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New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pahalgam and 26/11: Differences in India's response
Pahalgam reminded me of another even more terrifying incident that engulfed Mumbai on 26/11/ 2008. I was directly involved in the operations following this horrific episode, as I was then the Cabinet Secretary. On a languid Wednesday evening in 2008, I had returned early from the office. Around six in the evening, I received my first call from M L Kumawat, then Special Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. By a strange coincidence, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta was away in Pakistan for a meeting. Kumawat told me trouble had started in Mumbai. I rang up the Chief Secretary, Johny Joseph. His initial thought was that a terrorist incident, similar to the string of terror attacks that rocked many Indian cities in the nineties and the first decade of this century, had struck Mumbai once again. That this was a terrorist attack became clear when the ten terrorists in Mumbai continued to play their dance of death across multiple locations. The Chief Secretary sought the help of marine commandos, and the naval chief, Adm Suresh Mehta, was happy to oblige. Close to midnight, the Chief Secretary telephoned me and formally sought the help of the National Security Guard. In law and order matters, the Centre can act only at the request of the State Government. I spoke to J K Dutt, the Director General, immediately. He was ready to move, but as his force was located in Manesar, it took time to bring them to the airport, commandeer an aircraft and fly them to Mumbai. It took the NSG a little more than two days to flush out and exterminate all the terrorist vermin, except Kasab, who had been captured after he killed scores of innocent people in the Chhatrapati Shivaji railway terminus. Kasab lived for nearly four years thereafter in Mumbai prisons as judicial processes wore on. The task of the NSG was rendered far more difficult by an irresponsible media that filmed and described all their operations over the national networks, providing information from minute to minute to the handlers of the terrorists in Pakistan. While no judicial or official inquiry into the events of 26/11 was ordered at the Central level, a great deal was done to strengthen our defences and intelligence systems along the coast. In this task, executed by a Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, the State governments were fully involved, and the Navy, the Coast Guard and the State marine police set up a coordinated network. Commodore Srikant Kesnur wrote in a daily in October 2019, 'We can confidently say that our Maritime Domain Awareness is of a very high order; higher than it has ever been. Structures have been created to enhance 'jointness' among military, law and order, and intelligence agencies.'
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Operation Sindoor — a case of doubtful deterrence
The 'new normal' in India's fight against terrorism, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to establish after the horrific terror attack at Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, is neither based on complete information nor a rigorous security review of Operation Sindoor. Unlike Pakistan, India is a constitutional democracy, where major policies related to national security which impact the lives of millions of citizens need to be debated and discussed in Parliament. The political consensus vis-à-vis combating terrorism within India cannot be misused to truncate democratic processes or muzzle discussions on the fitness and the efficacy of anti-terror policies. Retaliation as deterrent? In his recent address to the nation, Mr. Modi stated that the surgical strikes following the terror attacks at Uri (September 2016), the air strikes after the February 2019 attack at Pulwama, and the recent offensive under Operation Sindoor 'define' India's policy against terrorism. Had the Indian strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in 2016 and 2019 been effective as deterrents, the Pahalgam attack should not have occurred in the first place. Can the retaliatory cross border strikes and calibrated military escalation attempted under Operation Sindoor serve as an effective deterrent? It remains doubtful due to several reasons. First, investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have not yet been able to capture the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. This is crucial not only in order to secure justice for the innocent victims, but also to prevent them from attempting another attack. Second, Mr. Modi has claimed that over a 100 deadly terrorists were eliminated in India's strikes on their hideouts and training facilities, which includes Bahawalpur and Muridke, located deep inside Pakistan's territory. Yet, the government to date has not been able to confirm the identities of the neutralised terrorists beyond five high value terrorists. In contrast, nine out of the 10 terrorists involved in the Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008 were gunned down by the Mumbai police and National Security Guard (NSG) commandos. Ajmal Kasab was arrested, interrogated, tried and sentenced to death by India's judicial system. True, the Mumbai attack was a fidayeen suicide mission. But, importantly, the investigations uncovered the terror plot hatched by the Lashkar-e-Taiba, thoroughly exposed the role played by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and eventually caught up with international terrorists such as David Headley and Tahawwur Rana; Rana was finally extradited to India from the United States in April. India was also successful in diplomatically isolating Pakistan after 26/11. Ironically, the Prime Minister's references to 'nuclear blackmail' in his recent address and his warning call to Pakistan to dismantle its 'terror infrastructure' for its own survival, expose the limits of this doctrine. The security calculus That the military establishment of Pakistan is hand in glove with terrorist organisations operating on both its eastern and western borders has been established and documented over the decades. It was vividly exposed by Indian investigations after the Mumbai terror attacks. The takeout of Osama bin Laden by the U.S. military in May 2011 from Pakistan's Abbottabad was another clear pointer. The fact remains that the military superpowers such as the U.S., China and Russia — now joined by wannabe power Türkiye — continue to supply military hardware, advanced technologies, finance and offer diplomatic assistance to the Pakistan military, being perfectly aware of their sinister end-uses. Unless this reservoir of material, strategic and diplomatic support for Pakistan's military-terrorism complex, dries up, effective deterrence cannot be achieved. A realistic cost-benefit analysis of Operation Sindoor should objectively assess the damage inflicted on the Indian side not only in terms of military lives and hardware but also in terms of civilian lives lost in Pakistani shelling across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. Obfuscation of such human casualties and operational losses does little to enhance India's credibility in the global arena. Notwithstanding the Prime Minister's rhetoric on 'Made in India' weapons being tested and proven in Operation Sindoor — establishing India's superiority in 'new age warfare' — the crucial weapons systems used by India during the conflict are its expensive procurements from French, Russian and Israeli suppliers. Pakistan's arms inventory includes procurements from China, Russia, the U.S. and Türkiye. These foreign suppliers of high-tech arms are the only winners in such 'new age warfare', with no clear victor or the vanquished among the parties in actual conflict. The alacrity with which the U.S. intervened to terminate Operation Sindoor and sought to impose a ceasefire serves as a reality check for India's security and foreign policy establishment. The near-simultaneous nuclear weaponisation of both India and Pakistan from the late 1990s has created a durable ground for international intervention in any conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours, weakening the edifice of the Simla Agreement, signed after India's decisive victory in the 1971 Bangladesh war. Earlier, it was only Pakistan which wanted to internationalise its territorial conflict with India over Kashmir, while India consistently resisted any departure from the bipartite framework. With India's increasing acceptance of U.S. mediation over time — evident from the recent ceasefire with Pakistan — another nail has been driven into the coffin of the Simla Agreement. Strategic reset required There is a plausible case for India to explore pathways of engaging with Pakistan in the context of changes in the geopolitical landscape and global power dynamics in the past five decades. Terrorism motivated by religious bigotry, with or without state sponsorship, has, indeed, emerged as a complex strategic threat for nation-states across the world. However, the new anti-terror doctrine articulated by Mr. Modi falls short on retrospective insight, being premised on the same tried-and-failed formula of the war on terror by the U.S. and Israel. With its nuclear trigger as existing leverage, the Pakistan military shall now have an additional trigger to start a new cycle of terror and conflict with India. Rather, priority must be accorded to the NIA investigation and bringing the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack to justice. This is vital for the credibility of India's anti-terror stance. Diplomatic efforts should be renewed to persuade the U.S., China and Russia to stop arming and financing the military-terrorist complex in Pakistan. India needs to work together with all international stakeholders to restore civilian rule and democracy in Pakistan, which alone can defuse religious extremism and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure. This is not an easily attainable objective, but is certainly a more practicable and realistic one, compared to dystopian military non-solutions. An informed parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor and the Prime Minister's new anti-terror doctrine is essential before it actually becomes the 'new normal'. Prasenjit Bose is an economist and activist
India Today
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
From borders to boardrooms, women are rewriting India's leadership story
During the Indian armed forces' media briefings on Operation Sindoor, two faces stood out: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Both took charge with authority, exuding composure and allaying fears. From the battlefield to the boardroom, Indian women are taking charge, and this change did not happen GUARDIndia Today's Data Intelligence Unit analysed the number of women in uniform and observed a steady change. In police forces across India, women comprise just under 10 per cent of total personnel — a jump from the past decades, but still far from ideal. Women personnel are more visible in civil policing roles (15 per cent), with fewer in elite units like the National Security Guard (0.7 per cent).advertisement Women's representation in the Indian Army increased from 3.8 per cent in 2020 to 4.1 per cent in 2024. In the Air Force, it has remained at around 13.4 per cent, while it has grown in the Navy from 5.5 per cent to 6.8 per SURGEWomen are taking leadership roles in businesses head-on, steadily claiming spaces once dominated by men across startups. The number of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade-recognised startups with at least one woman director jumped from just 36 per cent in 2017 to 51 per cent in 2024. States like Maharashtra (14,284), Delhi (8,012), and Karnataka (8,000) have emerged as hubs of female change is also visible in managerial positions. While men continue to hold the larger share of leadership roles in the last decade, the presence of women has been growing steadily. From 2017 to 2025, the number of women in boardrooms doubled, from 4.5 lakh to 9.1 lakh, and their representation in senior management grew from 23,685 to 38,745. Similarly, in other management roles, women increased from 4.3 lakh to 8.8 lakh in 2025. However, women's overall share has increased only slightly in all the & GENDERadvertisementIt is crucial to have women representation in the justice system. As per the data, out of the total (1,122) approved judicial positions for Supreme and High Courts in India till December 2024, only six per cent (2) and 14 per cent (106) are held by women in the Supreme Court and High Courts, respectively. However, in civil service, nearly every fourth selected candidate is a per 2021 data, 27 per cent of qualified candidates were women. This is a considerable jump compared to the numbers a decade ago, when it was just 21 per figures tell a story not just of participation but of persistence. Each increase in women's representation is a glass ceiling broken through perseverance and policy. The presence of two women defence officers as spokespersons for Operation Sindoor shows how far we've InTrending Reel
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Ahead of Rath Yatra, DGP reviews security
Puri: Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra in Puri, DGP Y B Khurania on Monday reviewed security arrangements here and rolled out a riot-control vehicle 'Vajra' for the protection of the Shree Jagannath Temple in the coastal town, officials said. He inspected the 'Vajra' near the temple here before the vehicle was deployed for the protection of the 12th-century shrine. The DGP reviewed the security preparedness for the Rath Yatra to be held on June 27, and also in the wake of the current situation along the India-Pakistan border. 'I reviewed security arrangements in Puri for the Rath Yatra. Senior officials from the police headquarters attended the meeting, and there was a detailed discussion on security. The police arrangement for the festival is almost in the final stage. Attention is given on the security inside the temple and outside of the shrine,' Khurania told reporters. He also said the police officials discussed on crowd control, traffic management and other aspects. During a visit to the shrine, the DGP assessed the readiness of police and security personnel stationed near the temple to prevent potential threats and ensure the safety of pilgrims. Taking to X, the Odisha Police said, 'DGP Shri Yogesh Bahadur Khurania held detailed discussions with senior officers regarding the smooth management of the upcoming Snana Yatra and the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, crowd control, smooth management of traffic system, movement of dignitaries and orderly 'darshan' and safe chariot pulling, etc.' Khurania also reviewed the engagement of modern security infrastructure, CCTV monitoring, rapid response units and coordination with local authorities. 'The DGP oversaw the crowd control measures, traffic management, vehicle parking and actions to be taken in an emergency during the Rath Yatra,' a senior official said, adding that the festival will be held for about a fortnight in the last week of June. The DGP has asked the authorities concerned not to lower the existing guards and maintain security protocols even though India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea. Heavy deployment of security personnel in and around the Puri temple has been noticed since the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor to retaliate against the Pahalgam terror attack. At least eight platoons of personnel were deployed in and around the temple, the officials said. The force deployment would be strengthened as the Rath Yatra festival approaches. Earlier this month, a team of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos conducted a routine security review. The DGP also reviewed the measures taken at four marine police stations located in Puri district, deployment of lifeguards on the beach and the outreach programme for the fishing community, the officials added.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ahead Rath Yatra, Odisha DGP reviews security arrangements in Puri
Puri, Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri, DGP Y B Khunaria on Monday reviewed security arrangements here and rolled out a riot-control vehicle 'Vajra' for the protection of the Shree Jagannath Temple in the coastal town, officials said. He inspected the 'Vajra' near the temple here before the vehicle was deployed for the protection of the 12th-century shrine, they said. The DGP reviewed the security preparedness for the Rath Yatra to be held on June 27, and also in the wake of the current situation along the India-Pakistan border. 'I reviewed security arrangements in Puri for the Rath Yatra. Senior officials from the police headquarters attended the meeting, and there was a detailed discussion on security. The police arrangement for the festival is almost in the final stage. Attention is given on the security inside the temple and outside of the shrine," Khurania told reporters. He also said the police officials discussed on crowd control, traffic management and other aspects. During a visit to the shrine, the DGP assessed the readiness of police and security personnel stationed near the temple to prevent potential threats and ensure the safety of pilgrims. Taking to X, the Odisha Police said, "DGP Shri Yogesh Bahadur Khurania held detailed discussions with senior officers regarding the smooth management of the upcoming Sannan Yatra and the world-famous Rath Yatra in Puri, crowd control, smooth management of traffic system, movement of dignitaries and orderly darshan and safe chariot pulling, etc." Khurania also reviewed the engagement of modern security infrastructure, CCTV monitoring, rapid response units, and coordination with local authorities. 'The DGP oversaw the crowd control measures, traffic management, vehicle parking, and actions to be taken in an emergency during the Rath Yatra,' a senior official said, adding that the festival will be held for about a fortnight in the last week of June. The DGP has asked the authorities concerned not to lower the existing guards and maintain security protocols even though India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea. Heavy deployment of security personnel in and around the Puri temple has been noticed since the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor to retaliate to the Pahalgam terror attack. At least eight platoons of personnel were deployed in and around the temple, the officials said. The force deployment would be strengthened as the Rath Yatra festival approaches, the official said. Earlier this month, a team of National Security Guard commandos conducted a routine security review. The DGP also reviewed the measures taken in four marine police stations located in Puri district, deployment of lifeguards on the beach, the outreach programme for the fishing community, the officials added.
