As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, it's essential to celebrate the valor of our soldiers, but equally important to confront the uncomfortable questions that have been swept under the carpet. What was our intelligence apparatus doing back then? How did such a large-scale enemy movement go unnoticed? These are questions that remain unanswered, and no one has been held accountable. Now that it's part of history, the focus should be on whether we've improved in terms of weapons, strategy, and leadership.
1. Weapons
While the current political leadership has pushed hard for indigenous defense manufacturing under "Make in India," challenges persist. There seems to be a lack of coordination between the armed forces and manufacturing agencies. In drone technology, we lag behind even smaller nations. We still don’t have an indigenous engine for fighter jets, affecting the delivery schedule of the Tejas Mk 1A due to dependency on GE engines. The declining strength of the Air Force remains a pressing concern.
The root issue lies in bureaucratic red tape and the forces' occasional preference for average imports from the West. The solution? Greater involvement of private players who operate with a performance-driven mindset and can speed up production timelines. Additionally, we need to promote a robust R&D culture right from the school level to create a generation of technical experts.
2. Strategy
The appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to streamline theater command operations is a commendable step. We hope to see this transformation become a reality soon.
Beyond structural changes, employing covert tactics, such as anonymous strikes and leveraging ethnic unrest in enemy territories, seems effective. However, one concern remains—how the forces handle Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in sensitive regions. Officers like Major Gogoi and Col Acharya, who took bold steps to create deterrence, should be lauded rather than punished. A strong, decisive approach is necessary to neutralize threats before they escalate.
3. Leadership Approach
The current leadership deserves credit for authorizing surgical and airstrikes. However, after 2019, major terror attacks have not been met with similar decisive responses. There seems to be a shift toward a "Gandhian" approach across political leadership, making India reactive rather than proactive.
Given our knowledge of Pakistani military-backed terror launchpads, why do we wait for infiltration instead of preemptively striking? With advanced weapons like Apache helicopters, BrahMos missiles, and Rafale jets, what holds us back? Every soldier lost fighting terrorists is a tragic loss for the nation. It's time to abandon traditional, defensive measures and adopt an aggressive stance.
We must remember that India is a land of warriors. From Shri Ram's journey to Lanka to vanquish Ravan, Shri Krishna's justice after enduring a hundred insults, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's dream of Hindavi Swaraj to Raj Raja Chola's maritime expansion, our history is filled with examples of righteous warfare. Our ancestors fought for Dharma, and so should we when the need arises. False narratives of passive non-violence must be set aside.
A Tribute to Our Brave Soldiers
I bow in reverence to the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring our territory remained intact. To the families who continue to wait for their loved ones who never returned, the nation remains forever indebted. If a war is ever fought again, may it be on enemy soil, not ours.
Jai Hind!
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