The Pakistani nation justifiably observed Thanksgiving Day on Friday in recognition of the befitting response given to the Indian aggression by our armed forces, by the blessing of God and leaving the enemy licking its wounds. The significance of this triumph lies in the fact that our valiant armed forces inflicted a humiliating defeat on an enemy five times bigger than us. The armed forces deserve unqualified gratitude of the entire nation for achieving this memorable victory.
It was indeed a big blow to the inflated ego and delusional hubris of a staunch disciple of RSS who, since his advent as Indian Prime Minister, has been focusing on the implementation of the RSS philosophy of ‘Hindutva’ and ratcheting up enmity against Pakistan.
He has been trying to malign Pakistan at every available international forum as an exporter of terrorism and has used this false narrative to commit aggression against it.
In 2019, he used a false-flag operation at Pulwama to commit aggression against Pakistan by sending planes to attack an imaginary terrorist camp at Balakot. Still, his designs to brow-beat Pakistan were thwarted by our Air Force by downing two of its aircraft and the capture of one of its pilots, besides hitting military targets in occupied Kashmir. However, due to the timely intervention by some friendly countries and the restraint shown by Pakistan, the situation was saved from taking an ugly turn, embroiling the two nuclear powers in a full-fledged military confrontation.
Pakistan undoubtedly had won the battle. Later on, Modi admitted this reality had saying that had India acquired the French Rafael planes in time, the result would have been different. Consequently, India finalised the much-awaited deal with France for the purchase of 36 Rafale planes, which were delivered between2020-2022. India has also signed a deal for 26 more Rafael planes in April this year, which will be delivered by 2030.
Our valiant armed forces inflicted a humiliating defeat on an enemy five times bigger than us.
Modi always had the intention to settle the score with Pakistan, and after having acquired the Rafael planes and Russian S-400 missile defence system, he probably thought it was the right time to fulfil his desire. He orchestrated the massacre of tourists at Pahlgam, immediately blamed it on Pakistan and made it an excuse to launch aggression against her. Pakistan not only immediately condemned the incident but also offered to cooperate in an independent and impartial inquiry into the incident, but India neither provided any proof of Pakistani involvement nor replied to the offer for an independent probe. The Indian government and media built up war hysteria and on the night between 6th and 7th May launched an attack against Pakistan. However, the adventure again backfired as Pakistan Air Force, which was anticipating it taking defensive action, shot down five Indian planes, including 3 much-hyped Rafael. After having been defeated in the fight for ascendancy in the skies, India then unleashed drone attacks on multiple targets. Pakistan managed to destroy 88 of them.
That hit the limit of patience for the Pakistan armed forces. They launched an attack on Indian defence installations massively and destroyed several sites, including the one housing the S-400 missile defence system. It was indeed a shocking blow for India, which had underestimated the Pakistani military prowess and the resolve of the nation. It was at this juncture that, having realised its folly, the Indian government yearned for a ceasefire.
As revealed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in the Senate on Thursday, the US foreign secretary called him, saying that India wanted a ceasefire, and he told him that if India stopped hostilities, Pakistan would also cease fire. Immediately after this, the Saudi foreign minister also called him. This is how the ceasefire came into being on the basis of the Indian request, contrary to the propaganda by India.
A reputed correspondent of CNN, Nick Robertson, in his report also confirmed that India agreed to a ceasefire after massive strikes on its military installations by Pakistan. Consequently, President Trump announced the cessation of hostilities between Pakistan, implying saying he had prevented a nuclear clash between the two countries. Later, during his visit to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, he has also been taking credit for this and hinting at the possibility of inviting leaders of both countries to a dinner. He also has been expressing the desire to play a role in the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan, all along, has been striving to strike a bonhomie with India to begin a new era of relations with each other, but all efforts in this regard have been spurned, particularly since Modi became Prime Minister of India. By adopting a hostile posture against Pakistan and ending the special status of IIOJ&K by repealing Article 370 of the Indian constitution has made things more complicated, precipitating enmity between the two countries. Modi is a disciple of the RSS ideology of ‘Hindutva’. It leaders took inspiration form Nazism of Hitler. So Modi, being a staunch disciple of ‘Hindutva’, is a kind of leader who is prepared to go to any extent to fulfil his desires, even at the cost of national security and integrity, without caring for the consequences. Though the cease-fire has been enforced through the diplomatic initiative by some friendly countries and the USA, he cannot be trusted in the long run. Pakistan cannot afford to lower its guard.
Nevertheless it is perhaps an appropriate time for Pakistan to capitalize on the global support that it has earned for its narrative during this conflict and the hint dropped by US President to play a role for the settlement of Kashmir dispute to launch a diplomatic offensive to revive the issue at the UNSC and seek support of the international community for resolution of the core issue of Kashmir. To call Modi’s bluff, it is also imperative to strive for the establishment of an international commission to probe incidents of terrorism that have occurred in both countries to unravel the truth.
The writer is a former diplomat and freelance columnist.