usha manohar wrote:suni51 wrote:MG Singh wrote:I ama soldier and I can tell all readers that a short war can go either way. What if Pakistan makes incursions? We must remember that India couldn't beat the hell out of Pakistan in 4 wars on the western front-47-48, 1965, 1971, and 1998. Despite the trust in 1965 and 71, the army could not capture even Lahore and Sialkot which are just 20 miles from the border. Muzzafabad in POK is just 50 miles away and yet India just captured only a few posts beyond the LOC. As I said it's not easy.
Indian army and the leaders of India are in a different mood this time around. The fight will not be limited to self defense but to teach them a lesson that they will remember for a long time. The Indians are in different mind from what they were in previous wars. I know Pakistan can trigger atomic war out of frustration which will harm India but that would certainly be disastrous for Pakistan and they know it.
I too would think that Indian army is in a much better position now unlike before . However, a full fledged war would only cause loss of lives esp that of our armed forces and civilians too. If they can think of a strategy where Muzzafarabad is taken over , nothing like it .
The mood was very positive in 65 and 71 but in 48 and 98 there was pessimism. In 65 Shastri agreed to open a front in the Lahore Sialkot sector and India's strike corps moved in but it was held up at the Ichigo canal, a mere 10 miles inside Pakistan and we lost a brigade in trying to cross this canal. In 71 India wanted to advance in teh Punjab and JA& K sector but was thwarted by strong defenses of teh Pak army. Both sides are even now evenly matched. Th Pak army is 700000 and the 7th largest in the world. India has a lesser number of troops to face Pakistan as we have to take care of China as well.
I understand despite all the rhetoric of Imran Khan the Pak army does not want war with India. I wont be surprised if he is removed by Nov-dec.