Prof Nutan K Resutra
April 22, 2025: Terrorists butcher 26 innocent male persons after knowing their religion that they are Hindus.
This follows suspension of Indus Water Treaty by India; cancellation of all Pakistani tourist visas and initiation of other diplomatic measures against Pakistan.
May 6-7, 2025: India launches Operation Sindoor. A massive outbreak of showdown between Indian Armed Forces and Pakistan starts that results into halting of armed conflict between the two countries on May 10, 2025 from 1700 hours.
This is all history now. As of writing of this piece, an understanding (ceasefire) is in force. And another battle of words has erupted on the social media front which is all set to be followed in the mainstream media also. The big question is: Did India win or lose this so- called Fifth Indo-Pak War?
Let us see what the Whatts App Warriors have to say.
The first one to catch my attention was a piece of write up by a geo-strategist with the headline shrieking: India snatches defeat from the jaws of victory! A very impressive one indeed.Then there are reportedly some statements by the former Army Chiefs of India criticizing the ‘ceasefire’ move, which I am sorry, I could not authenticate. This was followed by comparisons with the 1971 Indo-Pak War and how Bangladesh was born, including the speeches of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. A parallel was drawn and an effective attempt has been made to bring home the fact that with agreeing to ceasefire, India has yet again failed in achieving anything credible. In short, it has been outwitted by Pakistan in stopping from further actions.
The arguments seem to be holding ground. But then I have some thoughts that I want to share with my highly respected and learned readers.
Frankly, I do not have a credible definition of Victory or Defeat. I had once read that in a war, both countries claim they have won the war! Pakistan’s history is full of instances where it is clearly mentioned that Pakistan had won the 1971 War with India! I do not have any explanation for that. Yesterday also, Shahbaz Shrief has made his victory speech after the ceasefire came into force. Well. He has every right to do so. But I shall only air my views about the ceasefire. Before that, I want to request that my views should not be construed as echoes of the ruling party. How do we decide about gains or losses unless we are sure about the ultimate aim or purpose of a particular action; in this case the strike by India on Pakistan?
I wonder what was the intention when India launched attacks on Pakistan’s terror Camps? Was it to teach Pakistan a lesson that India can strike at will on her Terror headquarters when- ever we decided to do so? Or was the intention to again break Pakistan into the two as Pakistan and Baluchistan? Or to go to the extreme; it was to annihilate Pakistan once for all and wipe it off from the world map? I feel there is one section of people who had already supposed that the strike was to enter into war and tear Pakistan into two.They are the ones who have brought up comparisons with 1971 War. There are also those who have gone to the extreme imagination of breaking Pakistan into five countries as of today. Mind it Sir, I have used the words as of today!
The official statements coming out repeatedly emphasise the objective of starting Operation Sindoor was to attack terror bases and give a strong deterrence that the terrorists where ever they might hide are not safe and can be hit by India as and when it strikes. The attack on Bahawalpur and Muridke was the biggest surprise for Pakistan. For, the rogue country had never imagined India can even cross the International Borders. Personally, I feel they were prepared for attack on PoK, but never In Pakistan Punjab. And this cost them many terrorist lives.
Coming to our discussion, I refrain from passing judgement.
I think if the Prime Minister agreed to this not- so- easy- decision; he must be having something up his sleeves. He is at the moment the most burdened man in India who has not only to gauge the mood of people but also counter the restless getting Opposition; with a focus on the ensuing Bihar elections. I leave it to my highly respected readers to decide and bring the curtain down on the war of words erupting on the social media: Did India win or Lose?
(The author is former Principal GGM Science College and former Chairman, J&K BOSE)