Kalpana Bora
(kalpana.bora@gmail.com)
A grand salute to our armed forces – On May 7, 2025, Indian Armed Forces (IAF) successfully executed Op-Sindoor. Though most of the opposition political parties are standing united with the nation, leaders of some of them have started asking weird questions and commenting, like, Why did our officials leak information to Pakistan beforehand about strikes of Op-Sindoor? How many fighter planes of Bharat were shot down by Pakistan? Why was the operation aborted abruptly on the intervention of the US president? Was the ceasefire “Sindoor ka Sauda”? Was this an insignificant war?’ Anti-nation statements have been made earlier also during several foreign trips by one such leader.
These statements and questions are now being aired in Pakistani media and have fed them absurd propaganda to run against our nation. How much can one morally degrade that they can’t think of the nation first, even during such sensitive and difficult times? Can’t they rise above petty party politics? Come on, it’s not about any political party; it’s about our nation. How can these individuals promote misleading narratives that contradict the sentiments of 140 crore citizens? How can they doubt the capabilities and intentions of our armed forces? When the whole nation is feeling proud of the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) and celebrating their success, are they busy making stories trying to defame the nation? They can’t tolerate anything that goes in support of uniting the nation – and hence they are nation-breaking forces. A few observations, as appeared in the media, may be noted:
1. Calling it a ‘misrepresentation of facts’, MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) clarified that the Government of India had warned Pakistan at ‘the early phase after Operation Sindoor’s commencement’ and not before it. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) fact-check unit also supported MEA’s statement, stating that EAM Jaishankar has been misquoted (appeared in newspapers on May 18).
2. In any military strike, some damage is unavoidable. And this was clearly stated in the joint press meet of the chiefs of IAF. These are sensitive matters of national security and interest. Such opposition political parties are demoralising and demeaning our Armed Forces, rather than celebrating their valour, courage and capabilities.
3. On May 22, EAM Dr S. Jaishankar firmly rejected USA President’s claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He said, “When two countries are engaged in a conflict, it is natural that countries in the world call up to indicate their concern, but cessation of firing and military action was negotiated directly between India and Pakistan ….” DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) of Pakistan had called DGMO of Bharat on May 10, 2025. On Pakistan’s request, Bharat became ready for a ceasefire. They don’t trust our DGMO? Ceasefire was not “Sindoor ka Sauda”; it was for the sake of ethics and humanity. They don’t even hesitate from playing with sentiments of pious “Sindoor”. There was a clear statement from government officials that in the early hours of May 7, Bharat had achieved what was intended – doing justice for the Pahalgam terrorist attack, hence killing more than 100 terrorists and annihilating their training camps and hideouts in PoJK and Pakistan. In just 22 minutes. No collateral damage. It was also stated that no further strikes would follow if not instigated by Pakistan. Unfortunately, this did not happen, as the Pakistani Army attacked our civilian areas, religious places, schools and military establishments. In retaliation IAF destroyed 11 of the airbases of the Pakistani Army. Exceptional showcase of restraint, precision, ethics, advanced air warfare technology, and efficiency by the IAF. Is this insignificant?
This operation is going to be written in the history of the world as a unique military operation, the first of its kind – proud of IAF, PM Modi and his team of 140 crore citizens. We have shown the whole world a new path of peace, and that Bharat would no longer tolerate any act of terror against his people.
Nation-breaking forces cannot understand such a simple thing which our smart citizens can – that we never intended to engage in war! War causes unnecessary losses of precious lives and destruction, along with severe loss to the economy on both sides. Maybe some elements (external as well as internal) wanted this strike to continue as a war for a longer period so that the nation gets pushed into dark whirlpools of backwardness, drifting it away from the path of progress on which it is running now. Our animosity is not with innocent civilians of Pakistan; our fight is against the terrorists and their caretakers, who kill our innocent people.
Very recently, more than 15 people have been caught spying for Pakistan from different parts of the country. They include Gazala, Armaan, Mohammad, Malhotra, Singhs (3), Tareef, Illahi, Ali, Shehzad, and others. Just for some money, they sold the motherland. And why is their ecosystem focusing on Malhotra only? Seeing the environment in the country, some people are changing their colours also these days. No nation-breaking activity can succeed if citizens of the nation are united. Earlier, we lost due to traitors like Jai Chand, Mir Jafar, and Man Singh, and we have them today also, in different names, faces, and identities. It is high time India took stern action against all nation-breaking forces.
International Dynamics: During Op-Sindoor, two Turkish drone contractors were killed in Pakistan; China’s satellites helped the Pak Army. Post Op-Sindoor, some other important happenings at the international platform must not be ignored, like the sanction of an IMF loan of billions of dollars to Pakistan; Bangladesh allegedly trying to build an airbase near our Chicken-neck area (Siliguri corridor), with China’s help; the US president visiting the Middle East and also meeting Syrian Interim President; the USA including two jihadists in its White House Advisory Board of Lay Leaders; and the USA constructing a safe zone “unitary humanitarian corridor” for Rohingyas in Rakhine State of Myanmar. Raising worries? Many countries have their vested interests in PoK and Northeast Bharat for their own reasons. They will keep trying to create disturbances for us, trying to obstruct our peace, progress and development. The dynamics of international politics are too complicated, but we have to run the show victoriously and diplomatically with all countries, maintaining friendships with a pinch of salt, staying alert all the time, and acting sternly if needed.
The Road Ahead: Post Op-Sindoor, Bharat has emerged stronger as a nation. Strength earns respect, and with power comes responsibility. A new zeal is ignited among countries of the world that are afflicted by terrorism that Bharat can be a support in their fight against terrorism. “Success. It’s got enemies.” When we progress, people will try to pull us down; that is the rule of the game. External forces who want to break Bharat are becoming more active in Northeast Bharat and neighbouring Bangladesh. It is a matter of grave concern, and we all must be cautious, alert and united. Our citizens must understand the conspiracies of these corrosive forces. Curtail support (financial, logistic) to illegal immigrants, radical forces, and nation-breaking forces. Boycott Chinese, Turkish and Bangladeshi products. The mindset of people must change.
World leaders must stop playing double-standard games – acting to stop terrorism in their country but supporting terrorism against other countries, whoever strives to prosper. The world saw what happened in Bangladesh last August. The mentalities that nurture ideologies of terrorism worldwide must be cured. Disruptive forces living within the country must realise this responsibility. It is said in our philosophy
“Don’t hate the sinner; sin must be eradicated.”
And in the context of global terrorism, the sinner, the sin, and anyone who supports the sinner must be eliminated. Terrorism can’t help any nation. That is what the world has to understand and act accordingly.
Problems of our people living in border areas must be addressed more fruitfully so that more infrastructure, progress and development are ushered in there and youth get better and ample employment opportunities. That will spontaneously and gradually bring the youth towards mainstream peace and development processes and will be a setback for terrorists who lure our youth to engage in terrorism, offering money as a means of living life. Such issues must be addressed at ground zero. Just making policies superficially won’t help – people on the ground, who have been suffering for decades, need to be engaged in these efforts sensitively and emphatically. Borders should be made even more impenetrable and vigilant. We must contribute to enhance the morale of security and armed forces. Citizens should come forward to contribute generously to Army funds.
Exciting Career for Students/Youth: IAF has proved its technical supremacy over arms and weapons of Pakistan, which were mainly supplied by China and Turkey, among others. The nation is proud of our armed forces, intelligence services, ISRO, DRDO, and digital and electronic technologies. This will catalyse new enthusiasm among our youth to choose the armed forces, research in defence, space, and the intelligence sector as their careers. Our warfare technologies will have to keep upgrading and advancing, putting even more stress on research and development in the defence sector. Therefore, a greater number of our talented students/youth should join hands in this endeavour for the nation.