tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post5892557953191747323..comments2024-03-23T09:25:42.029-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Between Mr Doval and the deep blue seaBroadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-54461464654731764372016-01-10T15:14:28.948-08:002016-01-10T15:14:28.948-08:00Unless one can positively prove that the NSA is da...Unless one can positively prove that the NSA is dabbling into day to day intelligence operations, one mustn't make such uncharitable comments.<br /><br />Its actually spit and run tactics.Niravnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-83471391848057363172016-01-09T21:41:22.134-08:002016-01-09T21:41:22.134-08:00NSR says ---
Col. Shukla
Read the interview arti...NSR says ---<br /><br />Col. Shukla<br /><br />Read the interview article presented in Business Standard and idrw.org about the lack of CDS in India...and also for may points...that I have raised...<br /><br />Most of the security related issues have deep uncoordinated and too fractious at center and state levels...<br />India badly needs a strong CIA and FBI like organizations to coordinate the collection of intelligence, surveillance, actions, etc<br /><br />Hope that you will take her ideas and turn them into good solutions for India...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-20301166499705139942016-01-09T06:06:17.714-08:002016-01-09T06:06:17.714-08:00What is Mr Shukla complaining about? The terrorist...What is Mr Shukla complaining about? The terrorists were killed, no aircraft were damaged and no civilians injured. So what if it took 3 days? The Indian intelligence agencies acted quickly on the information. Sure, some guys in the Army cannot stomach the fact that they had to take orders from the NSG (i.e. what they really mean is the IPS who head the NSG; actually the rank and file of the NSG come from the Army itself); and the Air Force looked silly with the gaps in the outer perimeter of the airbase. So lets fix what needs fixing rather than write silly biased articles before the facts are clear. What we hope to see in the weeks to come is the armed forces showing they have learnt from 26/11 and developed some capability of striking across the border at the guys who did this .....rather than look impotent in the face of the Pakistani nuclear deterrent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-53176665748631558112016-01-09T05:47:39.084-08:002016-01-09T05:47:39.084-08:00A good read article.thanks for another insight of ...A good read article.thanks for another insight of the incident.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-46695873426150199472016-01-09T05:46:07.796-08:002016-01-09T05:46:07.796-08:00I do not see what Col Shukla is getting so hot und...I do not see what Col Shukla is getting so hot under the collar about. Looks like he has shot off his bolt before all the facts have emerged. It is now increasingly clear that intelligence input was received and acted on in a timely way with the deployment of the NSG. I can see that some sections of the Army are miffed at having been made to take instructions from the NSG, but with the risk of a hostage situation this was a correct decision - the Army Chief himself was sensible enough to let the NSG lead. It is also clear that the Air Force has much to answer for - the airbase had poor security, with ill-maintained fences and lights and - it now emerges - with air force men on the inside passing on information to the Pakistanis. I also do not see why we should worry so much about the operation having taken a few days to wipe out the terrorists - surely it was important to eliminate them rather than take on more unnecessary casualties. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-38073001504514714442016-01-09T05:24:12.274-08:002016-01-09T05:24:12.274-08:00From the pathankot air base rumblings the follo...From the pathankot air base rumblings the following things very clearly emerges <br />1. No formal organisation base seems to have existed in all these days of emergency at the air base. seems no briefing had been existed among the counteracting stake holders such as NSG,Air force and Army. also seems organisation defacto head ajit doval sir has exceeded his brief of advisory staff position, insted acted as fulltime action hero. this organisation failure allowed unarmed DSC guards as scapegoats neverthe less of their heroic deeds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-81310768104979729562016-01-08T08:30:39.143-08:002016-01-08T08:30:39.143-08:00At least Mr. Dovsl is doing some pro active action...At least Mr. Dovsl is doing some pro active action<br />Not like spineless predecessor.<br />Hit or miss is part of the game.Tako Nadanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-34803279773055608322016-01-08T03:57:41.354-08:002016-01-08T03:57:41.354-08:00We are in deep trouble. Pak is constantly succeedi...We are in deep trouble. Pak is constantly succeeding, but stumbles on the goal line. We are waiting for the time when they don't. For a detailed analysis of India's Pak policy, read https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-questions-indias-pak-policy-alok-asthanaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09121677855050308582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-33233815678677269052016-01-07T16:21:10.367-08:002016-01-07T16:21:10.367-08:00This article is completely one sided. You need to ...This article is completely one sided. You need to express opinions not give judgements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-75742740446682808042016-01-07T09:30:06.602-08:002016-01-07T09:30:06.602-08:00Mr Ajai Shukla -
Can you please inform us where ...Mr Ajai Shukla - <br /><br />Can you please inform us where these NSG clowns come from? Are they some bumbling buffoons who get lost on the way to Post office and found themselves in the NSG camp where they were quickly given uniforms and a gun ? Surely they must be some lowly rabble and cannon fodder who barely know which end of the gun bullets come out of - forget about ever actually having met jehadis in battle or seen how anti-terror operations are done. Clearly, these clueless amateurs who should be cutting grass in the Pathankot cantonment and polishing the gate of the officers mess (of the "real" soldiers) there were needlessly given a silly title called NSG and abducted by our NSA from Delhi and released in Pathankot only to stumble drunkenly upon the terrorists only to run away screaming and wetting their pants. Perhaps that is why they were given "corpse duty" why the 50,000 Army soldiers in Pathankot where were chomping at the bit were held back by the NSA at gun point to prevent these "Warriors" from intervening in the pantomime that was the NSG's clumsy bumbling about in the Pathankot Airbase ! <br /><br />Does this version sum up your narrative Mr Shukla ? OR was I being too generous to what you clearly believe to be a glorified weekend warrior club called the NSG ? Fan No 1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-58648817357915411882016-01-07T02:57:56.608-08:002016-01-07T02:57:56.608-08:00Ajai,
Beware, you have started sounding monotonous...Ajai,<br />Beware, you have started sounding monotonous like Prof. Bharat Karnad and thats boring.<br />I would suggest please hold your horses for the facts to come out and then post your blog.<br /><br />I hope you understand what I am trying to say.Abhihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00000247316141657402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-40199557888862978362016-01-06T22:05:36.785-08:002016-01-06T22:05:36.785-08:00economy... matters... most...economy... matters... most...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-34173588722845751892016-01-06T14:48:46.623-08:002016-01-06T14:48:46.623-08:00NSG was called for minimizing the damage especiall...NSG was called for minimizing the damage especially when there were several family quarters. Army is not equipment is sophisticate weapons that NSG has for hijack or captivity response. It is unfortunate that NSG lost a Senior Officer but then the reason could be shortcoming in training and inexperience. DSC is more for ID check... not necessarily for any combat operations. Not all army units are equipped as RR so calling in army is not an ideal solution. I am sure NSG would have discussed this with Army and Air Force chief. Who knows what the objectives were... one of the objectives of NSG could have been to catch at least one terrorist alive and that's why they took certain approach. The last couple of terrorist were found in family quarters which I believe only NSG has the right capability to handle. NSG has to do more than VIP security and this is the right kind of operation that falls in their mandate. It was good to see prompt deployment of NSG. This should be standard for any crisis like situation. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-27502396183037660862016-01-06T08:22:48.828-08:002016-01-06T08:22:48.828-08:00There are certainly wide gaps; losing these many s...There are certainly wide gaps; losing these many soldiers inspite of this level of prior information in unacceptable. At the same time you must acknowledge NSA'a efforts in strengthening the intelligence network, because of which we got this concrete intelligence.<br />Yes army, trained in jungle warfare, is best when eliminating terrorists in jungle like terrain and using NSG in such situation is wrong. I believe NSA is intelligent enough to understand this and the decision to not call Army, instead of NSG, must be based on some factors.<br /><br />These terrorists happened to be trapped in marshy areas, where army does better, but if they were in a residential area or office, then NSG was more appropriate. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-23215742706464695412016-01-06T07:55:17.336-08:002016-01-06T07:55:17.336-08:00Hindsight is the best vision. Ajai Shukla ably dem...Hindsight is the best vision. Ajai Shukla ably demonstrates it. In hindsight, one can safely say that Shukla leaving the army was the biggest blunder on the IA's part in failure to retain him. Allah knows that had shukla remained in the army, Doval would not have taken the decision to bring the NSG into it and God knows Allah knows best.<br /><br />Pity the standards at Business Standard have not risen since the advent of Shukla. Obviously allah knew something we did not and allah knows best.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-67927253400288052722016-01-06T05:52:34.208-08:002016-01-06T05:52:34.208-08:00Following quote from Movie Ratatouille aptly fits ...Following quote from Movie Ratatouille aptly fits this piece by Mr.Shukla <br />" In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. "<br />Most of your regular readers are aware of your political bias - and wont be misled easily by this smart attempt of yours.<br /><br />Only time will tell who has the last laugh.Alokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950018603700696312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-16102749916866222732016-01-06T05:00:24.745-08:002016-01-06T05:00:24.745-08:00This article is a good one, author always brings i...This article is a good one, author always brings in another angle in all the matter, I have a question. Who has direct command over NSG? Home ministry or NSA?, I think may be we should bring in another angle, like Home ministry just to take credit has rushed this ops?? just a thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-236967779194707792016-01-06T04:37:49.469-08:002016-01-06T04:37:49.469-08:00Oh dear the good Col throwing muck again and getti...Oh dear the good Col throwing muck again and getting personal (under the veneer of "objective professional analysis). The rumour is Mr Doval has a file on you. Could this be the underlying motive behind this hack job. <br /><br />PHLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-54894113435711297142016-01-06T01:45:48.481-08:002016-01-06T01:45:48.481-08:00I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Shukla.A blatant ca...I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Shukla.A blatant case of mismanagement and incompetence.@rajendra easier for Mr Doval sitting in his lush Delhi office than Mr Shukla with his rough trench experience.You cannot fight a terrorist with a beaurcratic approach.You need a soldier.As long India will rely on these baboos of Delhi these unfortunate incidents will keep on happening and brave sons of motherland will be forced to make unnecessary and avoidable sacrifices.Ikroominoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-81260979779697368682016-01-05T22:06:32.674-08:002016-01-05T22:06:32.674-08:00What stood out in the press briefings on the Patha...What stood out in the press briefings on the Pathankot terror attack is the manner in which the Home Secretary lorded over the conference and even more so, the sycophantic tone in which the Air Marshal who also spoke in the conference referred to the Secretary.What is it about the entire incident which the domain experts would not know better than the Home Secretary? Why does the HS speak at all ? Were civil servants not supposed to be faceless and silent? Is it not enough that the HM speaks, and spokespersons from the security agencies?/Priya VK Singhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14460869610298190471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-28996676013154324242016-01-05T20:11:03.931-08:002016-01-05T20:11:03.931-08:00I agree with the views of Colonel Ajay Shukla, who...I agree with the views of Colonel Ajay Shukla, who has given an impesonal analysis of action taken by NSA on the Pathankot terror alert. NSA happens to be Mr Ajit Doval, a good person and a great patriot, but not conversant with the battle drills which servicemen are used to. A serviceman, in his place would have acted differently and more effectively in this situation. I feel Mr Doval's duties should be immediately handed over to the seniormost service Chief, who should be the Combined Chief of Defence Staff. NSA should only talk to Def, Home or Prime Ministers. What should ideally have been done is being amply commented upon in social media. I am not sure what are the duties of AOC Pathankot Airforce? I know, the COO (Chief of Operations), the pilots and the ground crew should have been alert to strike an assigned targets...<br /><br />Dr Vachaspati Mishrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14088512616402516830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-73786871649442597142016-01-05T19:23:09.660-08:002016-01-05T19:23:09.660-08:00NSR says ---
Everyone is missing the important th...NSR says ---<br /><br />Everyone is missing the important things that India does not have to deal with things like these well planned terrorism and tragedies...<br /><br />India urgently needs ---<br /><br />1. Joint Chiefs with full authority to deal with all services effectively and a sole source to deal with the elected government...Every service chief is like a king in India has very little interest in greater good...<br /><br />2. India and its states badly needs a American FBI like organization to coordinate and disseminate internal security situation...<br /><br />3. NSA should get out of the day to day operation and instead cede those powers to RAW,and Army, Air Force, and Navy intelligence group...<br /><br />4. Definitely wrong to not to use the BSF and Army to tackle cross-border terrorism and it shows in the death of Lt. Colnel....<br /><br />5. I think the story of that SP stinks to high heaven and too fishy...<br /><br />6. Pak Army and ISI is definitely involved in India and Afghanistan...<br /><br />Meet Pak FS and make terrorism as a condition for further dialogue...There are no other choices...Give PM Sharif a chance and let the world see what happens...<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-62987249735221818092016-01-05T13:45:49.484-08:002016-01-05T13:45:49.484-08:00Since the author of this blog is a Veteran of J an...Since the author of this blog is a Veteran of J and K Operations, I accept the well intended but rather blunt criticism. <br /><br />Things That were Spot on correct - <br />1. While we all admire the NSA's enthusiasm and dedication in Counter Terror operations and his readiness to be involved. I think he should let the commander do their jobs and not try to himself become the De Facto command HQ.<br /><br />Recommendation : Form the National Counter Terrorism Center and within which the NSG or a component of it should become its sword arm. The Director of NCTC, must be from IB,Army,NSG,Navy and Airforce in rotation. Directors must have a rich counter terror related experience. <br /><br />NCTC itself should have regional commands which should form response forces consisting of Local police, state police, local IB units, Local Military units and NSG. They should have the ability to collect intel and conduct raids (IB and NSG) or in a pathankot like counter terror operation use all the assets in its command to form a mini Unified Command as done in JandK. They must conduct excersizes for these regularly, so every body knows their role and boss he is to take orders from. <br /><br />NCTC Director must be answerable only to a special Joint Body consisting of Home Minister, Defence Minister and the soon to be developed Chief of Defence Staff. No secretaries or IAS types to be included as a member.<br /><br />2. I hope the talks continue, and that the NSA and foreign Secy propose Joint Operations between State Police forces of both countries on both sides of the border. Example : Punjab Police(India) and Punjab Police(Pak). Starting Small like - Drug busts, Anti Human Trafficking raids to gradual low level terror suspects arrests, extortions etc.<br />Any actions taken must be authorized by warrants from the local court of the land. <br /><br />I state police forces and not military or paramilitaries as the comfort level or chances of acceptance is much lower for militaries working together since they were born and bred to fight each other. <br /><br />Over time it will act as a force against illegal criminal mafias who peddle drugs,traffic children and commit violent crimes. At the same time it will become the greatest CBM. If there are successes both nations can celebrate together. If there is a loss both nations will grieve together. <br /><br />It will also ensure that action is taken as our cops will be witness. After 5-10 years, maybe we can graduate this to Joint anti terror operations if the first proposal is a success in normalizing relations. <br /><br />For all we know 15-20 years later, we may be in a state where India - Pak become like Russia and China in terms of relations and trade.Jean Luc Picardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07523465808756925391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-46771246660240237382016-01-05T12:48:28.589-08:002016-01-05T12:48:28.589-08:00All this while the Armed Forces will continue to f...All this while the Armed Forces will continue to fight with sub standard weapons, aircraft, eavesdropping equipment, and night vision devices (when even the terrorists have access to latest weaponry and sophisticated war paraphernalia) because the DRDO, Ordnanace Factories and the Defence PSUs , will keep the armed forces equipped with sub standard , 80's vintage equipment. However they will be expected to rout the enemy (and terrorists sometimes) with the same sub standard and vintage weapons and war equipment. Sweet !<br /><br />As George Orwell has observed somewhere ..."People Sleep Peacefully in Their Beds at Night Only Because Rough Men Stand Ready to Do Violence (and die)on Their Behalf"<br /><br />Sleep in peace - someone else is standing guard for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-27127415312029675472016-01-05T12:48:04.807-08:002016-01-05T12:48:04.807-08:00The question that riles is - why wasn't the ar...The question that riles is - why wasn't the army called in? <br /><br />They are the most experienced and capable responders when the s#%t hits the fan. They have well rehearsed drills in place - drills that have been perfected over the years fighting terrorists in the Northeast and in J&K. They have decades of experience fighting just this type of terror and they routinely neutralise terrorists in jungles and in urban scenarios in J&K in situations far more challenging and complicated than this. Why, pray , weren't they given the go ahead in the first place?<br /><br />What resulted is a half-baked effort with Punjab Police (who were mute bystanders - look at their pics on media , standing on the sidelines with hands in their pockets), IAF Garud what exactly is this force anyway, and WHAT do they do?) and NSG (specialised Counter Terrorists in a Hostage Rescue / Counter Hijack Scenario) all added to the hodge podge? The lack of clear directions and the obvious absence of coordination has led to such a high attrition- unnecessary loss of lives that needn't have been lost.<br /><br />Who had command of the situation - coordinating fire, locating the terrorists using drones, hitting them from the air , replenishing and stocking of arms & ammunition, night vision devices, batteries and all the impedimenta of war that is required in situations just like these? <br /><br />Who was monitoring the terrorists' phone/ wireless calls, gleaning intelligence if any, and providing it in real time to the person in charge so that action could be taken on them? Did anyone remember to record the phone/ VoIP calls that terrorists made to their handlers in Pak so that these could be presented to Pak (and the world at large) as irrefutable proof of the terrorist attack having been conceived, plotted and originated in Pakistan?<br /><br />Why did the news about Punjab Police SP's abduction by guys dressed in Army fatigues and speaking Urdu/ Punjabi (and using his cellphone to make a call to Pak) did not raise any red flags in the Punjab Administration? Is the Chief Minister asking any hard questions from his police chief? Whose failure was it?<br /><br />Are any heads rolling?<br /> <br />Why did Punjab Police not inform the IB about the possibility of terrorists roaming in their backyard?? What did he do? Why is he still on his post? Why isn't the Chief Minister of the state which was once beset by the most virulent form of insurgency not posing some scathing questions to his police chief?<br /><br />Why did BSF not detect an intrusion from whichever Nallah that the terrorists sneaked into Punjab? Is the Home Minister asking any hard questions from his BSF chief ? Whose failure was it?<br /><br />Is the BSF Chief being sacked?<br /><br />Young (and not so young) Indians have all died fighting, bleeding to death over failures of the BSF, Punjab Police, Punjab State Administration and the Home Ministry (which was eager to tweet end of the operation when it had to retract it statement in a hurry)<br /><br />Will anyone be hauled over hot coals for their irresponsibility ?<br /><br />No.<br /><br />Because we're in the land of "Sab Chalta Hai" (It's business as usual)<br /><br />Chiefs of BSF, IB, Punjab Police will prosper and rise to become Ambassadors/Governors/Politicians while young men from the Armed Forces will keep bleeding to death, protecting the nation from an enemy that snuck in and managed to reach their intended target due to the glaring incompetence of these very gentlemen.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com