The Pulwama Terror Attack and the War We Must Avoid

-Shalini Singh

On 14th February 2019, a convoy carrying CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir was rammed into by a
Scorpio SUV containing explosives. This resulted in the death of 40 soldiers of the 76th Battalion, and
left many others injured. Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan, claimed
responsibility for the attack. This isn’t the first time that the Indian security forces have been targeted, but
it is the deadliest attack on them since the 2001 bombing of the J&K Assembly.

How the Attack Unfolded

In the early hours of February 14, a convoy of 78 vehicles transporting more than 2500 soldiers of the
CRPF was passing through NH 44. The highway had been shut for two days preceding the incident,
which explained the high number of troops. The convoy was aiming to reach its destination before sunset.
At Lethpora, however, one of the buses was rammed into by a Mahindra Scorpio SUV carrying
explosives weighing 150-200 kilograms. The collision resulted in the death of 40 personnel of the 76th
Battalion, while injuring many others. JeM released a video of the assailant, Adil Ahmed Dar, a 22 year
old from Kakapora in Jammu and Kashmir.

Investigations carried out by the National Security Guard revealed that in the last one year, Dar has made
multiple visits to Pakistan. This also brought into light the new strategy adopted by the terrorist outfit - to
recruit Indian youth, and train them to carry out suicide bombings.
Why the Method of India’s Retaliation Matters

In the Cold War era, both the US as well as the USSR had nuclear capabilities. Both wanted to emerge as
the more powerful bloc. But the war remained cold - a mere battle of ideologies. This was due to mutual
understanding of the logic of deterrence. It was understood and accepted that both of them were
competent in nuclear warfare, and possessed the deadliest weapons of their time. But at the same time,
mutual consensus was also achieved about the futility of such a war, where both sides would suffer such
heavy losses that neither would be victorious in the end. The human cost of war would be too high, so the
US and the USSR decided to not engage in a full-scale hot war.

Decades later today, we are in a similar situation. India and Pakistan, who have been at loggerheads since
the Partition of 1947, now walk on thin ice. A nuclear war between the two could prove to be fatal for the
populations of both the countries. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, said that given that it is an
election year in India, he understands the need for all polity to bash Pakistan. But he also warned that
Pakistan wouldn’t hold talks before retaliating to any action taken by India. Indeed, PM Modi’s stance on
the situation has only provided him with a solid political stronghold. But political gains must not trump
over the existence of an entire nation, or the lives of soldiers.

India initially responded by working towards the complete diplomatic isolation of Pakistan.

● India revoked Pakistan's most favored nation status.

● The customs duty on all Pakistani goods imported to India was raised to 200 per cent.
● The government of India plans to provide the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering
with a dossier outlining Pakistan's involvement in the attack
● On 17 February, the administration of Jammu & Kashmir revoked security provisions for
separatist leaders.
● The All Indian Cine Workers Association also announced on Monday (18th February) that it
would ban the production or release of media content by Pakistani artists in the country, saying
they will resort to strong action against anyone who collaborates with talent from Pakistan.
● Sushma Swaraj in China justified the air strikes, saying that Pakistan refused to act upon the
presence of the JeM settlements within its territory.

Methods of diplomatic isolation were followed by air strikes carried out by the IAF on February 26. In a
pre-dawn strike, Mirage 2000 fighter jets attacked a resort-like JeM camp in Balakot, across the LoC.
Pakistani spokespersons denied any such event, and said that the only damage they saw had been done to
trees.

But later, in the Rajouri and Poonch areas of J&K, the Pakistani army resorted to heavy mortar shelling,
wounding 5 soldiers of the Indian Army.
In the early hours of February 27, an Mi-17 helicopter of the IAF crashed in Budgam, J&K, due to
technical difficulties. Two pilots and three civilians lost their lives in the incident.

Later, Pakistan claimed that it shot down two Indian aircrafts - of which one crashed in PoK, while the
other went down in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s military spokesperson Major General Asif
Ghafoor tweeted this news, and also claimed that an Indian pilot had been taken into custody by
them. They released a video which allegedly features Wing Commander Abhinandan of the IAF,
blindfolded, and speaking out his details. The IAF hasn’t confirmed if it is him yet, but in a
statement, has said that Wing Commander Abhinandan is missing in action.

The Indian Air Force also shot down one of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets. The pilot was seen
ejecting with his parachute, but there is no update on his condition or whereabouts. Pakistan has
continued to dismiss any losses, and its spokesperson claimed that no F-16 fighter jets were used
in any operations.

What could have been limited to dialogue has now escalated into an armed conflict which may
soon transform into a war, given the severity and frequency of offences in a single day. This is
the first time that two nuclear powers have attempted to conduct airstrikes in each other's
territories. This is, however, a different sort of war situation. The most active weaponry is
possessed by the media - that of conveying false information to instigate populations.

Presently, the best any citizen can do is to check information that is conveyed to them, and not
believe everything that is forwarded to them, regardless of the source. They mustn’t attribute any
triumphs to the ruling party at this crucial time before elections.