BackSurgical strike against Pakistan excellent morale booster for army: Fali Major
It's an absolutely fantastic responselong awaitedbut very wonderfully conducted, well executed and it has sent a clear message to Pakistan that we mean business now, says former IAF chief Fali Major
Premium
New Delhi: The surgical strikes carried out on Pakistani-controlled Kashmir were well coordinated and will boost the morale of the armed forces, former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Fali Major, has said.
“It is an excellent morale booster not just for the armed forces but for the whole country," Major said in an interview, “It’s an absolutely fantastic response—long awaited—but very wonderfully conducted, well executed and it has sent a clear message to Pakistan that we mean business now. Forget the earlier days."
Major, who served as the IAF chief between 2007-2009, said that military had considered strikes during his tenure after many terrorist attacks but there was no go ahead from the then government.
This year the armed forces have been hit by terror attacks several times including an attack on an IAF base in Pathankot, Uri military camp and Pampore, killing 35 soldiers and injuring dozens others.
On 18 September, Pakistan-backed terrorists attacked the Uri army camp taking the tensions between the countries to the levels seen before the 1999 Kargil war. The attack killed 18 soldiers, many from the fire caused in the camp.
The army had then said it reserves “the right to respond at a time and place of our choosing" and that it has “the desired capability to respond to such blatant acts of aggression and violence as deemed appropriate".
Also read: India crosses LoC, Rubicon with surgical strikes
Ten days later the army went in. The army conducted strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) against terrorist launch pads overnight on Wednesday inflicting heavy damage, the army’s director general of military operations (DGMO) Ranbir Singh said on Thursday.
“Post Uri it has come at the right time. Absolutely. After a very good thought and after exercising all other diplomatic and political actions—done very correctly," Major said.
The former IAF chief commended the planning of the attacks between the armed forces.
“It was a very well coordinated planned and executed operation with the coordination of all agencies and executed precisely and without any casualties which is quite amazing," he said.
Also read: Six takeaways from India’s surgical strikes across LoC
Pakistan has denied the surgical strikes claiming there were “no surgical strike by India,instead there had been cross border fire initiate" which killed two of its soldiers.
Major said the deniability means nothing. “Their deniability doest mean anything to us. The world knows that we have actually done it," he said. Major, however, asked the government to be alert.
“The retaliation and reprisal is very difficult to gauge but before launching this operation all those precautions would have been taken and things must be already in place," he said. “But the government should be prepared always and respond to any Pakistan adventure at all times."
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
