Op Sindoor: What has Emerged?

On Operation Sindoor and what it set off, there has been endless news, fake news, wishful news and “what one hoped was true” all jostling for attention and belief. Even now, the dust has not settled and both sides claim victory.

 

It is in this context that I found Pranay Kotasthane’s post refreshing. He says India’s action was significant on 3 fronts: (1) It struck terror hubs not just in PoK but also deep inside Pakistan “proper”; (2) There was no element of surprise; the build up wasn’t hidden though Pakistan didn’t know what exactly would happen. Or where. Or when exactly; (3) It was proportionate and limited to hit only elements Pakistan pretends it has nothing to do with.

 

Either the Pakistanis are brazen and/or they can’t fully control certain terrorists came out when:

“The photos of a US-designated terrorist leading the funeral function of terrorists’ coffins draped in Pakistani flags, with Pakistani military officials in the background, further reduced its credibility.”

 

At the end of it, what has emerged?

 

(1) India has shown it can hit inside Pakistan, take out air defence systems and runways in air force bases, all without troops or fighter jets crossing the border. This raises the stakes enormously for Pakistan. What might happen next time? Which terror strike will invite such (or even bigger) response? Plus, China didn’t step in to help their dear friend militarily…

 

(2) No matter what the country’s economic condition, the continuous need for IMF (and other) funding, the Pakistani military-jihadi complex is unaffected. Money will always be made available to those two, regardless of the state of the entire country. That is not going to change.

 

(3) Even in the age of the Internet, with neither country having any excessive censorship capabilities on what people can view:

“Information ecosystems of two adversaries can be managed and partitioned to an extent that each side can claim victory.”

 

I liked the post for its non-jingoistic and factual take on what has emerged.

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