BY Pak sponsored terrorism has again become a serious threat in Jammu and Kashmir testifying the assertion made by Farooq Abdullah that Pakistan has not worn bangles. These terrorist attacks have been carried out with impunity which is not possible without the logistic support provided by the sleeper cells. The counter terrorism operations carried out by the armed forces have not led to the neutralization of the ultras suggesting the complicity of the local people who provide shelter to them. Every terrorist attack invites heated panel discussions on different TV channels, condemnation from all sides and the government statement that Pakistan will be given a befitting reply. Such a reply comes, but it is few and far between. And the terrorist activities go on. Sometimes, a few terrorists are killed or arrested in counter insurgency operations. And, who are these terrorists? Very ordinary radicalised youth or mercenaries. On the other hand, the nation loses well trained and battle hardened soldiers and officers. The innocent civilians including men, women and children are killed or critically wounded. The cost is literally very high and this has taken the country nowhere. Terrorist like Dawood Ibrahim is leading a luxurious life in Pakistan .If a big and powerful state like India cannot punish the perpetrators of such crimes, who will? As a matter of fact, our policy to deal with this problem is faulty.

These Pakistan sponsored terrorists are a wing of the Pakistani army and it is no longer a proxy war, but a full-fledged war, which is slow and steady, eating into the vitals of our morale, public safety and economy. We are hitting at the branches of the tree. We need to hit and uproot the tree itself. The government policy should be an eye for an eye, a soldier for a soldier, an officer for an officer, a civilian for a civilian, a military establishment for a military establishment, an economic centre for an economic centre and so on and so forth. And this should be done silently without creating any hype. This should be a routine exercise increasing the heat with passage of time. Bleed Pakistan up to the stage of paralysis. So long India has defended itself in its own territory. Take this battle to the territory of Pakistan and let it face disturbances and collateral damages. Until we do this, a rogue state like Pakistan cannot be tamed. We are not very rich, but rich enough to bear the cost of this aggression.

Till then, there should be no relation with Pakistan. No trade, no dialogue and no cricket. Cricket is a rich game, but only when India plays in it. Playing cricket with Pakistan enriches the Pakistan Cricket Board. India should not play Pakistan even if it has to skip ICC tournaments. The Indian Premier League is so rich and powerful that players across the world would participate in it, no matter what the situation is. Moreover, it is shameful that our players play with them and the whole nation is glued to TV and the terrorists slay us at will. Hence, it is time to act and nothing else.

The writer is a noted academician and political commentator. Views expressed in the article are personal.