The Air Commodore Jasjit Singh Chat
It was a crowded chat room that Air Commodore Jasjit Singh came into, one brimming with concern and outrage. And despite some rapid-fire interrogation, the air commodore came out unscathed. Read on for the details:
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:26 IST)
Hello everyone, I am ready for your questions. Fire away!
Mandira (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:23 IST)
Hello Mr Jasjit Singh. pleasure to have you here once again. What do the armed forces feel towards the political parties who are trying to gain mileage out of this and what is their attitude towards peace via diplomatic efforts when it is common knowledge that diplomacy and Pakistan is a sham
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:31 IST)
Mandira: As you know, the Indian defence forces are totally apolitical. The Indian political parties are united on one issue: that Pakistan must be thrown out of the area on our side on the LoC. This also reflects a complete national consensus. As regards our long-term relations with Pakistan, Pakistan is a reality and a neighbour. We would like to have co-operative relations with Pakistan and diplomacy should seek that. However, Pakistan's adventurism has always been a problem against which we need to remain vigilant and effective. In today's world, defence and diplomacy go hand in hand.
Sanjai Kukreti (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:31 IST)
Commodore: Should India strike the Pakistani camps on the other side of the LoC? Is there any credibility to the Pakistani threat of using nukes against India, if we attack their camps?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:36 IST)
Sanjay Kukreti: I don' see any credibility in the Pakistani threat of nuclear weapons. Surely the Pakistani leadership understands that if they push to the nuclear threshold, there may not be any Pakistan left.
As regards striking Pakistani camps across the LoC, this will have to depend on actual circumstances and what we really mean by such strikes. For example, artillery guns are already firing across the LoC, at targets as deep as 25 to 30 km. Therefore, striking any other targets by aircraft in that zone should be seen in that context.
At this point, our preferred option is to throw the Pakistanis out of our side of the LoC. They have selected the time and the ground, which is favourable to the Pakistani army. Therefore, beating them back in this area without escalating beyond that has its own implications and message. The Pakistanis are being thrown back everyday and it is a question of time. Fundamentally, the Pakistani invasion in the Kargil sector has already failed.
IndianRediff (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:41 IST)
Air Commodore sir: (repeat Q) Welcome to rediff chat. I have a simple question for you. If we were to escalate the current confrontation to a full war, what would the effects be on the economy? Are the armed forces prepared for such an eventuality and if so, will they be able to capture all of Pakistan?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:43 IST)
Indianrediff: The Indian economy is fully capable of supporting any military action that may be necessary. I don't think we should escalate to a full-fledged war. But if Pakistan does it, we can handle it militarily, politically, and on the economic front.
stanisv (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:41 IST)
Commodore Singh, is the Mirage 2000 our only ground attack aircraft? Why aren't we using other planes?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:45 IST)
stanisv: You are wrong. We have state of the art equipment for electronic warfare and surveillance. After all, how do you think we could listen to the conversation between the Pakistan army chief and his chief of general staff.
naveen (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:44 IST)
Sir, Is it true that the Indian govt gave back the lands occupied by the armed forces in war during the Shimla agreement?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:46 IST)
naveen: yes it is true that we returned the territory. We also sent back 97,000 prisoners of war belonging to the Pakistani army. Incidentally, this was single biggest military force ever captured and also returned.
Sanjai Kukreti (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:45 IST)
Commodore: We are hearing confusing reports from Indian officials, as to how long it will take to restore the status quo ante at Kargil. People are now saying that it will take a few months to push back the enemy. Is this a maximum figure, or is it likely to grow even further still? Is the Indian army fully aware of the extent of the invasion, or is it continuing to grow?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:50 IST)
S Kukreti: For more than a month now, the army has a very clear picture of what has been attempted. And they are saying it publicly that the armed force fighting on our side of the LoC consists of regular troops of the Pakistan army.
Given the nature of the terrain and the fact that the Pakistani troops are sitting in fortified positions on higher heights, it will not be appropriate to nominate any specific time frame. The army is also operating within the framework of the Indian policy of localising the war to this particular sector only.
naveen (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:41 IST)
I feel that all these troubles are becoz of one mistake by the then PM in 1948 and he not listening to the army? The armed forces are experts in these things so why don't these politicians let them handle the situation?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:55 IST)
Naveen: Yes. The army and the air force are fighting to throw the Pakistanis back. The civilian support is vital for their morale and to remind the military and the civilians that we are fighting for the right cause.
stanisv (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:54 IST)
Commodore Singh, why have we not used any surface to surface missiles, since they are supposed to be really accurate?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:57 IST)
stanisv: The use of artillery and aircraft provides us with better options in these circumstances.
naveen (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:56 IST)
Sir, Is the article in Indian Express (online edition) today, true in saying that Pakistan's army has occupied some posts on the Indian side in Kaksar sector for almost 10 years? If so why no action has been taken? Did the govts know about this?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:0 IST)
Naveen: I do not have the factual position on this issue. However, it is very clear that the Line of Control has been accepted by both countries in its totality and has been generally respected for the past 27 years. What has happened this time was far beyond the question of a post here or a post there. Pakistan army had encroached across a 120 km frontage and to a depth of eight to nine km at som places.
Tejinder (Fri Jun 25 1999 7:58 IST)
Well, commodore, my patience limit is over. Thank you for not answering my question.
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:2 IST)
Tejinder: I have not seen your question. Would you care to repeat it?
Aryan (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:0 IST)
Dear Mr Singh, we are all fighting a kind of war, although on tough terrain etc. We r not ready to cross LOC I don't know if that's due to ethical reasons or rather the kind of impression India has created before the international community. Why doesn't the RAW take up small assignments, creating social disturbances in Pak metros since this will lead to diversion of Pak armed forces etc towards large-scale disturbances... Don't u think this is possible.????
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:3 IST)
Aryan: A lot of things are possible. However, we have to follow a policy based on our value system and our commitment to international norms. Just because the Pakistan government behaves like a rogue state, it does not mean that we should also behave in the same manner.
stanisv (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:3 IST)
Commodore Singh! We should have our MiG25 fly past the LOC every other week taking pictures. Why haven't we been doing that?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:4 IST)
Stanisv: What makes you think we are not doing it?
spoc (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:2 IST)
What if Indian army falls back to the plains, and lets the militants be in the mountains while India raises the issue in the international forum pressurising Pak to withdraw their support to militants? This will also help India rope in support from western countries.
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:7 IST)
spoc: We have to fight for our own rights. The international community should not be expected to fight our battles. If the international community formulates its own policies, based on the facts on the ground that itself is the major positive development. I don't see any reason why we should allow the aggressors to come in, whether in the mountains or in the plains without throwing them back ourselves.
Sanjai Kukreti (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:2 IST)
Commodore: What has been the distinction, if any, between the Pakistani Prime Minister and the Pakistani army, in the Kargil affair? Is the Pakistani Prime Minister behind the intrusion, or has this solely been done at the initiative of the Pak army?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:11 IST)
S Kukreti: In my reading of the situation, the whole operation has been carried out with the full knowledge and approval of the Pakistani prime minister. In hindsight, it appears that General Karamat was sacked last year possibly because he was not as enthusiastic about this adventure as the present Pakistani army chief is.
The former ISI chief, Gen Javed Nasser, was appointed by Pak PM Nawaz Sharief as his intelligence advisor and he (Nasser) functions from his office located in the PM's residence. Nawaz Sharief had also appointed a new director-general for the ISI after the army chief was changed. There are many other indicators that point to this being "the grand strategy" of Pakistan rather than only a section of Pakistan's power structure.
bond (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:11 IST)
Why does India project itself as so soft a nation always in all matters?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:13 IST)
Mr Bond: I don't think the Pakistan army, which is on the receiving end, will agree with you.
mandeep singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:11 IST)
Why can't we set a deadline for Pakistan - say 30th June - get out or else face war? Why are we being so timid?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:16 IST)
mandeep singh: I think the army commanders are the best judge on how to fight the battle on the ground. It will be very unfair for anyone to set down an arbitrary deadline.
bond (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:9 IST)
What do u think should be India's reaction to Pak's denying the acceptance of no first use of nuke warfare?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:21 IST)
Bond: These things depend on your basic priorities. Should we be the naughty spoilt child of the region or the mature great power that India is? The lawbreaker always has some advantage in the short run. But that does not mean that those who defend the system are short. This is the fourth misadventure by Pakistan since 1947. They lost the previous three, and they are in the process of losing the fourth attempt.
Aryan (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:13 IST)
Dear Commander Singh, u too are a soldier, and imagine urself at the mercy and political decisions of our leaders. Ur hands are tied becoz the business houses influence our fighting decisions.. Tell me, Commander Singh, are these business tycoons really influencing defence decisions.....?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:26 IST)
Aryan: Don't forget that we are a democracy. The military in India is one of the most professional militaries in the world and proud of the fact that the military power is a key component of the country. I think you are unduly pessimistic about the Indian political system.
Aryan (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:24 IST)
This is the fourth misadventure by Pakistan since 1947. They lost the previous three, and they are in the process of losing the fourth attempt.... When U SAY THIS COMMDR SINGH.. WE'LL END UP HAVING THE LOC NEAR TAMIL NADU. WE HAVE LOST LAND, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T SHOW THAT ON THE MAP.... But that's the reality.... What do u have to say on that???
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:28 IST)
Aryan: Pakistan losing the fourth attempt does not mean the LoC is near Tamil Nadu but may well indicate the LoC is closer to the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.
naveen (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:13 IST)
Sir, Can we send our queries to you thru e-mail. This chat room is a bit inconvenient as I am at work place now. Can you give us your e-mail address or a rediff e-mail where we can get in touch with you?
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:30 IST)
Naveen and others: My email is:
psb (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:31 IST)
Mr. Singh: As far as I know that three peaks are most important from strategic point of view. After Tiger Hill falls, is it worth to go after the small pockets from the military point of view
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh (Fri Jun 25 1999 8:34 IST)
psb: The peaks are important because they overlook the national highway. Taking back the territory on our side of the LoC is important because Pakistan must be forced to honour its commitments. Thank you and good night.
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