India Against Terror: A Strong Prime Minister Makes The Difference!

It was just another attack on the Indian security forces in the terror ridden North Eastern region of the country. Only that it was one of the worst attacks in decades. On 4^th of June, 2015 terrorists ambushed an army convoy in Manipur and butchered 18 soldiers and injured 11 more. The heinous terror attack seemed, as usual, to figure only in the book of records with some observations made about the folly of a supposedly vulnerable army movement on that fateful day. However, things took a dramatic turn this time.

Within five days of the terror attack the Indian Army embarked upon a surgical strike on the India-Myanmar border, reportedly going into the Myanmar territory, and hunted down and killed the perpetrators of the Manipur ambush. Equipped with accurate intelligence feeds the Army successfully launched a clinically precise and ruthless assault on the terrorists in an operation lasting only 40 minutes not having time even to count the number of terrorists gunned down. So far we have been used to hearing stories of the US Commandos, Marshall or Military or Navy Seals carrying out such strikes inside enemy territories and eliminating dreaded terrorists and their hideouts. Refreshingly this time this happens in our own country India and what an effective message it sends out to the enemies of humanity.

Normally a country with adorable levels of tolerance and goodwill, always waiting for others to respond positively to all such tragedies, suddenly transforms its ‘soft response’ into ‘hot pursuit’ and for the first time conducts a joint operation with a neighbouring country on a Mission Counter-Terrorism. How did it come about? Well, precisely because post May-2014 India have had a strong government installed at the centre with a strong Prime Minister whose sterling qualities and innovative approach have already established him a visionary cum leader.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had just returned from a visit to Bangladesh—a strategic neighbouring country whose cooperation in crucial areas can always be game changing. Immediately thereafter into the late night hours he okayed the ‘hot pursuit’ and allowed the Indian Army to strike back. Zero Tolerance against terrorism was announced with a lot of meaningfulness and effectiveness now. The earlier government too pursued a policy of zero tolerance against so many evils, but that was mere policy with the so-called ‘coalition politics’ dominating and making the government bite the dust so often. To be precise, India did not have a strong Prime Minister or a strong government that time.

Since taking over the helms on 26^th May, 2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been leading from the front with innovative schemes-projects and a fresh interactive approach taking even the common people into confidence. ‘Policy Paralysis’ of the earlier government is long past and gone. His people-oriented economic-financial-social schemes have been welcomed all over and are benefiting millions. He has been cheered as hero whatever foreign country he has visited in the past one year—from America-Europe to China-Japan-Mongolia-Myanmar-Bangladesh. His fan following all over the globe is getting bigger and bigger threatening that of the mega film stars. What is important, Narendra Modi has been doing the right things in the right places—understanding perfectly what is required to be done in what areas as far as a particular foreign nation is concerned. The Indian Prime Minister is ushering in a unique kind of diplomacy be it with President Obama or Sheikh Hasina. If the fringe elements of his political party and associated organizations finally see reason and understand the Indian realities the Narendra Modi government would be the best option for India in the years to come.

The Indian Army operation has been hailed all over the nation with even rival political parties unable to politicize the development. The Indian Government has made it loud and clear that this operation is intended to convey a message to all aggressors or terrorists and the countries supposedly assisting and abetting them. The era of ‘tolerance and softness’ is over and from now onwards any act of aggression or any terror attack or sponsored terror attack on Indian territory or on Indian civilians would not be tolerated and would be retaliated with dire consequences inside or outside India. Although the Government did not specifically point out the crucial neighbour for this message is indeed Pakistan—a nation ravaged by terror and forced to comply with terror. Pakistan must understand better now and must make an effort to put an end to its state of eternal denial. The final target is lasting peace only.

Global Terror: The Frightening Reality!

Till that unbelievable 9/11 attack terror did not seem to be a global phenomenon. But since then terror became an industry with the formation of many groups having their bases in countries like India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Internal factors of these countries made themselves prime targets of the attacks. India has been bearing the brunt of it in a major way since 1993 with many of its cities continuing to be soft targets. The US interests—financial, military or strategic—in these countries and the growing conflicts thereof finally brought terror to the US in a most inhuman way in terms of the 9/11 attack in 2001. Al-Qaeda emerged as the global force of terrorism. However, even then it could be said that terror did not assume a global role thanks to efforts on counter-terrorism by USA and to some extent India. After more than a decade terror returned to America in April, 2013 in terms of the Boston Attack and last Monday’s (September 16) attack on the US Naval Base where shooter (s) killed 12 people is still shrouded in mystery regarding any possible angle to terrorism. Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan continued to bleed all the while and India got hit again after a gap of 2/3 years. The scenario is fast changing and the frightening reality of a Global Jihadism is just about unfolding.

Now, Kenya, Pakistan and Iraq in the space of just one day—all mindless, barbaric and demonic attacks. On Saturday a series of bomb blasts killed at least 96 innocents. Night the same day terrorists mounted a cowardly on a crowded up-market mall in Nairobi. Around 10/15 gunmen mowed down the innocents with gunfire and even grenades that continued to Sunday today. At least 60 people including 2 Indians were killed and about 200 injured. The attack bearing a sinister similarity to 26/11 Mumbai terror attack is still not over as several terrorists are still suspected to be inside the mall holding hostages. Shebab, a terrorist group belonging to Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack citing revenge for Kenya’s military action in Somalia. And on Sunday today, two suicide bombers blew themselves up in front of a historic church in Pakistan killing more than 60 (rose to 78 later) innocents. This is seen as the biggest terror attack on Christian minority in Pakistan. What follows next and in which town or cities of which country it is hazardous even to guess. 

High time India evolve an global counter-terrorism policy in close association and cooperation of other countries like America. For India stakes are not only at home, but considering large chunks of Indian population in many other countries India must take the responsibility of protecting its citizens. The US is becoming increasingly unwilling to take up counter-terrorism operations single-handedly and therefore a global effort is need of the hour. Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh while reacting to a day of unprecedented terror violence emphasized just this fact. For this India need strong and committed leaders. High time political leaders come out of politics in national interest. It hardly helps matters that on Friday the 20^thSeptember a terror suspect of the Indian Mujaheddin just ran away from a court in Mumbai and Mumbai police did not have a clue for two hours. An intensive manhunt is still on to track the terrorist. Get ready now for any eventuality anywhere in the world. Time is running out.