Drama or Threat: Indian Army Wants Another Surgical Strike on Pakistan?

Is Indian Army hinting towards another surgical strike on Pakistan? As terrorism continues to plague Delhi, Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat ‘wants another surgical strike’ on ‘terror launch pads’ across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan.

The two neighbouring countries hit a new low after India recently called off a meeting between the foreign ministers of both nations due to the “brutal killings of security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of twenty stamps by Pakistan glorifying terrorism”.

Rawat said time was ripe for such action in an exclusive interview to Aaj Tak. “I believe there is a need for one more action (surgical strike). But I will not disclose how we intend to go about it,” Rawat said in the interview broadcast on Monday.

Indian Army chief threatens Pakistan with ‘painful retaliation’

“Infiltration (across the LoC) continues despite talk of a ceasefire. Pakistani state institutions have to work in tandem. The government, military and bureaucracy have to be on the same page. The situation will not be remedied till they rein the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in,” he said.

In 2016, India claimed to have carried out ‘surgical strikes’ on ‘terror launch pads across the LoC following an attack on a military base. Categorically denying Indian claims, Pakistan announced to have captured an Indian soldier the same day.

Modi govt calls off Pakistan-India foreign ministers’ UNGA meet

Relations between the two South Asian arch-rivals hit a fresh low after India recently called off a planned meeting between the foreign ministers of both countries on the sidelines of the UNGA session.

Islamabad expressed ‘deep disappointment’ over the development saying reasons cited were ‘entirely unconvincing’. The Foreign Office said the development was a sign of how India had once again wasted an opportunity for peace.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the meeting was cancelled after the “brutal killings of security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of twenty stamps by Pakistan glorifying a terrorist and terrorism”. Categorically rejecting the claims, the FO said a joint investigation team could examine the accusations.