Commodore D S Sodhi, NM (Retd)
Home coming of our fearless, brave and professional Air Warrior aroused massive emotional sentiments throughout the country. Wing Commander Abhinandan’s act of shooting down State of Art F-16 Aircraft of Pakistan whilst flying vintage MIG 21 Bison aircraft is exemplary and would even make Americans ponder as to how this happened. This act would go down in history as an act of classic heroics and would motivate many fighter Pilotsin the flying community not only in India but across the globe. Such an act was also displayed by another valiant Air Warrior Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh SekhonPVC in 1971 when he engaged and secured hit on one superior F -86 Sabre Jet and damaged another whilst flying his Gnat. This act has once again reposed the faith that the nation produces very fine and professional Soldiers,Air warriors and Sailors who are committed to deliver when the nation needs them.
Wg Cdr Abhinandan after having locked on the F -16 and displaying sublime heroism and flying skills did not think twice about the probable response from Pakistani aircraft but was very clear that Pakistan had not only violated our airspace, but committed an act of Aggression and needs to be given a befitting reply. The fearless pilot engaged and shot down the F-16 aircraft and in turn was also hit and ejected landing in POK (which actually is his own territory but presently under occupation of Pakistan).
Pakistan claimed that releasing Abhinandan was an act of peace least understanding that Pakistan had no choice but to hand him over honourably as per Geneva convention since Abhinandan’s act was against aggression by Pakistan. When it came to handing him over to the Indian Authorities Pakistan once again stooped down further low in thatAbhinandan was paraded and made walk quiet some distance, the Pakistani flag was kept flying even after Sunset and his handing over was delayed for quite some time. even under these circumstancesWg Cdr Abhinandan once again displayed an act of great Valour in that he walked into the Indian Territory like a fearless Tiger unfazed and with a Smile on his face.
Our Defence Forces have always made the Nation Proud and thwarted every act of aggression. Each and every soldier sweats during peace time to make the right impact in case war is thrust on the nation. I have specifically used the words Indian Defence forces instead of Indian Armed Forces since the nation propagates peace and does not believe in aggression on anyother nation. Even our Nuclear Policy talks of no first use. The nation has a whole and Jammu and Kashmir in particular has been a victim of terror mainly exported from the soil of Pakistan. Cowardice act of Pulwama attack on innocent soldiers of our fine paramilitary forces and the subsequent martyrdom of our soldiers in counter terrorism operations was condemned by the international community. The nation was enraged and continued debates and discussions on print and electronic media saw through the mood of the nation. Many Veteran Soldiers proposed that the nation should attack Pakistan sinceJaish-e-Muhammad had owned the responsibility of Pulwama attack. India raised the concern and warned Pakistan to act against the terror modules. Pakistan as always was in a denial mood.
The Indian Prime Minister made it very clear when he stated that those who carried out this attack have done a huge mistake and would have to pay for this. It was a very bold statement and the Nation started reacting to it in a manner that this should be put to act at the earliest. Everyone was anxious to know what is going to happen. India even proposed to Pakistan that in case Pakistan was feeling helpless or incompetent to act against the Masterminds of this act, India could help in smoking them out from the Pakistani soil.India took some measures like withdrawing MFN status, Stoppage of Water from our eastern rivers, andincreasing duty to 200 percent on Pakistani goods.However, the Nation was looking at Military action may be more than the surgical strike. During one of the debates on a News Channel I was asked as to why no Military action is being taken. In my own wisdom I had replied that every Soldier is taught and believes in the Motto of DSSC Willington “To War with Wisdom” as also the aspect of “Element of Surprise”. To my own surprise it was on thc morning of 26 Feb 2019 that I received a call from the Channel stating “Sir what you said yesterday has come true, our Indian AirForcehas done the Job”.
The International community condemned the Pulwama attack and even US made a statement that United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it. The right to self-defence is embodied in Article 51 of Chapter VII of the United Nations charter which deals with threats to peace, breaches of peace and acts of aggression. Indian accordingly made a resolve and took a firm stand to carryout pre-emptive strikes on three non-military targets that were exporting terror to Kashmir. The Indian Airforce displayingprofessionalism used precision weapons to prevent civilian casualties attacked terror cams near Chakoti, Muzaffarabad and Balakote (Khyber Pakhtunwa). The MEA came up with a statement that read “In an intelligence-led operation in the early hours of today, India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In this operation, a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated.””
Rattled Pakistan was taken by surprise and subsequently attempted to attack Indian Military Targets thereby making an act of Aggression by sending F-16 aircraft into Indian Territory. In this attempt one of the State of art Pakistani F-16aircraft was shot down by a Vintage MiG 21 of the Indian Airforce though the MiG 21 too was lost and Indian Pilot captured. This act of Pakistan again was an act of aggression and India was prepared to escalate. Meanwhile many fake videos of Wg Cdr Abhinandan started appearing and this too was a violation of Geneva Convention, MEA sent a strong message to Pakistan to ensure that No harm was done to the Indian Pilot else……… Understanding the mood of Indian Nation as well as pressure of the International Community, Mr Imran Khan announced that as a peace gesture the Indian Pilot is being released. Though this was a welcome Dimension, Heavy Shelling by Pakistan continued on the Indian Border. The Representatives of Army, Airforce, and Navy in their Press briefing brought out that the Indian Defence Forces were on high alert.The media also reported that the third dimension of our forces Indian Navy has deployed Submarines for a probable strike as needed. The events were taking a very fast turn with India emerging stronger in International Community and Pakistan feeling the heat and Isolation. India had a very clear Political, Diplomatic, Financial as well as Military victory and on the other hand Pakistan kept on telling lies and getting exposed further. India also displayed the objective evidence of use of F-16 aircraft by Pakistan by presenting pieces of AMRAM missile that had fallen in Indian territory.
India has showed its resolve to fight terror emanating from the Soil of Pakistan as also has made huge success in eliminating a large number of militants in the valley. The Corps Commander of 15 Corps whilst addressing media after eliminating the perpetrators of Pulwama attack in Valley did make an appeal to the mothers to advise their sons to shun the path of militancy. He also made it very clear that anyone who picks up gun would also be eliminated. What is more important now is that there is a need to once again reach to a common Kashmiri (not involved in anti-national propaganda) and extend the same healing touch that was once offered. The people of Kashmir have to understand that once again Pakistan has failed them. Alienation and vilification of innocent Kashmiri people should not happen.
Finally, here is a Veteran who operated silent and unseen wishing that Wing Commander Abhinandan gets back to his cockpit soon even more confident. Wishing him Happy flying, happy huntings, and safe landings. You Make the Nation Proud. Jai Hind
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