The LoC and cross border strikes (English Version) Rakshak news 03 Jan 18
The Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pak is almost seven hundred and fifty Kms. Tensions between the opposing armies is permanent all along it and each action needs to be taken in a measured manner. There is absolutely no scope for error for troops deployed to ensure its sanctity. The region is mountainous, forests exist on both sides, which provide cover for soldiers seeking to cross and strike. Posts are held in strength and troops regularly patrol gaps between posts, mostly along known routes and tracks.
Defences have been strengthened over time, mines laid during previous operations have not yet been lifted in many areas, hence many drifted, with both sides unaware of their exact locations. Hence, there are regular reports of mine casualties, which makes crossing the LoC risky. Villages exist close to the LoC on both sides and are frequently targeted. In the plains and semi-mountainous regions, farmers till their fields almost upto the LoC.
Both nations seek to dominate the other, through fire and observation. In earlier days, while Pak had limited restrictions, India seeking to maintain a peaceful LoC had placed restrictions on employment of heavy weapons and artillery. This has presently been lifted and the local commander is at liberty to retaliate. India has more concerns along the LoC, as Pak attempts to infiltrate militants, hence regularly establishes ambushes at night. When specific information is available, multiple ambushes may be laid. Pak, aware that India does not have terrorist camps supporting anti-Pak terror groups, is more at ease and less alert.
India would prefer a peaceful LoC while Pak would desire an active one, as a peaceful LoC would make infiltration difficult. In such an environment, determining who violates the ceasefire is difficult. Both nations blame the other for ceasefire violations and regularly lodge diplomatic protests. Pakistan even cries to the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which is deployed on either side. UNMOGIP has restrictions on movement on the Indian side. India considers its deployment as defunct and valueless, post the Shimla accord, while Pak wants to exploit it, whenever it suits them.
Further, neither nation can guard and protect every inch of territory, there are always gaps which are exploited by infiltrators. The existence of rivulets and undulating terrain add to difficulties, despite a border fence existing. In this terrain, exploiting the weakness of Pak’s complacency, mainly because it does not expect terrorist infiltrators, India plans and launches cross border strikes. It has succeeded as these are done at infrequent intervals and at varying locations. Employment of snipers only adds to the tension of troops operating in the region. They may not be effective across the entire LoC, but are in select areas and claim regular casualties.
The Indian army, which operates in the region has multifarious responsibilities. They need to ensure sanctity of the LoC, dominate Pak posts, monitor gaps between posts checking for tell tale signs of infiltration and establish ambushes at night to target infiltrators. To ensure all this they need to possess high morale, immense motivation and dedication to the nation and its people. They are aware of the dangers which lurk around the corner and take all precautions, yet there are occasions when they are surprised, and casualties occur, as it happened recently, where it lost four soldiers, including an officer.
As a genuine army, it has never hidden its casualty figures. It accepts them as a part of its responsibility, reamends its operating procedures and continues fulfilling its tasks and missions. However, for any force, an adverse incident would always impact morale, hence it would seek to extract revenge from the adversary. In addition, by striking back and inflicting greater casualties, it imposes caution on them for the future. It also provides the force a moral ascendancy over the adversary. Within the battalion, unless revenge is extracted for any loss of lives, the battalion would not rest, after all its own family has been targeted. Battalions have been known to request an extension of tenure to ensure extraction of revenge.
Cross border strikes are only one option to extract revenge, while many more exist. Destruction of posts and defences can also be undertaken with artillery fire or even by employing direct firing weapons. Resorting to artillery fire would enhance levels of risk to local villagers, in case of retaliatory fire and hence is only resorted to as a form of retaliation. Employment of direct firing is undertaken at regular intervals. These actions also impose caution on the enemy.
In addition to border tensions, posts in higher reaches are also impacted by heavy snow and avalanches in winters. Some posts also need to be winter stocked, as access to them are likely to be blocked for prolonged durations in winters. Hence maintenance of the force assumes equal importance.
Planning and launching cross border strikes is always a risky proposition. A failure can be disastrous, hence surprise and maintaining adequate reserves are essential. Timing and selection of objectives must be perfect. Once launched, those responsible for launching it, remain tense, awaiting the return of each soldier. The assault team strikes its target, causes casualties and returns, prior to the enemy reacting, without seeking to count the casualties it has inflicted. Information would flow from the monitoring of signal communications and move of ambulances. Its safe return is always a relief.
The LoC is an area where each day brings forth a new challenge for the soldier. There are occasions when he forces Pak to react and at times it is the other way. It not an area where an individual can be lax even for a moment. The respect and gratitude of the nation gives the soldier the courage and strength to lumber on. This coming year, we need to dedicate to the soldier ensuring our security along the LoC.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army