There was ample warning for the Pathankot attack, and the authorities had sufficient time and a well-trained force at their disposal to prepare a defence. Yet, experts in the national capital behaved in an unprofessional manner and failed to check the attack in time
While the world welcomed the new year with cheers, all-round revelry, and popping corks of champagne bottles, it brought betrayal, deceit, fraudulence, perfidy and the breach of solemn promise by no less a person than the Prime Minister of a neighbouring country made to our Prime Minister, not once but repeatedly — that jihadi terrorists will not be permitted to operate from Pakistan and attack targets in India. This author is referring to the attack on the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot by terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad from Pakistan.
While the terrorists did not succeed in their nefarious mission, the attack has brought to the fore the gross ineptness of both persons and institutions that deal with security issues of our nation. This ineptness was seen at all levels, from the very top to the brave soldiers who, once again, proved that even when the higher-ups botch up everything, they readily sacrifice even their lives and do not shirk from their duty and responsibility. Yet, mere bravery and putting lives on the line are no substitute for wrong decisions and ill-thought of follow-up actions by supposed experts charged with national level policies affecting the security of the nation. In the aftermath, instead of taking the culprits to task, cover-ups are already underway to shield loyalists and look for scapegoats.
Although the media has carried considerable reports about this terrorist operation, it is necessary to highlight some important aspects. It is clear that the attack was mounted to derail the so-called peace process between the two countries, when for the umpteen time India extended its hand to normalise relations with its neighbour. Unlike earlier occasions, the attempt at disruption came much earlier than in the past, indicating that nothing really has changed among those in Pakistan, who for their own reasons of retaining power, do not want a rapprochement, even when the Pakistani awaam desires it.
This writer is of the firm view that it is narco-terrorism that was fully and deeply involved in making this attack possible for JeM terrorists. Many Border Security Force and Punjab Police personnel are in cahoots with smugglers of both sides and are deeply involved in smuggling narcotics from Pakistan. The nexus extends all the way up to perhaps higher-ups in the Punjab Government. All facets of the incident involving then Gurdaspur Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh, particularly that he and his companions were not killed, and his cock-and-bull story, are pointers to the deep involvement of the JeM — and by association the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence in making use of these collaborators to launch terrorist actions in India. That Mr Singh later got in touch with his headquarters was a hedge to his other activities.
The Pathankot attack is one instance when sufficient clues, evidence and information about the high probability of a terrorist attack were not just available but even the target was broadly identified. Sufficient time and a well-trained force was readily available to foil the likely attack. In spite of this, people who project themselves as experts at the highest levels in the national capital behaved not just shabbily but in a most unprofessional manner.
The National Security Advisor, having received relevant information from more than one source, did not even think of calling the experts in counter-terrorist operations (the Army units next door), but chose to airlift a small team of National Security Guards — trained for tackling hostage situations and anti-hijacking operations, not flushing out terrorists. Then the flood gates of mismanagement opened when no command arrangements were made.
Information available in the public domain also states that the decision taken was in a meeting of the so-called ‘core group’ that gets activated in such situations. One can understand that civilian officials in the group may be somewhat naïve about security issues and more concerned about ensuring that no blame comes to them later, but it is baffling that the three Service chiefs, including the Chief of Army Staff, who were all present, went along with this peculiar decision.
The nation then found itself looking at a situation where a whole division or more of well-trained and equipped force was left cooling its heels next door in Mamun Military Station, while Defence Security Corps personnel meant for static guard duties, a few Garud Commandos of the Indian Air Force who are not tasked for such roles, sundry personnel of the Punjab Police, some armed and others with only their dandas, some elements of the BSF whose role is guarding the border, a few intelligence personnel from a number of intelligence agencies (whose role the writer is unable to comprehend); and sundry others, responded to the attack.
The Base Commander of a sensitive operational base is always specially selected for his professionalism and leadership qualities. This was also the case for the Pathankot air base. However, when a leader with such great responsibility is confronted with a challenge of the type that had presented itself, he needs space to interact with his command to formulate plans and monitor execution. However, if the senior brass lands up in his base, he are bound to curb the style of the ground commander.
This is exactly what happened, as senior officers, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Air Command, began landing in Pathankot. Notwithstanding the botched-up decision-making in Delhi, some senior members unfortunately forgot the basic teaching drummed into them for years — to let the commander on the spot handle the situation and to not breathe over his shoulder. This was the same case with the DG of NSG, who also landed in Pathankot. Some of you may remember that the police officer who was the DG at the time of the 26/11 attack had done the same and proved to be a major hindrance in the conduct of those operations.
The shemozzle of wrong decisions taken at Delhi was eventually corrected after we suffered many casualties and had dollops of sheer luck, but can or should we depend on luckIJ Such situations are serious and sensitive where, if standard operating procedures are not followed, there are cover-ups after the event so that blue-eyed boys can be extracted from their ignominious decisions. Accountability is unfortunately an alien concept in our country. Whether it was the debacle of 1962 or the many attacks including that of 26/11, none was held accountable. Some low-level functionaries may be blamed and then all is forgotten and forgiven. Sections of the media are already working speedily to shift focus away from the unprofessional way the maharathis of Delhi handled the crisis.
When insurgency was at its height in the early 1990s, the Army used the ratio of troop casualty to insurgent casualty as one of the indicators of performance and preparedness. The Army always had a favourable ratio, which gave a good idea of the gains that were being made. It is sad and disheartening that, even after a prior warning, the casualty ratio in Pathankot was in favour of the terrorists.
(The writer is a former Vice Chief of Army Staff)