Just finished watching a fascinating interview on an Indian channel of India's retired General Panag in the context of the Pahalgam attack. A few points:
- Indian Army was at its strongest in 2001/2 when India launched Operation Parakaram but India lost the 'window of opportunity which was in December 2001 till January 2022. When that opportunity was lost, Pakistan moved its assets from the western border where they were deployed as part of the post 9/11 events. [What the interview doesn't discuss is that how shamefully India did a the so-called 'Parliament Attack' False Flag to attack Pakistan because Pakistan was involved in the War Against Terrorism after 9/11: Indians: You have a LOVE for False Flags!!]
- India decided on 'Hot Pursuit'in 2016 but they were dud operations: The so-called 'Surgical Strikes'.
- Failure of Indian military to deter Pakistan either on land, or on air, or even via naval power.
- Pakistan, per the general, is getting qualitative advantages since 2016
- Pulwarna/Balakot was essential Indian failure.
- Indian political environment has become a prisoner of its own propaganda: 60% Indians believe they can take on both China and Pakistan in a two front war.
- General Panag has been attacked for his candid views.
- India really doesn't have much credible deterrence against Pakistan. What India can do to Pakistan, gets paid back in kind by Pakistan.
It is a fascinating interview where the General has been mostly objective except, despite saying what he said in the interview, in the last two minutes he maintains that India can still stop Pakistan's adventures in Kashmir 'once and for all' only if the political support is given to the Indian Prime Minister. I found that an odd statement after what he said in the interview-- maybe trying to save his own hide from the inevitable backlash. LOL!