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This column is in response to SAWF editorial by Sunanda Vashisht

Ms Vashisht's style of writing and the sentiments that she echoes - are so "Chanchal and sushil" - badly translated - gentle and serene - that even on a article like terrorism she comes out so effectively, that too with very mild words. In contrast, I may sound loud and brutal - pardon me that is my bearing and training in the Naval Special forces. I will try and complement the article with the last line request of Ms Bijal to share some of my knowledge / experience on the subject - in "Gentle" words.

The Army rules Pakistan, has been doing so ever and the only time there were civil governments they were there at the General's pleasure. Any time the PM tried to flex his/her authority, they were muscled out - the latest being Sharrif who actually mustered enough courage to sack Musharraf. (The Pakistanis by themselves are our natural best friends and greatest people - on neutral soil.)

The Army is relatively the highest paid, aristocratic, well provided for and at one point of time Professional. Over the years the good life prevailed the Heroin trade of over $ one billion for the Army /ISI (profit - figures of eight years ago) kept the Army running cement / steel plants, housing societies which were rehabilitation centers for the retired personnel. Profitability of the projects is assured as they are highly subsidized by the wonderful trade.

This should answer your question - Army has to stay in power to maintain their life style. Any General who "means" well and hands over power to civil government would do so under a tacit understanding - for he dare not relinquish total control - that will mean peace with India, Budget cuts for the Army, downsizing the Army empire - Will any sane General allow that - he will be killed anyway. To stay in Power they have to remain in action. Punjab - they succeeded - But remember the origins of the Sikhs - a great martial race created out of the Indians to battle the enemy - the sane sikhs prevailed and Punjab thrives.

Ms. Vashisht - Kashmir will bleed and continue to do so - till such time the Army is routed from Pakistan or the US stays on their stated desire to eradicate terrorism at source. Observe their master stroke - they got UK to call Arafat the President and first time in a long time PLO was given some legitimacy - they got Israel and Palestine talking and in one stroke took away the very cause of this all - bias against Islam. This effectively silences all moderate Muslim states and the fanatics come out isolated. Brilliant that! Hope it continues. Now for Pakistan - they are between the devil and deep sea. India is doing just fine - we need not shout on top of our voices or offer service that we think the US needs. At this stage it is not warranted. There is no battle, per se in the offing. It would be political, high tech with sprinkling of special operations and that is where India will be required, for India is the last hope to contain fundamentalist. SO NO WAY THE US of A can intervene in Kashmir on their behalf. Also remember, conventional warfare is history - unconventional warfare (Israel, LTTE), or low intensity conflicts (Pakistan, Chechnya) and of COURSE Terrorism are the new way of imposing ones ambitions in the fabric of society.

Last but not the least - US better watch out - there is an Islamic bomb in gestation next door. Any violent move may induce premature delivery in to wrong hands and hence Pakistan being treated with kids gloves. This bomb may well be the next weapon until US mission prevails - otherwise first target would be US (they are now preparing safeguards), Second Israel (they are already prepared and will thwart any such efforts) and the third - Ladies and Gentlemen Guess???

Yes we have to tread with great care in this new found US desire to contain terrorism - for it hit them where it hurts most and that has woken up this sleeping giant (words of Admiral Yamamoto after attack on pearl harbor) If history does repeat - this giant will now get after them and like the route of the Japanese and the Germans - it may well break the back of terrorism (God please make it happen) Kashmir shall then bloom, as ever before.

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