Fog over Galwan- Foggy Lutyen's North & South blocks

By Lt General Dr Mohan Bhandari (Retired)

“THE WAR WILL END

THE LEADERS WILL SHAKE HANDS

THE OLD WOMAN WILL KEEP

WAITING FOR HER MARTYRED SON

THAT GIRL WILL WAIT FOR HER

BELOVED HUSBAND

AND THOSE CHILDREN WILL WAIT

FOR THEIR HERO FATHER

I DON’T KNOW WHO SOLD OUR HOMELAND

BUT I SAW WHO PAID THE PRICE “ by M Darwsih, a famous palestinian author & poet

The casualties caused to Indian Troops by the barbaric People's Liberation Army (PLA) using sticks, stones, iron rods & specially fabricated clubs with barbed wire, indicate that this had a tacit approval from the highest PLA Headquarters & The Communist party of China (CPA).

The savage hand to hand combat that was initiated by an un-civilised, Army finds no parallel in modern history. There was thus, a design by the PLA to scuttle the talks/ decisions arrived at the 'Three Stars Meeting 'followed by mutual one on one negotiations at Battalion,Brigade & Divisional levels.

It was decided in these parleys that POINT 14 would be vacated by PLA soldiers and 'This was NOT done'. While full reports are yet to be given out by the GOI, the FOG over Galwan Valley has not settled, yet.This has definitely dented the image of the Government & Armed Forces apparatus with speculations rising galore since 5th of May.

The killings are Indian Army’s worst losses since Operation VIJAY (Kargil) & remind us of the heavy skirmishes that took place in Nathu La & Cho La where Indian Army killed 345 PLA troops & injured 400.Time has come when we have to avenge the martyrdom of our soldiers & repeat the dose.

Beijing does not reveal ever any losses of its troops like it hid COVID 19. Confirmed sources ,however, reveal that about 30 PLA soldiers or more may also have been killed /injured.

This is brutal .Why should soldiers die with sticks, stones & clubs on either side ? They should fire weapons and kill or die honourably & not be beaten to death ! Which world are we living in ?

India must retaliate & retaliate hard. Enough is enough.

Why were our soldiers unarmed while they were facing a treacherous enemy ? Who gave these orders? The happenings in Ladakh Sector need to be fully investigated & people responsible taken to task.

While the Services have been told to be prepared for the worst & have been placed on high alert, it is now understood that the local Commanders have been given a free hand to deal with similar situations arising .Why was this not done earlier ?

Based on the present scene, the higher brass is already pushing for de-escalating the situation.All this is based on economic premise.Make no mistakes !Are we forgetting that the Chinese Monster has many faces & that it suffers from the SINO-CENTRISM & ETHNOCENTRIC SYNDROMES - both incurable infirmities !

The solution lies in STRENGTH & calling Dragon’s Bluff. Also, concurrently, we must be extra firm & ruthless on the LOC as this is the time the message must be clear to Pakistan that India can take on two enemies together.In doing so, we will cause a change in its doctrine. Else,we would have played into the hands of our adversaries.

Concurrently,Nepal is being brainwashed to actively contest our boundary claims.Autonomy of Hong kong is being curtailed to strengthen Chinese control.China is up to so many nefarious activities all over !Can the world remain a mute spectator ?

Our Government today is one of the strongest that we ever had. While any conventional military response may prove us to be an aggressor . But, we cannot eat a humble pie.The Indian Armed Forces are the best amongst equals & the Government should give them all that they want.They are India’s best bet.

India has to double her Defence Budget.

Also, the comity of nations world wide including United Nations must be told about the DADAGIRI,DOMINEERING,BRUTALITY & SAVAGRY of the Dragon & the unpardonable Human Rights violations.

And do not forget,Commanding Officer is the Father of an Infantry Battalion.It is not only the Indian Army alone but we as a Nation has to avenge his martyrdom.

WE WILL. You are born only once & you die only once !

(Dr. Mohan Bhandari is the author of books such as ‘Solving Kashmir’, and was the chairman of the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission post his retirement.)