Sansad TV Perspective: Balakot Airstrike

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: Balakot Airstrike

Anchor: Vishal Dahiya

Participants: 

1. Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Deependra Singh Hooda, Former GoC in C, Northern Command
2. Air Marshall (Retd.) Anil Khosla, Former Chief of the Air Staff. IAF
3. LT. GEN (Retd.) Vinod Bhatia, Former DGMO, Indian Army

Context: 

The Balakot Airstrike was conducted by the Indian Air Force with an objective to target the terror camps operating in the Balakot town of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region. This context raises several questions surrounding the security of the country which require an intervention by the experts to fetch a way forward to mitigate terror threats. 

The Background:

• In response to the Pulwama terrorist attack that killed 40 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) soldiers, the Indian Air Force along with its 12 Mirage 2000 fighter aircrafts carried out an operation against the terror outfit called Jaish-e-Mohammed. 
• According to sources, this intelligence-led operation was successful in the elimination of a large number of terrorists, senior commanders and trainers who were involved in cross border terrorism. 
• It was code-named as ‘Operation Bandar’ for the retention of secrecy. 
• The Balakot airstrike was the first time that India executed an upfront manoeuvre calling it a non-military pre-emptive action in the face of terror threats. 
• This conveyed a message to the world that India will not resort to a dialogue with Pakistan that is allegedly involved in encouraging terrorrism and failed to keep the promise of eliminating terror activities against India.
• India gathered enormous support from the international community.

Image Source: mapsofindia.com

What is a surgical strike?

• Surgical strike can be defined as a military attack that is executed to damage military targets with minimum collateral damage to the surroundings, public and infrastructure. 
• In 2016, the Indian Army conducted a surgical strike across the Line of Control in the Pakistan controlled area of Kashmir. This was in the wake of the infamous Uri attack which martyred 19 Indian soldiers. 
• The surgical strike was intended to control the infiltrations that were planned to disturb the peace and tranquillity of Jammu & Kashmir. 
• The surgical strike was publicly acknowledged by the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations). Despite this, there was a debate regarding the accuracy of the usage of the term surgical strike with respect to such military attack. 

Outcome of the airstrike:

• It has been reported that the Balakot airstrike led to a considerable reduction in infiltrations from across the border bringing down the cases of terror attacks. 
• The airstrike has been a determinant of India’s diplomatic acumen and military capability which has expanded further with the induction of the  Rafale Fighter Jet. 
• Therefore this marked a paradigm shift in India’s response to terror attacks adding a new essence to the defence policy of India. 

Steps taken by the government to strengthen the defence system:

• Incorporation of innovation and new technologies in the defence sector will be a potential weapon in fighting our adversaries. 
• In order to boost self reliance in defence manufacturing and production, the Union Budget 2022-23 has provided considerable assistance. 
• The budget intended to provide a level playing field for private players and start-ups to flourish that would cater to the demands of the defence industry. 
• The government has decided to set up an independent nodal umbrella body to meet the wide range of requirements and bring in a more transparent, time bound and pragmatic approach in trial, testing and certification of defence equipment. 
• Multiple avenues will be opening up for research and development in defence by bridging the gap between academia and industries. A 25% of defence R & D budget has been allocated for the purpose of bringing together industry, start-ups and academia. 
• To further the development of defence start-ups with active participation of private players, a Special Purpose Vehicle model has been developed. 
• This will engage the private industry not just as a vendor or supplier but a partner. 
• The defence procurement list has conveyed positivity in terms of indigenisation. 
• Government has been taking active steps to encourage self reliance in defence by improving the quality assurance process, building Defence Industrial Corridors and so on and so forth.
• Over 350 new industrial licences have been issued for defence manufacturing in the last seven years. 
• Efforts have been made to incorporate information technology in defence to tackle the issue of cyber security which is also a form of threat to national security. 

Security Challenges for India:

• India is in the midst of a wide range of security challenges which are both interstate and intrastate in nature as its economic and military profile extends towards the Indo-Pacific region. 
• Even though there are several active measures adopted by the government to revamp the defence infrastructure by introducing Atma Nirbharta (self-reliance), there exists a dire need to modernise the defence forces, drawing a balance between manpower and firepower with key focus on the acquisition of weaponry. 
• The twin military challenges posed by China and Pakistan offer a considerable burden on India’s security. 
• India also faces nuclear threats from China and Pakistan which are involved in  nuclear technology and missile delivery domains. 
• The territorial claims from the neighbouring adversaries (China and Pakistan) are in continuity over the land frontiers, specifically across the LoC (a de facto boundary with Pakistan) and the Line of Actual Control (unmarked boundary with China). 
• Beijing’s adventurism in the Indian Ocean Region along with its expansionist strategy acts as a major threat to India’s maritime security.
• Besides, China is known for its interference through cyber-warfare and space  which create difficulties and need reform in India’s strategic planning and operational thinking. 
• Coping up with China is a complex and a challenging task unless the border disputes are resolved.

Ways Suggested:

• There is a necessity to strengthen India’s strategic intent in order to convey to the adversaries that India is militarily capable of averting the terror threats to which the actions like Balakot airstrike stands significant. This approach shall continue with consistency. 
• It has been suggested by an expert that the revision of plans and policies pertaining to national security, should be based on the situation involving a thorough assessment. 
• The strategy of preparedness towards escalation as an immediate response to any terror attack needs to continue. 
• Beyond the employment of the defence forces, India can also extend its diplomatic influence as a preventive measure to spread the fear of economic sanctions for its major adversary Pakistan. 
• Therefore, there is a lot of scope for defence diplomacy to develop and it shall be used for a futuristic vision of creating an effective security network.
• India’s defence policy must acknowledge the changing dynamics of geopolitics and the emerging tensions.

Read more summaries of Perspective in the link.

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