Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Intelligence failure is unforgivable' that was published in Newsband

Intelligence failure is unforgivable

How is it that a plan to carry out such a major attack on a national highway in a troubled State went undetected? The deadly Pulwama terror attack has once again brought nuclear-armed India and Pakistan close to a potential armed confrontation. The BJP leadership knows that if it plays its cards well, it might stand a chance to form the next government. If it bungles, that chance would become weak.

The JeM’s leaders are roaming about freely in Pakistan. This is unacceptable. Pakistan should realise that it would be doing a favour to its citizens by cracking down on terror organisations that are thriving on their soil.

It will take a great deal of political sophistication, backchannel reaching out, and comprehensive political vision to get Kashmir back on track. Do the politicians in New Delhi realise this?

There is intelligence failure. How is it that a plan to carry out such a major attack, by a local who was on the radar of the local police and other agencies, on a national highway in a troubled State went undetected? Why is that 78 buses with CRPF jawans were allowed to travel in one convoy?

For the BJP government, given that the elections are so close, its retaliation has to be credible, prompt and visible. China is closer to Pakistan today than ever before, Russia is warming up to it, and given the impending American drawdown in Afghanistan, there is a sense of triumphalism in Pakistan.

One possible way out is perhaps to talk to US diplomatically to get Pakistan to crack down on the JeM, but that will take patience, persuasion and discretion. A government caught in an election season may have too little of any of it.

The only problem in India's approach to Kashmir is absence of a ruthless approach. Even when the military is on a serious mission to neutralize terrorists they are faced by stone pelters. Which other military in world would tolerate minions interfering in a serious combat ops?

It is high time Govt stopped all niceties and descended own heavily on the tasks to integrate the state with rest of India, throwing out the miscreants.

The present situation is the result of directionless & appeasement policy of Congress, selfish, corrupt policies of local leadership. Strict policy of present Central Government is correct which will eliminate dirty elements in Kashmir.

A role for China in present situation should be strictly ruled out. China is waiting for such an oppourtunity. A role for China means India will have to surrender its claim over Kashmir.

What does response has to do with elections? Security of India is independent of elections. Whichever Government is there, we expect to respond swiftly and take pound for ounce strategy, not meekly like UPA did for 26/11.

UN should grant India the right of self defence. Election time time or not, India is under attack and there is nothing worse than the tawdry sanctimonious self-righteous speech in countering it.