‘India's timid response to Kargil resulted in terror strikes’

by Samirajan on 16 Nov 2009, New Delhi

New Delhi India's ‘timid’ response to the Pakistani military ingress in Kargil in 1999 has been blamed by a retired Army General for the series of terrorist strikes beginning with the attack on Parliament in 2001.

He has also come down heavily on the country's then political, executive and military leadership -- Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Army chief General V P Malik and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis -- for not standing up to the challenge.

"Our (NDA's political and military leadership's) timid response at Kargil, laid the foundation for future terrorist attacks on India, starting with the attack on the Indian Parliament," former Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant

General Harwant Singh says in an article in the coming edition of the Indian Defence Review. Apart from the wasteful troop mobilisation at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore after the terror strike on Parliament House, India was paying, literally and figuratively, large sums on strengthening NSG, Coast Guard and police after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, all because of the dithering during Kargil operations, he says.

Public Opinion

Our Generals of the Army are confusing the Public. Some Generals, especially the retired ones say that our Army is illequipped to fight China or Pakistan. Some Generals in service say that we would give a fitting reply to the aggressors. What is the real position?
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The simple truth by Hero Vaz on 16 Nov 2009

The General has put it well. Gutlessness pervades through all Indian government actions and reactions. Has India ever been assertive in anything? It is no wonder China and Pakistan are wiping their shoes on India and the US notices India in passing. In no world forum does India take a bold stand and make itself felt. The putrid leadership is to blame for this. As a result, 1.2 billion people in the country have a disgustingly low rating in the world.
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truth lies somewhere else by amit on 16 Nov 2009

truth is inthefact thwt we are hypocrates. If we believe in secularism, why we agreed to have a country on base of religion, and allow lakhs of indian suffer in Pakistan on name of religion?fact is we had surrendered inm 1947 against religious zealots. They are curse on humanity nad they are making every pakistani( indian)Suffer. since they have got a country on basis of hatred, they have only one strength with them i.e. hatred. They have no national idemntity, they have no sense of belonging, because if they develop it then their fanatic struggle of creating pakistan will become meaningless. so for their survival, they are to keep the flame of hatred, which created the nation of pakistan, alive till the time they can afford. we are to realise this truth at home as well as across the border, or pretend to be peaceloving and compromising and get thousands wounds to bleed till eternity
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It's a well disguised attempt by UPA to shift blames to their predecessor... by Anand Guru on 16 Nov 2009

I bet this is a well disguised attempt of UPA to shift the blames of their failures to their predecessors. Everybody knows that UPA's performance in their previous stint was horrible as far as tackling the issue of terrorism was concerned. India faced more terrorist attacks in last 5-6 years not because of Kargil or Tashkent but simply because UPA virtually enticed them to come and attack by removing the only existing deterrence we had namely POTA - in the name of vote-bank politics. And not before the attack on Mumbai on 26/11 shook the nation (forget about countless others which preceded 26/11) they realized their mistake and hurriedly got together to enact a renamed version of POTA again. Now coming to Kargil - this war deserves a special mention in modern history. No nation has fought a war in 20th or 21st century with so much restraint and has still achieved the desired results. Somebody has rightly pointed out that even a full-blown war wouldn't have fetched us this result!
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India unaware of Pak as the most dangerous enemy by Samir on 16 Nov 2009

The problem is that Indians are not aware of how much enemy of thiers is this terrorist Pakistan till 26 Nov 2008. Before that from Indias side only appeasement and wooing went on to this terrorist Pakistan. It was a Pak strategy to hold so called peace talk between India and Pak while 26/11 was being performed. Some so called Pseudo-intellectuals in India at first mentioned that,while Indo-Pak "peace talk" was going on this 26/11 happened, hinting Pak is good but West is bad. This is the Indian Public Opinion of Cunning and terrorist Pakistan by Indians. In fact Indians are so much confined top their internal affairs that they are not aware of who their most dangerous external enemy is.
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It's a well desguised plan to shift the blame - that's where UPA's expertise lies... by Anand on 16 Nov 2009

I bet this is a well disguised attempt of UPA to shift the blames of their failures to their predecessors. Everybody knows that UPA's performance in their previous stint was horrible as far as tackling the issue of terrorism was concerned. India faced more terrorist attacks in last 5-6 years not because of Kargil or Tashkent but simply because UPA virtually enticed them to come and attack by removing the only existing deterrence we had namely POTA - in the name of vote-bank politics. And not before the attack on Mumbai on 26/11 shook the nation (forget about countless others which preceded 26/11) they realized their mistake and hurriedly got together to enact a renamed version of POTA again. Now coming to Kargil - this war deserves a special mention in modern history. No nation has fought a war in 20th or 21st century with so much restraint and has still achieved the desired results. Somebody has rightly pointed out that even a full-blown war wouldn't have fetched us this result!
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Indian leadership's sickening inertia problem by rishi parekh on 16 Nov 2009

The Indian army general's point that a weak response to Kargil by India led to a series of terrorist attacks on the country is a valid one. Let us remind ourselves that for almost two years leading up to 26/11 attacks, India had been hit by terrorist attacks practically every two months resulting in many, many deaths. Still, Manmohan Singh did not move against the home minister Patil, who would show up in hospitals in "sympathy" for the bereaved in impeccable suits. I started out as a strong Manmohan Singh supporter, but now have strong reservations about him as an effective PM. His coalition received a good mandate in the recent general election, which his government could have used to move forward with economic reform legislation with urgency. But nothing has happened. There is talk of "we will do this and that reform" but things do not move forward with speed. The political system is sick and suffers from inertia. Meanwhile, Pakis and others exploit India's weaknesses.
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Kargill;response by Brigadier Ashok Joshi(Retd) on 16 Nov 2009

It is unfortunate that to sell a book the author wishes to blame his comrades. The then COAS,Army Cdr,Corps Cdr and others did whatever was possible to give reply to the intrusion which had taken place.You could not have taken steps to have the matter escalated to war like situation. But the question still remains as why nobody was sacked for the intrusion which remained undetected? I wish the author has highlighted this,as i have no desire to read this book as he has been writing on every subject with which he had no association.
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My common sense analysis by adaamin on 16 Nov 2009

kargil or no Kargil Pakistan will always have some excuse or the other to bleed India. The real analysis that need to be done is does India have any excuse to attack Pakistan and shut them off once and for all?
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Anti NDA Propaganda by Ananth Seth on 16 Nov 2009

Mr. Singh, I would be interested in your take on a.the refusal/inability of the then Prime Ministers of India to resolve the Kashmir issue during 1965 and 1975. b. Nehru's role in literally "creating" the China problem. c. The need for continuing article 370. Do not mind, the timing of and the delay in your reaction, make your intentions suspect. Do have political ambitions but in the process, plz do not malign or attempt to disgrace the other political side. Kindly do not politicize the defence aspects. The politicians are already doing a "good" (pun intended) job on that front!
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Timid Response by Sam on 16 Nov 2009

Easy to talk of Bold responses when one is not in the hot seat, In the light the of what we have seen regarding Chinese incursions and Paki attacks in 2004-09 how would the UPA be different.
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Why is he out of the closet now ? by Juby Mathews on 16 Nov 2009

What is this General commenting ? No Indian would buy his argument that all the terrorist attacks that happened in India was because of the so-called "timid approach" to the Kargil attacks. In fact General Musharaff was forced to make a shameful surrender to our brave jawans. Where is the correlation between Kargil and the subsequent terror attacks ? In fact, the terror attacks would have been more otherwise.
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Ignorant Comments by Veer Sain on 16 Nov 2009

The General's comments are unrealistic and uninformed. He should know that the government has to take many factors into consideration, including the international community. It is foolish to think by any sane mind that with US interests in Pakistan and US forces sitting in there, America would have allowed India to beat up Pakistan.
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Gen's comment by kamusingh on 16 Nov 2009

The mobilazation of troops after the attack on Parliament. and the kargil encounter was push back of the terrorists, and Pak army. We just managed to push them back from our door step. All for political macho image creating. It was punctured by the Kandhar surrender. NDA govt never recovered that image again. Propoganda tried to create a paper victory of Kargil. Churchill said, of the escape of the British army from France, after the fall of France, "Do not clothe this escape with attributes of Victory"
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lets show pakis by indian on 16 Nov 2009

pakistan thinks that its nuke will act as a deterant and they will get away with anything. Indian army should have crossed the loc and punished the pakis once for and all.
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To Roy. by Krishna on 16 Nov 2009

I agree completely. The right-wingers in this country are a bunch of wimps who just love blaming everyone especially the Congress for their concerns. If they are so brave and committed to the national cause, why dont they go stand on the border and hold a gun instead of sitting here and filling message boards with their mindless and senseless criticisms.
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TIMID COUNTRY by Sachin on 16 Nov 2009

A timid country my India. Can't believe we just wasted a whole opportunity to bring Kashmir back from Pakistanis.
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Timid response for 60 years: Part-2 by Raj on 16 Nov 2009

The 1000 character limit is irritating.The Pakis have been prejudiced against India since beginning. How this happened is another chapter. But what is true is that they hate us for no valid reason. They think that it is their birthright to damage India. To satisfy this animal instinct, they can go to any in-human extent. Hate-India is theri reason of existence. If they lose this reason/ motivation they will not know what to do. India has failed to increase their cost for adopting such a line. Hence our people are suffereing. We want their players to play in IPL. Sharad Pawar say, India will welcome Pakistani players in Mumbai if they qualify for final of World Cup!!!. Have we lost senses. Such language give a message of weakness. Our prime Minister is keen to start talks. For what purpose?
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Absolutely foolish analysis---- by romesh.sharma on 16 Nov 2009

This retired General is apparently interested to achieve some kind award from the Congress/ruling UPA and his criticism/ blames to them serving Generals and the Govt is obscurely ignominious to the Dence Forces and the then Govt.His passion fo a soldier is too exaggerated and unjustified.He has to know the moral sensibility produced by profound difference of circumstances,failing that he has falsified the judgement.What was then the reaction to back-stabbing attack on India by most unscrupulous enemy couldn't be underestimated.India pushed the enemy and retained its positions and not to forget the enemy suffered much more,which has been told and confirmed by both Mr Nawaz Sharif and Musharraf.This could result to worse for it wasn't a declared war and no one had slightest idea.What was done was the great job of our forces and diplomatically well dealt by then NDA/BJP.Through all out War India couldn't have achieved more.Increasing terrorism is to blamed to the dirty Cong polcies like
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India is yet to get a Leader who can RUN the country by Umesh on 16 Nov 2009

It is unfortunate that we during the 60 years had only one or two political leaders who sood up to the real challanges the country facing. I\The cargil, the parliament attack, we should have given a tit for tat response. Now the Pakis knw well that even they send few tanks and jet fighters to our country, our parliamentarians will discuss it out in another six months and the outcome would be that, we are peace lovers, we should not act like the pakis... shame on the leadership...... I sometimes compelled to feel guilty of being an indian....
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Timid response for 60 years: Part-1 by Raj on 16 Nov 2009

That's absolutely true. What kind of Rajputs, Sikhs, Marathas and other warrior clans are we, that we have given no befitting response to Pakis over the past 60 years. Musharraf, had once remarked that "Indians are incapable of reacting". He was right. I don't know, whether it is our strength or our bane. The Paki policy is clear and it is like this. They will never let go of the terror card inflict damage to India, come what way. There thinking is that they should never compromise on their strengths. As per them the Terror-factories represent a unique competence which hardly anyone in the world can replicate. Also they will continue to keep the pressure of terrorist strike on with the terror acts suitable spaced in time and space. They will never let the pressure reduce. The Kashmir issue is a ruse to continue this behaviour. It is foolish for Indians to even think of talking to Pakis. They don't understand this language.
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Wimps by joel on 16 Nov 2009

Generals love war because they can claim to be heros for ordering jawans to become martyrs. Its easy to say start a full scale war but is it practical? Roy ur a wimp I can confirm. And the man they released for hostages who is responsible for the attacks!!! Would Roy give his family up as hostage in exchange for the passengers? Indian donkeys who beat their chest calling themselves nationalist but would not go to the front line themselves. Israel is a miserable country that dont exchange for hostages (they will for galit) but can India do it? What would those who lost loved one feel? And if Saeed was not released do you think the organisation would be dead??? somebody would come up and attack India. Roy u should offer yourself in exchange for any hostage in future. you probably will run like a mouse at the sound of gunfire.
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HARD TRUTH by M V Chilukuri on 16 Nov 2009

Well, it's well known truth that Indian Govt approach to any terror attacks including Kargil has been TIMID. It's no wonder, there huge decline in young Indians joining Defence forces and moreover there is no pride factor in joining Armed Forces after Kargil War.
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Truth is beautiful but hard to know--- by romesh.sharma on 16 Nov 2009

Mr Chilukuri,Kargil wasn't mere terror-attack but a well planned and silent and surprise invasion on our country.The response of India wasN#t timid but of hesitation and elayed because of terrain and absolutely unexpected on-slaught.To tackle that kind of situation it does need time,especially under that kind of circumstances.Not to write much one must first research and read all about Kargil War before calling it Timid.There is enough material available in internet.This action was of much greater success and honour than 71.Youth not willing to join DefenceForces has nothing to do with Kargil or other Wars/border conflicts but its nepotism and corruption in recruitment system which is demoralizing.There are plenty young men and women who have the craving to join and serve the Nation but its very rare these true people really get some chance to be in uniform.The other factor is possibly vast difference of pay-scale between Officer and ordinary soldier;and ofcourse poor equipments.A fine and supportive uniform and equipment gives high spirits anf boosts the morale of every soldier.I was soldier and would like to be again one if reborn in India or if asked even now for I feel born to serve my nation.
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Factual...what more by Roy on 16 Nov 2009

The real truth will wound the die hard extreme right wingers in these columns...as seen by fellow countrymen like me they are mere paper tigers or wimps in every sense of the word. Dithered..they shied away from the realities....cowered in the face of attack & gave in to terror tactics by releasing the very man now the bane of all the attacks in India...they blame the Congress & the minorities for all their woes...call themselves nationalists...pitable lot the whole bunch. Come on wimps ..lets hear your views
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Musharraf and our national shame

DMajor Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD, commanded an Engineer Regiment on the Siachen Glacier, the most hostile battlefield in the world. A highly qualified officer (B Tech, MA (Public Administration), MSc (Defence Studies) and a Doctorate in Public Administration), General Suman was also the Task Force Commander at Pokhran and was responsible for designing and sinking shafts for the nuclear tests of May 1998.

One of the most disgusting sights seen in recent times was media coverage of General Pervez Musharraf's visit to India. A leading magazine had invited him as a distinguished speaker.

It was repugnant to see media personnel attempting to outdo each other in fawning over him. He was treated as a peace loving and moderate leader who is a well wisher of India. One TV personality went to the extent of eulogizing him as a beacon of peace for the sub-continent. Another correspondent had no hesitation in calling him as the most erudite Pakistani leader who is held in high esteem in India.

Not one media personality questioned him for initiating Kargil aggression, lest he be offended. No one cared to ask him about numerous Indian prisoners of war rotting in Pakistani jails. Nor was he asked to explain reasons for his failure to stop terrorist training camps and infiltration of jehadis into India. Worst, he was never castigated for the most barbaric and inhuman treatment meted out to Lt Saurabh Kalia and his patrol.

One wonders what thoughts must have passed through the minds of the parents of the late Lt Saurabh Kalia when they saw Indian media going overboard in lauding Musharraf as a sagacious leader and a man whom India can trust. Lt Saurabh Kalia of 4 JAT Regiment was just 22 years old when he was captured by the Pakistani Army on 15 May 1999 along with five other Indian soldiers. Saurabh's patrol was on the Indian side of Line of Control and was the first to detect Pak intrusions in the Kargil area. The patrol was kept in captivity for three weeks and their bodies were handed over to India on 9 June 1999. The state of their bodies bore testimony to the brutal torture which they had been subjected to.

The Pakistanis had indulged in dastardly acts of inflicting burn injuries on them with cigarettes, piercing their ears with hot rods, removing their eyes before puncturing them and breaking most of the bones and teeth. They even chopped off various limbs and private organs of the hapless Indian soldiers besides inflicting unimaginable physical and mental torture. After 22 days of torture, the brave soldiers were ultimately shot dead. A detailed post-mortem report is with the Indian Army.

Pakistan is a signatory to Geneva Convention that governs treatment of Prisoners of War. Article 13 mandates - "Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention. In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest." Article 17 further stipulates that no physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever.

Musharaf was never asked by the media to explain as to why the perpetrators of such heinous acts have not been brought to book to date. But, why blame media alone? Shockingly, inhuman and dastardly ill-treatment of gallant Indian soldiers has not stirred the conscious of India as a self-respecting country. The Government's response has been totally muted and apathetic. No political party has considered it worthwhile to pressurise the Government to demand explanation from Pakistan or take up the issue with international bodies for crimes against humanity. Although Indian human rights activists and bodies never tire themselves of crying hoarse over trivial and even concocted allegations against the Indian security forces, they did not find the abominable conduct of Pakistani soldiers worth condemning. As regards the Indian public, initial anger, indignation and revulsion have given way to indifference.

Instead of hauling Musharraf before international law commissions for crimes against humanity, India allows him to roam free in India to propagate his anti-Indian views. Even in the recent conclave, he humiliated India by calling terrorists as freedom fighters. It was nauseating, to say the least, to watch the media grovel before a vicious and remorseless enemy. Worse, the media scrupulously avoided asking him any discomfiting question, lest he be embarrassed.

Great nations are distinguished by their self-confidence and self-respect. India fares miserably on both counts. Had such treatment been meted out to Israeli soldiers, Israel would have made Pakistan pay dearly for it. In case US soldiers were brutalized in this manner, the US would have obtained custody of the guilty and tried them in the US for war crimes.

Our response to a matter of national shame has been indifferent and apathetic. It is only a soft state like India that utters a few protesting murmurs and thereafter receives the main perpetrator as a guest of India. It is inconceivable how Indian media could honour a man who dishonoured its soldiers.

Inviting Musharraf to participate in conclave of statesmen and thereafter giving him prime time coverage should make every Indian hang his head in shame.

A soldier is always prepared for the supreme sacrifice. Despite the immense pain of losing a son/husband/father, the family members of every martyr draw consolation from the belief that dying for the country is the ultimate honour for a soldier. However, they expect countrymen to remember and value their contribution to nation's security. Soldiers draw strength from the recognition received from their countrymen.

Special Series: Unsung Heroes : Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

When the nation shows apathy to the fate of Saurabh's party or for the soldiers in Pakistani jails who are still clinging to the hope that India would secure their release, the complete soldier fraternity and their families start wondering whether the country cares for them at all or even whether it is worth dying for it. The nation owes an answer to Saurabh's and the parents of other martyrs for its abject apathy and failure to punish the guilty. A nation has to prove itself worthy of its soldiers' supreme sacrifice.

The glorification of Musharaf has certainly insulted the memory of innumerable soldiers who died for India's future. The media needs to do serious introspection. Not withstanding its desperation for sensational news, Indian media must remember that it owes allegiance to India and its interests.

Major General Mrinal Suman, (retd) AVSM, VSM, PhD directs the Defence Acquisition Management Course for Confederation of Indian Industry and heads its Defence Technical Assessment and Advisory Service. A prolific writer, he is often consulted by policy makers and the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, and is regularly invited to address various industrial chambers in India and abroad. The views expressed here are his own.)