India Must Utilize All Assets to Strike Pakistan: Lt Gen Kalita on Pahalgam Attack

India should leverage all its assets—diplomatic, economic, military, and political—in response to the tragic killing of 26 civilians in Kashmir, according to Lt Gen Rana Pratap Kalita (Retd), former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) of the Eastern Command of the Army.

Lt Gen Kalita emphasized that rather than reacting impulsively, the Indian government should execute a well-thought-out, strategic action against Pakistan. He called for isolating Pakistan diplomatically and, given the fragile state of its economy, launching economic measures to further pressure the country. He argued that this multi-dimensional approach would be more effective than a knee-jerk response.

The attack, which took place in Pahalgam on April 22, marked a gruesome escalation in the ongoing terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Lt Gen Kalita noted that Pakistan-based terrorists had not targeted tourists in such a brutal manner before, making this attack particularly shocking. In recent years, tourism in Jammu and Kashmir had been flourishing, and such an attack was unanticipated, raising questions about the adequacy of security measures in place.

While it is still too early to label the incident as a security failure, Lt Gen Kalita suggested that if there had been intelligence inputs about a possible attack, preventive measures should have been put in place, such as the deployment of forces in vulnerable areas. The attack took place at a significant distance from the Line of Control (LoC), making it unlikely that the terrorists could have crossed the border and attacked immediately. Instead, Lt Gen Kalita speculated that the terrorists had entered the region days earlier and carried out a meticulously planned assault. The nature of the attack suggested local support, with terrorists likely receiving shelter, guidance, and logistical aid from individuals within the area.

The former Army officer also highlighted the need for a comprehensive operation not only to target the terrorists responsible for the attack but also to apprehend those who provided assistance to them. He pointed out that in the past, terrorist strikes had often coincided with high-profile visits to India, such as those by then US President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to Pakistan. Similarly, this latest attack occurred during the visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris, raising questions about whether these attacks were strategically timed to disrupt diplomatic engagements.

Lt Gen Kalita further observed that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir had significantly improved following the abrogation of Article 370. This development had seen a steady increase in tourist activity, signaling a positive shift in the region's law and order situation. However, the former Army officer suggested that the rising relevance of peace and normalcy in the region may have triggered the terrorists' decision to carry out this attack, as they were losing their influence over the region.

In conclusion, Lt Gen Kalita emphasized the need for a concerted and multi-pronged response to Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, urging the Indian government to utilize all available tools to isolate and economically pressure the neighboring country while simultaneously dealing with the terrorist threat domestically.