What will be repercussion of India's surgical strike to Pakistan?
The repercussions of India's surgical strike on Pakistan, conducted on September 28-29, 2016, have been multifaceted and far-reaching. Here are some key implications:
Strained India-Pakistan Relations
The surgical strikes significantly strained the already tense relations between India and Pakistan. The operation marked a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict, making dialogue and peace talks more challenging to pursue. The strikes led to increased cross-border skirmishes and firing, exacerbating tensions between the two nations134.
Military Confrontations
Following the strikes, there was an uptick in cross-border firing and skirmishes, resulting in casualties on both sides. Pakistan claimed that Indian troops did not cross the Line of Control (LoC) but instead engaged in cross-border firing, while India maintained that it had conducted a successful surgical strike. This led to ongoing military confrontations and heightened tensions along the LoC24.
Casualties and Claims
The casualty figures varied widely, with India claiming significant casualties among terrorists and Pakistani soldiers, while Pakistan acknowledged the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to nine. Independent analysts suggested that the actual casualties might have been lower than what India claimed, and there were discrepancies in the accounts from both sides14.
Public and Political Impact
In India, the surgical strikes were widely praised and seen as a bold move to counter terrorism. The operation helped to pacify public anger following the Uri attack, which had killed 19 Indian soldiers. However, in Pakistan, the strikes were condemned as "unprovoked and naked aggression" by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif234.
Security Situation
The strikes had a concrete impact on the security situation in the region. The increased instances of cross-border firing and skirmishes endangered the lives of civilians living in border areas and contributed to a more volatile security environment1.
Diplomatic and International Reactions
The international community, including the UN, was cautious in its response. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that the UN Observer Group in Pakistani Kashmir did not directly observe any firing across the LoC related to the incident. India's envoy to the UN dismissed this, stating that facts on the ground did not change regardless of acknowledgment4.
Long-term Implications
The surgical strikes have cast a long shadow over India-Pakistan relations, making it difficult to resume meaningful dialogue and peace negotiations. They have also underscored the importance of diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation to achieve lasting peace and stability. The strikes marked a shift in India's approach from a purely defensive strategy to a more proactive defensive-offence strategy, which includes the use of asymmetrical warfare as a deterrence measure13.