SURGICAL STRIKE - NOT A FLASH IN THE PAN

  Some well informed friends (including a Surgeon!) have been mailing to me their thoughts about "The Surgical Strike" by the Indian Army, even as I sit in far away North America. The term itself within 24 hours has entered every Indian's dictionary. "And why not?" asks one of them, "If we can celebrate a cricket victory, why not a brave, risk-laden military success that has upheld the honor of the Nation!" Then there are those highly patriotic non-combatants in Delhi who have, I am told, developed sore throats expressing their joy & passing on their well-intentioned & indeed well-deserved accolades of courage & bravery to those manning the top citadels of South Block. The soldier who did it on ground is also mentioned with pride. It is said that there are some worthies quite conspicuously in a trance, not knowing what to say since the "expected" nuclear war has not happened - but I think this is not the occasion to pull their legs.
  So this Blog is primarily directed at my friends in the Civvy Street, to give them a soldier's view of how things might have happened. But first let's get the basic facts - you must know that a combat soldier is not a killer who is on a spree with automatic weapons. He fights when he has to, only for his religion - and his one & only religion is the safety & honor of his Nation. He is motivated to follow his religion with a fervent desire to keep his Regiment's flag flying high. His rigorous training, his long vigil in utterly rugged conditions & his ingrained values give him the absolute resolve to risk his everything for his fellow soldier. The meaning of team spirit to him is not just high-fives & bear hugs. He designates the enemy of the Nation as his enemy that he must demolish.
Some more basic things. Yes, some of you have hinted that the Indian Army has just learnt & adopted new tactics. Come on! Is there any other army in the world that is constantly active & battle hardened in such diverse terrain conditions & combating a variety of adversaries? And doing it with what ever it has, even with the most obsolete stuff. Other modern armies regularly learn skills of soldiering from our experience & expertise. With the nature of warfare going on for decades on our soil, the Indian Army units are forever trained & motivated to strike across the LOC to give it back to the enemy. Only they never got the green signal all these years; the enemy thought he had achieved moral ascendancy & kept pushing in indoctrinated terrorists. But now within a few days after the top leader has shown he has the risk profile to go all the way, the Indian Army without fanfare delivered what the Nation desired. And it is undoubtedly, quietly, secretly, preparing to have a go when the green light comes up again.
  My friends also want to know who is this Commando. Well, he is that live hero that every little boy wants to be. He is not that enigma that Phantom or Spiderman depicts but he is a practical close equivalent. He fights in a team. He is physically tough, even tougher than other tough soldiers. He can run with his weapon & heavy loads over rugged terrain as silently as a black panther. He can see in the darkest night, he loves bad weather. Surprise is his force multiplier. He can para jump, he can slither down a helicopter, he can rappel down a rock face. He does not care for sleep or comfort when a task is given. He can quickly change his objective. He hits the enemy hard with utter violence, at lightning speed & enormous shock. He disengages while the enemy is in shock. He never leaves own casualty in enemy territory. He gets back to base. Cleans his weapon, tends to his wounds & awaits further orders. He is full of humility, He does not brag. When there is a lull, he rejoices with his battalion at a Bara Khana, he sings with gusto even with a hoarse voice, he does the jig even awkwardly. He is human. He demands nothing more - only the respect that is due to him. (By the way, don't go away with the impression that only Special Forces do the task just completed - every battalion on the LOC can do it & several participated in the recent strike).
  Oh yes! Some time ago one of you mailed about the fearless American Special Forces assault to eliminate Osama - it was of course a great operation but remember it was into the territory of a junior dependent ally. And the Entebbe rescue by Israelis is also quoted - again a super operation. No comparisons, though you must note that all movement by our teams was carried out through alert coordinated enemy defenses supported by modern network of electronic surveillance devices.
  Now about how things might have happened. First & foremost - where international consequences are at stake, the buck stops on the Nation's Top Person's desk. So to take a bold decision, it requires courage & guts. Even the staunchest critics of PM Modi must on this occasion give it to him with an applause. The Govt has shown to the world that it has the will. The question you might ask is where from did the PM draw this enormous courage. Good question! You would have already guessed the answer. Should I talk about this & the foray in a later Blog?