by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Four-pronged strategy to deal with Uri attack
NIA collects DNA samples of 4 JeM terrorists
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, Sept. 20
A four-pronged strategy is under consideration of the Central government to deal with the situation arising out of the Uri attack by the Pakistan-trained terrorists.
As part of the decision taken on Monday at a high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to isolate Pakistan globally, foreign secretary S Jayashankar cut short his visit to Vienna and returned home to help in executing the action plan.
The on-going UN General Assembly where external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will speak, may be the first global test for India. Minister of state for external affairs M J Akbar would raise the Uri attack at a meeting of foreign ministers in New York on Wednesday. It has also been decided to isolate Pakistan in South Asia as well. Since Afghanistan and Bangladesh have already lent support to India, it is yet to be seen if other SAARC nations agree to join India's cause. The SAARC conference, to be held in Pakistan, would be important from India's perspective.
India is also considering option to seek economic sanctions against Pakistan though strong direct evidence will be required to convince the world leaders. India has succeeded in persuading the USA to a large extent to reduce financial aid to Pakistan if not cut it altogether. Another proposal mooted during informal discussions is to consider if India should withdraw the Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status granted to Pakistan. Though Pakistan never returned the gesture, Modi's policy makers are toying with the idea to call the bluff. But there is no unanimity on this issue so far.
The policy makers are also wrestling with the question of responding to the Uri attack without falling into the Pakistan trap of "internationalising" the Kashmir dispute. This apart, the home and defence ministries have also been directed to put their own house in order. The PM has directed that infiltration from the Uri border was an impossibility unless there is local support. Therefore, all out efforts be made to plug this deficiency. Secondly, the all-out efforts be made to prevent "Fidayeen attacks" particularly in cases where there is advance information. Those supporting the terrorists from across the border be dealt with a heavy hand, is the sermon.
The government is of the view that Uri attack will help forces clamp down on separatists and Pakistani elements in the Kashmir Valley. The killing of eight terrorists on Tuesday is an indication of the new offensive launched by the forces in the Valley. One option for the military is to activate the LoC, attacking Pakistani posts with artillery and mortars. The army can inflict disproportionate punishment on the Pakistan army. However, the military has been advised caution on this score.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has collected blood and other samples from the four terrorists who attacked the army base at Uri. The NIA is also examining the weapons, GPS ammunition and maps -- which terrorists carried with them -- to identify and retrace the route they took to infiltrate into India. All this will help India expose Pakistan at the world fora.
