The Pathankot epidode has exposed the incoherence and irresponsibility of the Modi Government when it comes to questions of national security as well as the country’s foreign policy. The Government’s handling of the episode is symptomatic of the over-centralization and lack of responsibility and accountability that has become a hallmark of the Modi model of governance. The episode raises many questions that demand an answer – if any effective lessons are to be learnt by the country.
In spite of prior intelligence inputs, terrorists were able to breach the perimeter of India’s largest Air Force base, and the lives of seven Indian personnel were lost. It is glaringly apparent that the security of the Air Force base, and the borders, are severely compromised by the drug trade in the area, in which BSF and Punjab Police personnel seem complicit.
The role of the SP and his companions who were apparently abducted and then let off by the terrorists after their car was hijacked, is under a cloud of suspicion. But it remains that even after this incident was reported, and it was clear that unauthorized persons had access to an official vehicle, the Punjab Police failed to act with any sense of urgency.
What is highly questionable is that the entire Pathankot operation was headed by the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, Ajit Doval. To which Ministry is the NSA accountable and answerable? What executive powers does the NSA enjoy, and where are these defined?
With the National Security Advisor in command, the Army troops stationed at Pathankot were barely involved, and the Air Force Base was left in the hands of the Defence Security Corps (DSC, comprising retired military personnel), some Air Force Garud commandos, and the National Security Guard troopers (who are trained and equipped to respond to hostage crises or other specific and focused operations rather than to protect a vast Air Base).
What was unforgiveable was the fact that, based presumably on inputs from the NSA, the Home Minister chose to tweet prematurely announcing the success of the counter-terror operation. The very next morning, firing continued at the Air Base and more lives of Indian security personnel were lost. Shockingly, the Defence Minister chose to dismiss the loss of lives of five DSC men as ‘bad luck.’ The fact is that the DSC forces should have been evacuated from the area during the operation.
It is likely that the Pathankot attack was aimed at derailing the peace dialogue that has recently resumed between India and Pakistan. The Indian State tends to suspend dialogue in the wake of waves of jingoism that are whipped up after a terrorist attack – and this very fact provides an incentive for terrorist attacks. The Indian Government must not allow talks to be derailed under any circumstances. The Pakistan Government has set up a probe and made some arrests – the probe must be pursued to its logical conclusion, and those responsible for the attack punished.
It is a matter of concern that the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, instead of introspecting on the lapses in his handling of the Pathankot operation, has gone on to announce, in an interview to a newspaper, that peace talks between India and Pakistan will be suspended until India is satisfied with Pakistan’s investigation. How can the National Security Advisor feel emboldened to dabble in diplomacy and speak out of turn on sensitive matters of foreign policy?
The BJP and Narendra Modi have a track record of shrill jingoism, war-mongering and communalizing of the issue of terrorism, for political purposes. The Pathankot episode has exposed their hypocrisy, and has underlined the fact that those who indulge in communal rhetoric over terrorism and anti-Pakistan jingoism cannot protect the country’s interests.
A thorough probe must be ordered into all aspects of the Pathankot episode – identifying and holding accountable all those responsible for compromising security, and for avoidable losses of lives of security personnel.
Peace between India and Pakistan is the best antidote to terrorism, and peace talks must be a priority for the Indian Government, and must not be derailed under any circumstances.
