such actions. “Crack naval, air and army forces backed by federal intelligence agencies will be involved in the covert operations. The target areas will be Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and areas along Punjab such as Multan, from where some of the 26/11 attackers were allegedly recruited. The coastal belt from Karachi to Gwadar in Baluchistan will be under Indian surveillance,” the
report added.