Assassination of General Qasim Soleimani was the best plan for Americans. His killing was both legitimate as well as necessary.That is how Donald Trump and his confederates are trying to convince Americans and world at large.The company (a synonym used for CIA) was planning thispreemptive attack since long.It must have taken few months of planning for CIA targeters, the actual high value target hunters and detectives.Iranians,despite open indications, were not at all ready for this. CIA was already working on the environment to shape it against Iran or at least an effort was being made to create a condition where Iran’s influence in Iraq ismadecompletely unacceptable to Iraqis. Over a month ago a mob claiming to be tired and sickof Iranian interference in Iraq, attacked Iranian consulate in Najaf. Iranians should have noted this with seriousness. The way Qasim was hit with pinpoint precision, it seems the ingenious Al-Quds General took a well-camouflagedbait unaware of a well knitted trap set at Baghdad through a sting operation. We will learn the details of this assassination in days to come.
Establishment in United States mistakenly thought that it would be a “stop a war” with Iran. However assassination of General Qasim seems to be a war trigger that has been pulled. Iran is taking this assassination as an open challenge by to Iranian interests and it looks like that Iran is not getting over it. Red flag already hoisted over shrines and mosques indicate that Iranians would not keep Trump administration waiting for long.
The history of killing high profile enemies by opposing states is not new phenomenon. Complex intelligence operations have always been part of a cleverly crafted military strategy to remove principal hurdles. To achieve this end, even during peacetime rival countries and the opposing intelligence agencies remain busy round the clock in preparing sinister plans.Sometime these clandestine operations are directed to forestall a hostile action and some time these are conducted to avenge losses suffered by a side or punish the perpetrator. Operation “Wrath of God” also known as Operation “Bayonet is an excellent instance where Mossadbeing authorized by Israeli Prime Minister, assassinated several members of Palestinian Black September and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). So, the trend of punishing suspected culprits by countries at their own is quite an old idea. However, taking down a high profile official is something not frequently seen in the military history.
With a successfully locked down over 30% of Indian army in internal counter insurgency roles, Indian Army and the xenophobic war mongering Indian media may win an imaginary surgical strike only
Soleimani was being alleged by United States to be involved in hurting American interests. In short, the slain General is being held responsible for every wrong that happened to Americans. US establishment believed or pretended to believe that Soleimani was poised to do more harm to the casualty sensitive Americans. Media went bit far by relating him to 9/11 attacks as well. Thus for Americans, taking out the bad guy was more than necessary. However, this unconcealed and brazen act has introduced a new tactic and concept.
So far such operations were conducted in a clandestine manner that it was easy to disown whenever situation demanded. This time hide the actual planner has openly accepted the credit and made this tactic an openly acceptable and reasonable response by any country to neutralize a serious threat. After this incident an attack to neutralize a high value enemy has been formally legitimized. It has become logical to think that why other countries including Pakistan should not follow this trend with impunity and eliminate the threat where ever it is before it does more harm.
Pakistan has been a victim of clandestine operations run by RAW agents. RAW handlers managed atrocious terrorist incidents causing huge losses to Pakistan. The statistics of our losses speak for themselves. Likes of Kulbhushan Jadhavhave always remained busy in making sinister plans of terrorism against Pakistan. They have been doing so on directions of their handlers like Samant Goel and Ajit Dovalsitting in comfortable offices in CGO complex in New Delhi.Pakistan exactly knows who has been responsible for so many terrorists’ attacks in the country. Thus a one might think that a time may come when Pakistan decides to tread the same path as Americans did.
Pakistan is a responsible country and understands the norms of internal laws and obligations. Probably such a stupid idea might never cross the minds of our spies and policy makers. But it would be ridiculous to think that having done so much of damage to Pakistan, the top terrorist handlers will be at complete vacation. Surely they would still be doing as much harm as Qasim Soliemani might be planning against Americans.However, one may fear that an assassination may happen not by design but by default.
The recent legislative conflagrating overtures in India particularly the simmering explosive situation in Kashmir has badly disrupted the internal security matrix of India. Public reaction to the discriminatory citizenship law has torn apart the social fabric of country. Situation in Kashmir is at its worst while hundreds of thousand Indian troops are barely managing clamp down in held valley. Fissiparous movements in India including the in North and North East are gaining strength. In such a scenario, what would happen if an enemy of Pakistan is taken down? What if Ajit Doval or anybody else who bled Pakistan through clandestine operations are punished for what they have done to our country. So many of internal enemy groups self-created by Indian repressive policies could be planning so at their own.
Therewould be a definite reaction from India as usual. India would activate LoCand assemble troops at the borders starting an immediate standoff. But Pakistan has become use to such standoffs. The latest one was in February 2019 just after Pulwama attack which like previous tensions fizzled out. Pakistan’s nuclear deterrenceis credible and would be enough to keep India away from any misadventure. Despite all the chest thumping India cannot wage a conventional war on Pakistan. With a successfully locked down over 30% of Indian army in internal counter insurgency roles, Indian Army and thexenophobic war mongering Indian media may win an imaginary surgical strike only. But let’s hope such a scenario does not happen. We in Pakistan also hope that sanity prevails with the Indian handlers who are feeding and harboring enemies of Pakistan.
The writer is a versatile analyst and a speaker on contemporary issues