S Ranjan On the 65th Independence Day of Pakistan there is only one word to define the state of affairs in the country – a total mess, presently the situation is so chaotic that the very existence of the Nation as a geopolitical entity is at threat. In all occasions in the past, when the Nation faced similar challenges, at least some basic institutions and the government, … [Read more...] about Pakistan: At war with itself
Defence Diplomacy: An effective tool to engage Pakistan
Brigadier (Retired) Manjit Singh A nation is identified by three main parameters, culture, economy and military might. In the modern context, any nation that has the money and the muscle is automatically considered to be cultured. Therefore, the choice for global posturing is restricted to economy and what is called “Defence”, but actually relates to the exercise of military … [Read more...] about Defence Diplomacy: An effective tool to engage Pakistan
To fight terror; take a leaf from Kashmir
Novita Singh Three near-simultaneous explosions rocked Mumbai at evening rush-hour on 13th of July, killing at least 21 people and injuring 141 in what the government said, “Appeared to be another terrorist strike in the city”. Surprisingly, no organisation has claimed responsibility for the blasts that occurred at Zaaveri Bazaar, Opera House and Dadar, but then, this is not … [Read more...] about To fight terror; take a leaf from Kashmir
The Fai connection: Kashmir for sale
S Ranjan The recently held elections for the so called Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, which is actually Pakistan held Kashmir, have once again exposed the double standards of Pakistan. Democracy in Pakistan is much abused, fragile and fraught with contradictions. It never had any true admirer or elicited any genuine respect even from the people it represented. … [Read more...] about The Fai connection: Kashmir for sale
Surrender, amnesty and rehabilitation : Benefits and pitfalls
Brigadier (Retired) Manjit Singh During the very first year of his term, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah mooted the idea of revising the surrender and rehabilitation policy to provide amnesty for local militants who had crossed over to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) at the peak of insurgency due to indoctrination, compulsion or other socio-political reasons. The Centre agreed, … [Read more...] about Surrender, amnesty and rehabilitation : Benefits and pitfalls