Quite naturally the whole nation is outraged at the tragic and treacherous killing of four army jawans at LoC in Poonch sector. There were statements, protests, expressions of solidarity, unity, Pakistan-bashing and will-not-tolerate-such-incidents-in-future like standing in parliament. Anger, sentiment, protest marches, Pakistan flag burning, some demanding India should immediately start war with Pakistan – these were the scenes on streets. On TV channels, experts were discussing who’s in control of Pakistan, whom to talk, talk or no talk, whether to believe Nawaz Sharif and so on. Really, there has been hue and cry everywhere. It will last a few days.

But no one nowhere, at least publicly, is raising the right questions. I would like everybody to remember here all such killings of our army jawans in recent past at LoC. First let me explain something. Our jawans were killed when they were on patrolling duty at a hostile border where attacks by terrorists or by Pakistani soldiers or by both are always expected. Our jawans were armed and equipped. Our jawans were in groups. Consider all these facts. Then what went wrong and why that our jawns were killed without any casualty to the opposite side, without any fight? Something is seriously wrong.

First attack may surprise you but if subsequent attacks also surprise you, there is something wrong with your preparedness, particularly for a professional army on active duty on an enemy border where attack is always expected. We must find what went wrong and why. Were the machine and equipment good enough? Were the jawans sufficient in numbers for their duty? Were they physically and mentally fit and ready to fight? Did the jawans have clear directions and orders proper for the situation? These questions may be impolite but they are urgent, correct and important. Raising right questions only can get right answers. Right answers will save our jawan’s lives, kill enemies and make india more secure and strong.

Let us understand something more. Public opinion, particularly the one expressed in the grip of grief and anger, is not always the best one. Mostly it is loaded with emotions that are short-lived and short-sighted. We cannot wage war with Pakistan, be it NDA or UPA at Delhi, in response to similar incidents as happened at LoC. More than this, we cannot even stop talking with Pakistan for long. Talking at different levels as according to the circumstances will have to go but that does not prevent us from giving a swift and forceful response to attacks on our jawans on patrolling duty on LoC. When attacked, do all you can with full force and ferocity, then and there. Our government, our army, our experts, we citizens have to ask why this is not happening. Let the fighting arm fight and let the diplomats talk and let there be a clear and close coordination between the two arms.

If and when casualties are repeating themselves, take a hard look, think clearly and dispassionately, find the fault, find the solution, get ready for next fight. It is not far away. 

Dr Deo Ranjan Singh, MBBS, MD, is based in Siwan, Bihar.