Defenceinfo Bureau Report
Even as the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan were engaged in a dialogue at New Delhi, a large group of terrorists was being pushed into India across the line of control in the Machil sector of Kashmir. The Army intercepted the infiltration which led to a fierce battle that left one junior commissioned officer of the Indian Army dead. Intelligence reports indicate that there are 42 terror camps operational in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and 700 ultras are waiting to cross into the valley. The army has foiled five infiltration bids on the line of control recently. The fresh infiltration comes on the day when Indo-Pak foreign ministers agreed that terrorism poses a continuing threat to peace and security. It leaves one wondering about the efficacy of keeping communication channels with Pakistan open in a scenario where the country is unwilling to even partially amend its policy towards India. A diplomatic pause for about twenty years may produce an environment where the relationship can be viewed with an open mind. If we have to stay inimical to each other; if we have to shed avoidable blood; then at least we can be honest about it.