The killing of five Indian soldiers on the Line of Control in the Poonch sector by the commandos of the Pakistan Border Action Team has not only saddened and frustrated people but also made them demand a strong retaliatory punch. Politicians, for their part, display deep patriotism and condemn such cowardly acts in Parliament. Once they leave Parliament, they take no sincere action to help the affected families or draw up policy directions. It is back to business and the incident is seen as a routine matter on the borders.
A war is no solution as there are no real winners. It will only result in more bloodshed and dent the economy of both nations. There is need to strengthen military-to-military channels of communication to prevent such incidents which are the result of short-sighted actions.
Gp Capt Allam Prabhakar (retd.),
Visakhapatnam
To describe those who call for a realistic reassessment of the India-Pakistan relationship as “ >chicken hawks ” (Aug. 9) is wrong. The writer’s idea of peace at any cost is akin to building castles in the air. There is a third way of dealing with Pakistan that is markedly different from the fruitless confidence-building schemes of the last decade or the belligerence of the years past. Seal the borders and cease all commercial ties to signal that words are not enough. They must be followed by concrete action.
While blessed are the peacemakers, they should understand that Pakistan is beset with internal contradictions. It is controlled by the military and militias, over which the elected civilian government has no effective control. The fanciful notion that confidence-building measures will empower those who desire genuine peace with India has been demolished.
G. Parameswaran,
Coimbatore
It is good to be optimistic about our relationship with Pakistan but it is also necessary to be pragmatic. Pakistan has been in a state of drift since it was formed and owes its survival to the U.S. The latter has its own interests in the region which need not necessarily be those of Pakistan. Barring intellectual groups, a majority of Pakistanis are yet to accept democracy as a vehicle for meaningful progress. Can Nawaz Sharif with all his sincerity go against his army?
S. Rajagopalan,
Chennai
India has adhered to the policy of building bridges with Pakistan for years, despite repeated setbacks. Adverse public opinion is clearly hardening, and must be accommodated. We must change, taking ground realities into account. The Pakistan Army determines the country’s India policy, and will continue to do so. Engagement with Islamabad yields results only when a strong military dictator is in office. New Delhi must find ways to negotiate with the Pakistan Army.
Mohan Raman,
Chennai
India has had enough of bilateral talks with Pakistan. It should awaken from its slumber and fight for its dignity and integrity, so that the death of the five soldiers does not go in vain.
Edith Jacob,
Jaipur
This refers to the report “ >Pakistan’s special forces did it, says Antony ” (August 9). The Defence Minister’s new statement, changing the earlier one, might have assuaged the tempers of the Opposition but the damage is already done. While issuing statements of national import, there is need to prepare them carefully lest they should offer scope for ambiguity.
H.P. Murali,
Bangalore
The ambush was well planned and co-ordinated and could have been carried out only by trained troops. It was wrong to assume that the attackers were terrorists because they used the hit-and-run tactic. That Mr. Antony did not make the first statement on the basis of what the army told him is unfortunate.
Rahul Thakur,
Kanpur
