ಇಂದಿನ ಪತಾಣ್ ಕೋಟ್ ಭಯೋತ್ಪಾದಕ ದಾಳಿಯ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತ - ಪಾಕ್ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಕುರಿತು ಖ್ಯಾತ ಪತ್ರಕರ್ತ ಶೇಖರ್ ಗುಪ್ತ ಅ

To anybody following India-Pakistan relations, a ‪#‎Pathankot‬ type attack was inevitable post Narendra Modi's Lahore visit, for this is an old pattern. Captain Amarinder Singh rightly says that the Pathankot attack aims at sabotaging the peace process. Our government which has frequently surprised everyone with its Pak policy, needs to decide now whether or not to let thugs scuttle talks again. The important distinction between state and non-state actors must be made, and as former and wise senior diplomat @K C Singh points out, the attacks shouldn't derail dialogue unless aid & abetment by the Pakistani state is traced.

If early signs are anything to go by, the government's response does appear to be calm indeed. Rajnath Singh's firm yet calm & measured response, for instance, was markedly different from the neurotic days ofShivraj Patill and Sushil Kumar Shinde. Simply put, the government needs to battle against its own perception of being a "tough" one, and instead be prudent in the face of this provocation.

Further, once Pathankot mopping up is done, questions need to be asked of BSF and Punjab Police (border wing) on the frequency of infiltration along this stretch. The Pathankot-Gurdaspur border is a rather tough terrain, which is not fully fenced given scores of water-courses. The drug-running link with terrorist handlers needs to be urgently explored.

And most importantly, one must commend the excellent response and heroic defence by Indian forces and pro-active stationing of NSG in the area after the SP's kidnapping.

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