Pakistan : An International Migraine

Apparently, US leaders are beginning to describe Pakistan as an international migraine. While American politicos may be good at pithy phrases, let us take due note that the greatest amount of migraine pain is felt right between the eyes (which is where the unhappy Pakistani populace is positioned) and the next degree of excruciating pain is above the two eyes. It is just above one eye that we in India are located. When one of your eyes is on fire, clever and pithy phrases are not of much help. We need poultices and medicines that act swiftly and effectively to control, reduce and eliminate the ailment. The question is what kind of medicine and treatments are best for us.

Illustration: Jayachandran / Mint

We could attack Pakistan. Many of our inane and banal TV channels keep talking about this as if they want to make it a self-fulfilling prophecy despite their pretensions to injured innocence: “We are only reporting possibilities”... Like hell...why keep on harping on this dangerous and borderline lunatic set of possibilities? The Pakistani TV channels are a darn sight worse than ours. They love the macho positioning of the brave Pakistani David taking on the unreasonable Indian Goliath. The self-evident absurdity of their position does not bother them one bit. The way they deal with today’s version of the Reichstag fire makes Nazi propagandists look reasonable guys.

The Pakistani military, of course, has been the net gainer. It can now walk away from commitments to the US to take on the agents of terror on the western border of the country and reinstate its Islamist credentials which Musharraf had left badly tattered. An attack on Pakistan, if unsuccessful, would leave our migraine uncured, maybe even increase it. If successful, it could result in Pakistan disintegrating.

The only two countries that Pakistanis of all persuasions are likely to listen to are China and Saudi Arabia

When that happens, the epicentre of the migraine would get fully and properly transferred to us, resting right in the middle of the Indian forehead.

An attack on Pakistan would not be a medicine for us—it could be a dangerous poison. What are we then to do, given that the Pakistani pack—Zardari, Gilani, Nawaz Sharif, Kiyani and their low TV anchors—simply do not get it? It is true that we are suffering. But they are the ones likely to be killed as this migraine metastasizes into a full-blown malignant tumour. Indian suffering, while bad, will be nothing like the catastrophic consequences that the children of Zardari and Co. will face as their country implodes and turns into a Somalia or Sudan. Is this what they want? Can they not see their inexorable movement toward such an abyss? At this point in time, we can only conclude that they do not see it, or they choose not to see it.

So, here we are with a neighbour stuck with a migraine that is fast turning into malignancy and the pain radiates and troubles us no end. If we tell them to take medicines, we are dismissed as adversarial infidels. We have no credibility with any section of Pakistan. That we may be right is irrelevant. Cassandra was right; the Trojans did not believe her.

Will the Pakistanis react positively to inputs and pressure from the US? At this stage, I doubt it. Pakistani leaders are worried that the US might hang their “friends” out to dry. After all, their friend Zia died mysteriously; their friend Benazir’s death was a spectacle; their friend Musharraf is on forced vacation in Pakistani-style “house arrest” behind high walls. Besides, bullying tactics can only get you so far. At the end of the day, one needs a measure of acquiescence and cooperation from the bullied which just is not forthcoming. All Pakistani leaders are willing to take American money. None can or will deliver their end of the bargain.

If we want the patient to cooperate in taking the prescribed medicine, the choice of the doctor seems to be key. The only two doctors that Pakistanis of whatever hue are likely to listen to are China and Saudi Arabia. They have credibility; they are not the enemy like India; they are not unreliable bullies like the US. What is the quid pro quo we can offer China and Saudi Arabia? Till now, we have been hesitant to let China invest in our infrastructure space. Why not invite them in by, for instance, offering the Chinese Sovereign Wealth Fund 20% minority stakes in the Mumbai and Delhi airports and in the Bangalore and Hyderabad metros? Similarly, why not offer the Saudis 20% minority stake in ONGC and Indian Oil? At one stroke, they both will develop a vested interest in preventing terrorist attacks in India and, trust me, between the two of them they have enough clout to bring all sections of the Pakistani leadership to heel.

PS: The security situation in Pakistan has deteriorated considerably after this article was written. Swat Valley, an area untouched by the Taliban, is now under their sway.

Jaithirth Rao is an entrepreneur and writer. Your comments are welcome at theirview@livemint.com

Pakistan or Papistan : an Irresponsible Nation? ...A nation against humanity !

By ATIA ZAHIR KAZMI

Mr. Kazmi is trying to justify that terrorists supported by Pakistan are doing Mumbai like crimes because Muslims are suppressed in India particularly in Kashmir. ( By this logic the Non-muslims in Islamic countries should blast the muslim nations at the earliest, because Islam practically teaches suppression of all other religions and labels them as Kafirs who have no right to survive )

The relations between Pakistan and India have always been chequered at best, marked by an air of mistrust and hostility. Each time they behave themselves to the brink of a conflict, we wonder will these powers, armed with dangerous toys, be ever able to live as peaceful neighbours. It's ironical that leadership on both sides claim that they want peaceful coexistence for the betterment of their people and whenever they are close to mend their fences someone messes up the issue.
We take two steps forward and end up taking four steps in the opposite direction. Why? Is Pakistan really an irresponsible state that will send its foreign minister to advance peace process and send terrorists by sea to do exactly the opposite? Or is India not serious at all to give people of Kashmir their rights, and doesn't want to address the root cause of the hostilities? These questions need to be addressed sans any bias and with all intellectual honesty.
An empirical view of history of the Indo-Pak subcontinent shows that British had strewn the seeds of conflict and post independence rivalry between India and Pakistan by leaving the issue of Kashmir undecided. The incomplete partition has also led embittered Kashmiris to resort to extremism.
India alleges that Pakistani based extremist religious organisations, in connivance with the intelligence agencies, fuel the so-called insurgency and at times acts independently. Furthermore, the international community has been largely indifferent to Kashimiri people's plight thus literally forcing them to opt for violent means.
On November 3, 1947, Field Marshall Claude Auchinleck wrote a prophetic statement to the British Ministry of Defence: "If on the other hand Indian forces succeed in establishing a control over Kashmir, this is likely to lead to a severe campaign of repression against Muslims in Kashmir and in Poonch, which is wholly populated by Punjabi musalamans. Should this happen it is probable that there will be a strong religious and racial reaction in Pakistan which might amount to jihad or holy war that the Pakistan government, in my opinion, will be powerless to control even if they so wished."
Pakistan and India have tasted the poisoned fruit of the sixty years old seed. If the core issue of Kashmir is not resolved according to the aspirations of its people, as enshrined in several UN resolutions, both pugilists will continue to bleed. We will continue to beat about the 'Bush' till this fundamental issue is not resolved with complete sincerity. For this, however, we need bold leaders who can find some out of the box solutions instead of maintaining rigid stance.
The notion of surgical strikes by India since Pakistan failed to 'do more to satisfy' it and is powerless to control such acts of terrorism needs consideration too. I don't endorse the perception that the Pakistani government is powerless in dealing with the terrorists rather it finds it increasingly difficult to fight them and control extremism due to diminishing support from the US and Western World, who have a different paradigm. While loss of innocent lives in Mumbai cannot be underplayed, it is also a fact that Pakistan continues to suffer from similar acts of terrorism that may be linked to India.
It chooses not to point fingers to give peace a chance. While India's internal political compulsions force it to score points by bringing Pakistan on the spot without evidence, latter has acted with prudence to handle the crisis erupting from Indian hawkishness.
It is surprising to see India and the US jumping the gun and implicate Pakistan without credible evidence and complete investigation. There are forty-six separatist movements in India that are a source of instability. Given the surviving shooter, Ajmal Kasab, may be of Pakistani origin but it is quite easy to find mercenaries to achieve different ends.
He did not act at government's behest. Entire Pakistani nation cannot be made responsible for an individual act of madness that may have been orchestrated by another player that wanted to set Pakistan and India up to achieve other aims. Every Pakistani on the street asks why the international community remains silent once Pakistan faces a similar tragedy. This insensitivity may lead to further disenchantment from the West.
The way America and India have handled the crisis emanating from the Mumbai attacks merit analysis from War on Terror and Kashmiri freedom struggle's perspective. Besides leading to another conflict with India, this incident has the potential to create some long term down beat effects in counterterrorism partnership with America.
The way the situation is unfolding, the Kashmiri freedom struggle may go on back burner. India has been largely successful in manipulating increased American sensitivity to terrorism and latter's impartiality seems to tilt in Indian favour. It appears that Pakistan's moral support to freedom struggle in Kashmir is a source of concern for America and challenges US interests in diminishing the capacity of terrorist organisations and degrading their force projection capabilities.
The US increasingly considers Pakistan as an uncertain, and possibly short-term, partner in the War on Terror since latter's perceptions on core security problems revolve around India and Kashmir. That is a serious point of divergence for Washington and Islamabad. Another reason for this transient partnership is Pakistan's chequered social, economic and political stability as well as the mixed attitudes of populace towards America.
Conversely, India is viewed as a lasting counterterrorism partner for reasons that are essentially the opposite of Pakistan's perceived weaknesses. It's interesting to see that the short-term partner is doing the most in the War on Terror and USA still wants to milk it more, while the long-term partner in the War on Terror sits back and enjoys!
For the sake of peace and prosperity in the region, the Indian government will have to act responsibly and look beyond short-term gains in the forthcoming elections. They have to exercise patience and behave maturely like the Pakistani leadership and respond with sincerity to Pakistan's offer to help them investigate the Mumbai attacks.
What bigger assurance they need than a promise that the perpetrators, if any from Pakistan, will be brought to justice. The common people of India need a better deal from their government by avoiding conflict rather than pushing them further below the poverty line. Pakistan is a responsible state that is the largest troop contributor to the United Nations and has been instrumental in bringing peace to many troubled parts of the world. Ironically it cannot find peace with its neighbour that claims to be the largest democracy. Pakistan is acting responsibly. Is the rest of the world too?
It must be understood that the people of Pakistan will not tolerate violation of their territorial integrity lying down. While India can gain the initiative by the so-called surgical strikes but they may not be able to control the outcome of such miscalculation. The outgoing US president lamented the faulty intelligence used to build support for invading Iraq: "I think I was unprepared for war." Does Dr Singh, after finishing his term, want to repent putting his soldiers and countrymen in harm's way too? Is he equipped with rhetoric or faulty intelligence? It is time for a reality check.
The writer is a freelance columnist

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HOME MINISTRYby Aneek Chakrabarty on 31 Dec 2008

Now our new Home Minister says, his department is looking into the case of Afzal Guru. There has to be a limit of inaction. Supreme Court has given their verdict to hang Guru, so what else is there to look? This love of Muslim for votebank support will someday eliminate a country named India from the map of the world. First, our ex-President made a serious mistake by accepting the petition from Guru's family, by showing, he has no respect for Judiciary. Now Home Ministry's new boss, Mr. Chidambaram is doing the same thing. Mr. Patil was sitting on it, now The New Home Minister is also following his line. There has to be a limit of inaction. It happens only in India, as filmstar Govinda said in one of the film song, we have to take a lesson on guts, from Israel. We are slowly and steadily becoming the most inactive nation in the world, who does not know, how to protect our homeland. Can anyone tell me, how long we will continue as a GUTLESS NATION?

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Creation of the NIAby Arvind K Mathur on 31 Dec 2008

The problem is not the creation of additional centers etc. It is who is going to control them - The IPS or police ? Then we are doomed. The NSG is staffed and run by the Army. Such police run schools in the country have been a failure in the past and will be a failure in the future. They are too soft and have poor leadership. IPS officers are not trained and basically sit on a chair for the better part of their lives. Its a colonial police force strong on priveleged and poor on integrity. The home minister needs a reality check.

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Terrorist among you.by jatinder S Hoon on 31 Dec 2008

Keep on enacting new laws, but no law agency to enforce it.Wake up India,your leaders are dissecting India, slowly but surly, they are incompetent and have no set policies, except that of , "Empty pockets make much noise, is these crooked politicians mantra."Fight for country survival, before it is too late, Pakistan is no country, but a terrorist H.Q, kept alive by ISI and American dole.

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nia-noby Dipak on 31 Dec 2008

Come out of this mechanical format, take some action,Indians want action not reaction, act know, donot divert attention, you should know that indians are ashmed of you and indian government.

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Any guarantee?by Amol on 31 Dec 2008

How do we ensure that the newly formed agency would not be used by Politicians? What guarantees that they will not go the way NSG has gone, protecting cowards?

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Dont use NIA for guarding Pres. or PM...by varun on 31 Dec 2008

I think after a period of long years, NIA is created..Hope they are not again used for guarding PM or President or any other officio post in the country... Even when they sit ideal, dont move them to guard anyone... Give very good equiptments to them...including communication devices...

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NIAby dv sharma on 31 Dec 2008

We hope that the new Law can help in controlling terrorism in our country. Enforcement of law should be above political interests. JAI HIND

New disclosures link LeT to Mumbai, Pakistan under pressure to act

31 Dec 2008, 2008 hrs IST, IANS

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NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH/ISLAMABAD: With indications that Pakistan may be close to admitting the links of militants operating from its territory to the Mumbai mayhem, India on Wednesday renewed its call to Islamabad to take action against the perpetrators of the carnage.  At the same time, India ruled out a military attack against Pakistan and reaffirmed its policy of using diplomatic channels to get Islamabad to hand over those involved in the terror strikes.  New Delhi's renewed assertion came amid reports that an independent probe by Pakistan's intelligence agencies has revealed “substantial links” between the Mumbai attackers and the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a banned Pakistani terrorist outfit that is suspected of having masterminded the 26/11 carnage.  The US also mounted pressure on Pakistan to prosecute two top LeT leaders, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah, who were said to be in the forefront of hatching the Mumbai conspiracy to destabilize India.  Shah has confessed to his involvement in the Mumbai carnage to Pakistan's intelligence agencies, CNN-IBN news channel said, quoting unnamed sources in the Pakistani prime minister's office.  “The United Nations Security Council has told Pakistan to take firm action against the perpetrators and various terror outfits flourishing there,” Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told reporters in Chandigarh.  “Under international law, it is obligatory for Pakistan to act accordingly if they are provided with sufficient evidence," Sharma pointed out.  Asked if India is sharing evidence related to the Mumbai attacks with Pakistan, Sharma said: "In the past also we have shared enough evidence with Pakistan, but unfortunately our neighbouring country is living in a state of denial. However, this time also we will share all the evidence with them and see to it that they do the needful."  Responding to a statement by Pakistani National Security Adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani Tuesday night in which he did not rule out the possibility of captured terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab being a Pakistani national, Sharma said: "This evidence is adequate to indicate that they are already under pressure. Pakistan had made several assurances to Indian government in the past and now it is high time for them to meet those assurances."  Sharma ruled out any military action against Islamabad and argued that India was a mature democracy and military strikes did not make any sense when diplomatic channels were available to make Pakistan fall in line.  "Answering through military action is not child's play when we are a part of a globalised world. We want to resolve all our differences in a peaceful manner. Nevertheless, our security agencies are capable enough to meet any eventuality," Sharma told reporters here.  "This fact is known to the entire world that Pakistan is supporting terrorists. Therefore, instead of denying, they should take appropriate steps against terrorists and those who provide them financial assistance in their country," Sharma pointed out.  Home Minister P Chidambaram, too, asked Pakistan to act instead of persisting in denial by repeatedly asking India for evidence. Refuting Pakistan's allegations that India had not shared evidence with it on the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem, Chidambaram wondered what more evidence was required after Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab's father had owned up to him on a Pakistani television channel.  “If anyone is in state of denial, then anything we give is denied,” Chidambaram said at a press conference in New Delhi.  Kasab was the lone terrorist to be captured alive by the security agencies during the Nov 26-29 attacks when a group of 10 militants allegedly from Pakistan stormed Mumbai and killed over 170 people. Nine terrorists were gunned down in operations that lasted for over 60 hours.  "The investigations into the Mumbai attack are in progress and are proceeding on right track," Chidamabaram said.  Pressure also mounted on Pakistan to act, with damning disclosures published in a leading US daily that established a link between Pakistani militants and the Mumbai attack.  Zarar Shah, a top LeT leader captured in a raid earlier this month in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, has confessed the group's involvement in the attack as India and the US have alleged, a senior Pakistani security official told the Wall Street Journal.  "He is singing," the WSJ quoted the security official, who declined to be identified, as saying.  “The disclosure could add new international pressure on Pakistan to accept that the attacks...originated within its borders and to prosecute or extradite the suspects,” the daily added.  “That raises difficult and potentially destabilising issues for the country's new civilian government, its military and the spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence - which is conducting interrogations of militants it once cultivated as partners," it added.  The admission, the official said, was backed up by US intercepts of a phone call between Shah and one of the attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, the site of a 60-hour gunbattle with Indian security forces.  The report comes on the day a Pakistani newspaper said Islamabad was under tremendous US pressure to extradite to India Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks.  "The Americans are believed to have given Pakistan a taped conversation Lakhvi allegedly had with the gunmen involved in the attacks," the Dawn newspaper said in a dispatch from Washington, quoting US and diplomatic sources.  The sources said that American audio experts had checked the tape and concluded that it was genuine and that the speaker was Lakhvi.  Lakhvi and Shah were picked up during a crackdown following the ban imposed by the UN on the Jamat-ud Dawa, as the LeT was renamed after it was banned in the wake of the Dec 13, 2001, attack on the Indian parliament that New Delhi blamed on the militant group. The Pakistani government now says it is unaware of Lakhvi's whereabouts.  According to the WSJ, a second person familiar with the investigation said Shah had implicated other LeT members and had broadly confirmed the story Kasab told to Indian investigators that the 10 assailants trained in Pakistani Kashmir and then went by boat from Karachi to Mumbai.  Islamabad, however, predictably rubbished the report. “No staff of the prime minister secretariat was involved in providing these reports,” the prime minister's office reacted in Islamabad.  The government officials also termed the report as “baseless”.  However, as the year drew to a close, the civilian and military leadership in Pakistan met to discuss Islamabad's options in view of growing international pressure to prosecute the Mumbai attackers.  Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held important but separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Kayani also briefed the president on the situation on the western and eastern borders. Home Minister P Chidambaram, too, asked Pakistan to act instead of persisting in denial by repeatedly asking India for evidence. Refuting Pakistan's allegations that India had not shared evidence with it on the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem, Chidambaram wondered what more evidence was required after Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab's father had owned up to him on a Pakistani television channel.  “If anyone is in state of denial, then anything we give is denied,” Chidambaram said at a press conference in New Delhi.  Kasab was the lone terrorist to be captured alive by the security agencies during the Nov 26-29 attacks when a group of 10 militants allegedly from Pakistan stormed Mumbai and killed over 170 people. Nine terrorists were gunned down in operations that lasted for over 60 hours.  "The investigations into the Mumbai attack are in progress and are proceeding on right track," Chidamabaram said.  Pressure also mounted on Pakistan to act, with damning disclosures published in a leading US daily that established a link between Pakistani militants and the Mumbai attack.  Zarar Shah, a top LeT leader captured in a raid earlier this month in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, has confessed the group's involvement in the attack as India and the US have alleged, a senior Pakistani security official told the Wall Street Journal.  "He is singing," the WSJ quoted the security official, who declined to be identified, as saying.  “The disclosure could add new international pressure on Pakistan to accept that the attacks...originated within its borders and to prosecute or extradite the suspects,” the daily added.  “That raises difficult and potentially destabilising issues for the country's new civilian government, its military and the spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence - which is conducting interrogations of militants it once cultivated as partners," it added.  The admission, the official said, was backed up by US intercepts of a phone call between Shah and one of the attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, the site of a 60-hour gunbattle with Indian security forces.  The report comes on the day a Pakistani newspaper said Islamabad was under tremendous US pressure to extradite to India Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks.  "The Americans are believed to have given Pakistan a taped conversation Lakhvi allegedly had with the gunmen involved in the attacks," the Dawn newspaper said in a dispatch from Washington, quoting US and diplomatic sources.  The sources said that American audio experts had checked the tape and concluded that it was genuine and that the speaker was Lakhvi.  Lakhvi and Shah were picked up during a crackdown following the ban imposed by the UN on the Jamat-ud Dawa, as the LeT was renamed after it was banned in the wake of the Dec 13, 2001, attack on the Indian parliament that New Delhi blamed on the militant group. The Pakistani government now says it is unaware of Lakhvi's whereabouts.  According to the WSJ, a second person familiar with the investigation said Shah had implicated other LeT members and had broadly confirmed the story Kasab told to Indian investigators that the 10 assailants trained in Pakistani Kashmir and then went by boat from Karachi to Mumbai.  Islamabad, however, predictably rubbished the report. “No staff of the prime minister secretariat was involved in providing these reports,” the prime minister's office reacted in Islamabad.  The government officials also termed the report as “baseless”.  However, as the year drew to a close, the civilian and military leadership in Pakistan met to discuss Islamabad's options in view of growing international pressure to prosecute the Mumbai attackers.  Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held important but separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Kayani also briefed the president on the situation on the western and eastern borders.

Pakistani militant confesses to role in Mumbai attacks

The diplomatic row between India and Pakistan continues to deepen following the November terrorist attack as both countries send more troops to their borders.

By David Montero

posted December 31, 2008 at 9:50 am EST

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A war of words continues between India and Pakistan amid new evidence that a Pakistani militant group masterminded the terrorist attacks in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) last month. And as Pakistan continues to move troops to its eastern border with India, analysts say Pakistan may be too distracted to effectively fight militants at home.

This week, The Wall Street Journal reported new evidence linking Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba to the Mumbai attacks:

At least one top leader of militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, or "Army of the Pure," captured in a raid earlier this month in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, has confessed the group's involvement in the attack as India and the U.S. have alleged, according to a senior Pakistani security official....

Pakistani security officials say a top Lashkar commander, Zarar Shah, has admitted a role in the Mumbai attack during interrogation, according to the security official, who declined to be identified discussing the investigation. "He is singing," the security official said of Mr. Shah. The admission, the official said, is backed up by U.S. intercepts of a phone call between Mr. Shah and one of the attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, the site of a 60-hour confrontation with Indian security forces....

[The revelation will increase] pressure on Pakistan to accept that the attacks, which left 171 dead in India, originated within its borders and to prosecute or extradite the suspects. That raises difficult and potentially destabilizing issues for the country's new civilian government, its military and the spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence -- which is conducting interrogations of militants it once cultivated as partners.

Despite the revelation, "India on Wednesday said Pakistan was in 'denial' over the Mumbai attacks and refusing to acknowledge evidence linking the gunmen who carried out the assault with elements in Pakistan," according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

[India's Home Minister P. Chidambaram] said the Pakistani father of the sole surviving gunman had confirmed to Pakistan television that his son was involved.

"If that is not evidence then what is?" Chidambaram said.

Amid the tension, both nations moved troops to their border, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

Pakistan claimed India had moved troops to their shared border Tuesday, days after Pakistan itself shifted soldiers to the frontier, but New Delhi insisted it had done nothing to add to tensions between the nuclear-armed countries....

Most observers say a fourth war between the countries is highly unlikely, not least because few can imagine a scenario where India would benefit from it. Any attack on Pakistan would destabilize the country's new civilian government and strengthen its militant fringe, they say.

Last week, "Pakistani intelligence officials said the country was shifting up to 20,000 troops from the Afghan border area – where they are among more than 100,000 fighting al-Qaida and Taliban militants – to the Indian frontier. They spoke on condition of anonymity." The AP reports.

Indian officials denied that their troop movements were in preparation for any sort of attack, calling them normal winter exercises, according to The News, an English-language newspaper in Pakistan.

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee denied on Tuesday mobilisation of Indian forces on Pakistan border. He was responding to [Pakistani] Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi's proposal to India to de-activate forward bases and re-location of army units to peacetime positions to de-escalate tension in the region.

"We have not created any tension.... First there should be escalation from Indian side then the question of de-escalation will come. We have not escalated anything," he said. Mukherjee said the Indian army has made it clear that its military movements were a "normal winter exercise" and there was no question of such mobilization.

The focus on tensions with India is distracting Pakistan from its real threat: the rise of militancy along its border with Afghanistan, The Washington Post reports.

Many Pakistanis still view India as their real enemy and are far less concerned about the spread of radical Islam in their midst, while the country's powerful army appears to be more comfortable facing its conventional cross-border adversary to the east than waging a messy counterinsurgency campaign against fellow Muslims and Pakistanis on its own territory....

Even if the recent shift of troops away from the Afghan border and toward India proves largely a symbolic gesture, however, some analysts here say they worry a thinning of military ranks in the northwest could give Islamist forces a chance to become more entrenched in the conservative, impoverished region less than 100 miles from the capital.

 

Impotent Indian leaders trying to advise Israel...rather they should learn from Israel..how to defend your self respect !

Ashwani Talwar

First Published : 30 Dec 2008 02:26:00 AM IST

Last Updated : 30 Dec 2008 01:26:58 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Amid the talk of the possibility of `surgical’ Indian strikes against Pakistan-based terror camps, Delhi has made it clear that it does not approve of the continuing Israeli air attacks in the West Bank which happen to be of the kind that some hawks in India would recommend against Pakistan.

In a statement the second since Israel began its air strikes on Saturday the External Affairs Ministry has criticised the use of ``disproportionate force’’ by Israel.

When the Foreign Office issued the second statement on Monday, over 300 Palestinians had been reported dead and several more injured in the Israeli retaliation that followed rocket and mortar attacks into Israeli territory from Hamasrun Gaza Strip.

The initial Israeli strikes were against Hamas security compounds: many of the dead were Hamas policemen.

Israel is sometimes cited as an example to follow for India. But observers also argue it is tough to emulate that country and strike at Pakistan-based camps of militant organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed as Pakistan is militarily strong and has a nuclear arsenal.

Compared to Israel, India also comes under bigger American pressure to exercise restraint.

India’s first response on Saturday to the West Asian flare-up took note of ``immediate cross-border provocations’’ – the rocket attacks on Israel - but urged ``an immediate end to the use of force against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.’’ But Monday’s statement was harsher against Israel.

``It is disappointing to note that the use of disproportionate force is resulting in a large number of civilian casualties on the one hand and the escalating violence on the other. This continued use of indiscriminate force is unwarranted and condemnable,’’ the Foreign Office spokesman said.

India urged ``utmost restraint so as to give peace a chance as the peace process may well get derailed irreversibly by Israel’s attack in the Gaza Strip and continued violence.’’ India has issued similar statements in the past on violence in West Asia as it urges dialogue in West Asia.

But coming amid the India-Pakistan stand-off after Mumbai terror attacks, this one would seem to send a message to countries that are concerned over the possibility of India launching similar attacks in Pakistan territory: That India would be reluctant to take any action that could result in big collateral damage of civilian casualties.

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Comments

 What benefit did India got since several years for supporting the Palestines and honouring Yasar Arafat. Today no Arab/Muslim country is our trusted friend. More over many of them are funding/supporting the Jihadi War to establish the 100% Isllamic World by fighting against and eliminating the Christians/Jews/Hindus etc. Except the Congress party (in the form of minority votes) no other is going to benefit from the above statements of the Indian govt. Dirty Congress party is tring to cash on even from the external issues. On what moral grounds they can ask the international community to mount pressure on Pak in retion to their sponsored Terror attacks on India in Mumbai. 

By Sridhar Kesireddy 
12/31/2008 12:58:00 PM

 Because of ruling NAPUNSAK Congress Goverment in center, we aam admi will have face such insult of India. Napunsak congress goverment can assign one complete force for Malengav blast but Napunsak Congress goverement can not touch any Muslim in the world for their vote bank, no matter they are terrorists or master of terrorists like Afzal Guru. if you are muslim then we cant touch you we are napunsak this is what Congress attitude and approch, f**k of. and this is the peak of foolishness and lack of maturity to oppose Isarail who is taking actions agains terror and *ucking Congress, not taking any action and commenting against those who are taking actions for their survival, shameless people put we indians in shamful position. I HATE you f*cking Congress. 

By Unfortunate Indian 
12/31/2008 11:30:00 AM

 Israel always supported india and now also it is, and its really very bad on indian part that when Israel is facing problem it is not supporting it and its left alone to face criticism. Why? Indian politics has gone to dogs. Israel does whats in the interest of their citizens and their country. India should be like that. They dont give sh*t and they dont take sh*t and if u give sh*t u get what u deserve. Israel tried a lot to convince Hamas but u can convince only those who can understand things. Hamas knows only the language of blood and devastation and the common people there including women and children are no different. They all support Hamas. Childrens are prepared from begining to hate others except muslims. If u dont kill all of these kind of people then u r letting ur grave to be dug by them. 

By Heart of India 
12/31/2008 10:08:00 AM

 I do not understand what kind of idiots are sitting in Indian External Ministry and issuing such a irresponsible statement. Israel is victim of terrorist same as India. We should fully support Israel to wipe out Hamas. Otherwise How can India justify its surgical strike in POK. As long as such idiots are and HIJDAS are ruling India, we can not move forward. 

By Srey Vickey 
12/31/2008 9:56:00 AM

 I dont understand why india even bothers to comment about Isreael when after the Mumbai attacks no Middle Eastern countries isssued any statement condemning the attacks.India should just give up this farse pro Arab stand.It has not helped us in any way.Congress is just a bunch of old fuddy duddies who should all be sent to some retirement homes and asked to fend for them selves! 

By latha rajamani 
12/31/2008 9:39:00 AM

 Part 3. SL dare to send a guy who was part of terrorist organization with a fake passport to one of the technologically sophisticated country. This incident is an indication of SL's barbaric attitude of violating international laws. Considering these two facts, it is very much possible that India has a danger from SL. It is time for India to think and worry about India's soverignity instead of SL's. It is hightime that india work towards what is good for the future of INDIA instead of talking nonsense about Rajiv Assasination. 

By krishnamoorthy 
12/31/2008 8:48:00 AM

 Part 1. Reaching the borders of Tamil Nadu from the shores of Srilanka is very easy. Indeed, people used to swim between Srilanka and India.Therfore, one can use underwater bikes to reach India and create a mayhem similar to the one happened in Mumbai. Obviously, Rameshwaram will be an easy target. The temple is always crowded and located on the seashore. Now, why Srilanka will carry out this operation? It is SL's relationship with ISI (Pakistan). SL now has TMVP lead by Karuna and Pillayan with them. ISI (pakistan) with the help of SL can recruit people from TMVP and send them to Rameshwaram and create mayhem. If such incident happen, who do we blame? Obviously everyone in India will blame LTTE. 

By krishnamoorthy 
12/31/2008 8:47:00 AM

 Part 2.Even when mumbai was attacked "The Hindu" published article, wherein they had mentioned that there is a probe going on to find out the LTTE connection to the attack. As soon as there is a crime in TN, people like M. K. Narayan, Cho, Hindu N. Ram, Elangovan will say that LTTE carried out the attack. The question here is do ISI and SL do such activity? It is very much possible. 1. Nawas Sharif was not infromed about Kargil intrusion (this was found out by Indian inteligence by intercepting a phone call between Gen. Musharaf and Gen Aziz!). From this it is clear that the rulers of Pakistan has no control over ISI activity. 2. SL don't care about any international laws (They had sent Karuna to UK using fake diplomatic passport). 

By Krishnamoorthy 
12/31/2008 8:46:00 AM

 India and Indians must know that Israel has always supported India on Kashmir issue on all international fora and that muslim majority countries have always condemned India and aggressively campaigned for Pakistan always.Even after the murderous paki jeahdi attacks, did you see a single muslim majoirty country condemning Pakistan? Same is the case with Indian muslims, their love for jehadi religion is many times more than their love for India or majority hindus. In fact all exceopt Sir Salman Rushdie or Dr Abdul Kalam may even wish that kafir hindus and silkhs and buddhists be eliminated by terror or converted so that they can get 72 virgins and lot of wine in heaven after death.Only Israel know the real poison of smeitic religions, islam and christianity and we must be ashamed to have selfish congress rulers for the past 50 odd years who have no love or concern for majority hindus and hindustan. 

By V.Mehta 
12/31/2008 8:20:00 AM

 Pakistan split into 2 (Pakistan and bangladesh) and we (INDIA) gained, split SRI LANKA into 2 or 3 INDIA will gain. COME ON , this is much better than fighting with unknown enemies. 

By Singhai 
12/31/2008 8:01:00 AM

 Superb RAM !!! I also heard about this story about the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka supporting Pakistan whenever and where ever possible. I think we should support our friends in the enemy countries and strengthen them to fight our enemies within their lands. Bravo 

By Mamta 
12/31/2008 7:56:00 AM

 I HAVE WRITTEN IN 6 PARTS AS SOME OF WHAT I SAID DINOT GET DISPLAYED, PLEASE READ ALL 6 PARTS..... NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 1 People are forgetting the fact that that Pakistan is not alone. It is well supported by the west. Until 15 years ago it was highly supported by US and India was about to be attacked by US and allies in support of Pakistan. But the British did not join saying they are worried about repercussions and so the attack didn't happen. It is ironical for ANY INDIAN to think in the lines of Israel or US and if anyone does THEY ARE STUPID. Infact the West Asia will be a better ally of India than the unpredictable US or Pakistan. Pakistan is well supported by China and Sri Lanka, where Sri lanka has given base to Pakistan in all the wars against India. 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:34:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 2 Sri Lankan (read as Sinhalese People) were happy when the attack took place in Mumbai (all evidences available through their newspapers. Indira Gandhi and other leaders got the help from ordinary Thamils and fighting groups (Plote, epdp, LTTE although an advisor to Rajiv mucked up the support, still the support to India by the Thamil groups is INTACT for INDIA) to bring the Sinhalese people's government under control. Likewise Baluchistan rebels in Pakistan are supported by India. This is the way to do it against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. READ PART 3 CONTD... BELOW 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:32:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 3 Sri Lanka even fielded a candidate for UN top post and realising at the last minute, though India knew the Indian candidate will fail, successfully made the Sri lankan candidate to fail. Sri Lankan papers were up in arms against India. WHAT IS THE LOVE STORY between Pakistan and Sri lanka , it is basically supplying weapons and Sri Lanka also has 7 - 8% Moslems, and there 2 groups broadly. One group follows Indian milder way and the other sect extreme Saudi way. These groups were again controlled by Thamils but currently until a year ago by the LTTE. CONTD BELOW PART 4. 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:31:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 4 Pakistan high commissioner was attacked (he was bombed, but escaped) in Colombo, Sri Lanka as he was a defence SPY and immediately he pointed his finger on India. So FRIENDS KNOW YOUR ENEMIES, SINCE the most important department , the NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR (Narayanan) holds failed in this area because of his private vengeance or their own reasons, the whole of India is about to fail. READ PART 5 CONTD... BELOW 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:30:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 5 STOP ENEMIES AT THE BORDER AND DEAL WITH SRI LANKA (indirect enemy) and PAKISTAN (direct enemy) WITH THE HELP OF OUR FRIENDS (they call them rebels or terrorists, who cares, as one persons freedom fighter is another persons terror) Gandhi was labelled a terrorist, Subhash (Netaji) was labelled a terrorist. Nelson Mandela if you think was democratic, you are wrong, NELSON MANDELA WAS AN ARMED MAN FIGHTING VIOLENCE WITH VIOLENCE'. Lets show this cowardice 2 countries a lesson, by stepping up the violence in those countries, then they have NO BLOODY TIME IN OUR COUNTRY. THAT IS THE WAY THE DIPLOMACY WORKS. PART 6 CONTD... BELOW 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:29:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 6 THIS WILL BE AGREED BY MANY DIPLOMATS LIVING IN OTHER COUNTRIES AS THEY SILENTLY WITNESS THIS and may not say in public. But thats the way it works. Beware of the direct and indirect enemies. Continue giving them their own medicine, but also increase the level. No need to hit direct enemy, but always remove the support for the enemy, which is SRI LANKA and so the DIRECT ENEMY PAKISTAN WILL STAND ALONE in South Asia. TO DO THIS NO DIRECT ATTACK IS NECESSARY. 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:28:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 1 ----- People are forgetting the fact that that Pakistan is not alone. It is well supported by the west. Until 15 years ago it was highly supported by US and India was about to be attacked by US and allies in support of Pakistan. But the British did not join saying they are worried about repercussions and so the attack didn't happen. It is ironical for ANY INDIAN to think in the lines of Israel or US and if anyone does THEY ARE STUPID. Infact the West Asia will be a better ally of India than the unpredictable US or Pakistan. Pakistan is well supported by China and Sri Lanka, where Sri lanka has given base to Pakistan in all the wars against India. Sri Lankan (read as Sinhalese People) were happy when the attack took place in Mumbai (all evidences available through their newspapers. Indira Gandhi and other leaders got the help from ordinary Thamils and fighting groups (Plote, epdp, LTTE although an advisor to Rajiv mucked u 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:23:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 2 Sri Lanka even fielded a candidate for UN top post and realising at the last minute, though India knew the Indian candidate will fail, successfully made the Sri lankan candidate to fail. Sri Lankan papers were up in arms against India. WHAT IS THE LOVE STORY between Pakistan and Sri lanka , it is basically supplying weapons and Sri Lanka also has 7 - 8% Moslems, and there 2 groups broadly. One group follows Indian milder way and the other sect extreme Saudi way. These groups were again controlled by Thamils but currently until a year ago by the LTTE. Pakistan high commissioner was attacked (he was bombed, but escaped) in Colombo, Sri Lanka as he was a defence SPY and immediately he pointed his finger on India. So FRIENDS KNOW YOUR ENEMIES, SINCE the most important department , the NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR (Narayanan) holds failed in this area because of his private vengeance or their own reasons, the whole of India is about to fa 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:22:00 AM

 NICE TO JOIN THIS DISCUSSION. PART 3 STOP ENEMIES AT THE BORDER AND DEAL WITH SRI LANKA (indirect enemy) and PAKISTAN (direct enemy) WITH THE HELP OF OUR FRIENDS (they call them rebels or terrorists, who cares, as one persons freedom fighter is another persons terror) Gandhi was labelled a terrorist, Subhash (Netaji) was labelled a terrorist. Nelson Mandela if you think was democratic, you are wrong, NELSON MANDELA WAS AN ARMED MAN FIGHTING VIOLENCE WITH VIOLENCE'. Lets show this cowardice 2 countries a lesson, by stepping up the violence in those countries, then they have NO BLOODY TIME IN OUR COUNTRY. THAT IS THE WAY THE DIPLOMACY WORKS. THIS WILL BE AGREED BY MANY DIPLOMATS LIVING IN OTHER COUNTRIES AS THEY SILENTLY WITNESS THIS and may not say in public. But thats the way it works. Beware of the direct and indirect enemies. Continue giving them their own medicine, but also increase the level. No need to hit direct enemy, but always remove the support for 

By Ram 
12/31/2008 7:21:00 AM

 Ministry of External Affairs has one again proved itself to be the most useless ministry by opening its trap again . If we had atleast half of Israel's resolve no one would dare mess with us . What's next ? Advising China to take it easy on Somali pirates ? Or NATO on Al Qaeda ? 

By Rahul 
12/30/2008 6:20:00 PM

 India is preparing itself for an Islamic take over. This poor country has got no guts to act against those killers who are hell bent on destroying everything that doesn't bear an Islamic sign here in this country. In 1947 we lost one third of it, now we have to give them the remaining whole of it!!! Any how our government is not going to act against these enemies of everything that this civilized world stands for. So let's be prepared for that take over which will only bring death and destruction for all of us. 

By Aninda 
12/30/2008 5:55:00 PM

 tooth for tooth and blood for blood has never ever solved anything in the past and will never ever solve anything in the future too.It will only make our problem change from simple to complex and from complex to compound.Peaceful talks and nrgotiations is the best option.I understand and respect the views of my fellow netizens at the same time as a citizen of this country I trust the democratically elected government at the centre which will do the needful taking into account the current global economic depression.Jai Hind 

By jinu 
12/30/2008 5:53:00 PM

 Check out the irony 4 killed and 12 injured in Israel and in return 375 killed and 1000 injured.Mumbai blast,Jaipur blast,Varanasi Blast ...................................so many died but how many killed or even tried ? I wish one these politicians get some sense some day. 

By Bechara Indian 
12/30/2008 5:50:00 PM

 Shame on these Indian politicians! They got no balls like Israel does! This is more than enough that Israel has seen till now. If these dumb headed Hamas militants do not understand whats peace and they want to see only Israeli blood, then this is the right answer. Israel should graze down all these elements and rub them off the face of earth! The same should be done to all crazy fanatic headed islamic militancies all around! Dont let them spread their bloody sick Jihad, just graze them down to the ground.They will never understand peace, their Jihad teachings are for death and killings. Will our thick headed politicians ever understand this!! They are like the wind, today they support one side, tomorrow they will support the other. I am sure, Pak based rats will do more and kill more of our people and we will see these politicians only speak loud for some months flex their muscles and show the vote banks and then cool off! Dont blame the Israelis now, loo at your own backyard now and 

By Kulkarni 
12/30/2008 5:32:00 PM

 Our babus simply dont have balls to be like israel. Hamas dont understand democracy,negotiations etc.. they understand only the language of blood and the world must retaliated in the same way. IMHO, NO ONE must negotiate with islamist elements, just replace kafir<->muslim and muslim<->kafir in the koran, then we'll have a perfect military,physho doctrine to deal with MOSLEM terrorists!!! 

By puma 
12/30/2008 3:33:00 PM

 What really Indian polity wants Israel to do. Say nothing and keep on facing continuous barrage of unprovoked rocket attacks from Hamas guys and plead them not to do so and run to USA to ask Hamas to stop acting foolish and Hamas keeps on vowing to attack Israel harder than ever before. These Hamas guys just do not understand language of peace, they are getting what they deserved best and need to be battered such that they never think of indulging in terrorist attacks. India always acted against its very own national interest and even though fully in know of the facts that Pakistan was going to develop nuclear arsenal but did nothing to destroy it in its nascent stage and now Pakistan, worse than a rogue state, indulges in all kinds of damaging acts against India openly and even before India would think of acting militarily throws the threat of attacking India with nuclear weapons. So, my gentle request to all these India's self-appointed world peace promotors (in spite of Pakis 

By Kuldeep Dhiman 
12/30/2008 3:20:00 PM

 India, You are a old one. If you cannot do something , Keep queit. Your skin is too thick. Shameless 

By laxmi 
12/30/2008 3:08:00 P