Military Way of Aman ki Asha

Ehsan Mehmood Khan
Exclusive Article

The incident of inadvertent intrusion of an Indian Chetak helicopter across the Line of Control in Kargil-Skardu sector of Gilgit-Baltistan region on October 23, 2011 has gone under the dust of political temperature on screens of electronic media channels in Pakistan. Indian media did give it its due. There had been some discussion, though trivial, in Pakistani newspapers wherein the succinct details of the incident were discussed. On the other hand, some from the Indian media and polity took their army from its heels on having embarrassed the nation for being caught up at the hands of Pakistanis. Yet others, though fewer, showed thankfulness for the Pakistani gesture of releasing the helicopter along with the crew of four within hours of forced landing-cum-captivity.

One must concede that soldiers or helicopters can by far stray in the twisty Himalayan valleys, even though it cannot be accepted from professional combatant pilots. Anyway, the Indian pilot did! This has been happening earlier also. For instance, during border escalation between India and Pakistan in 2002-03, an Indian Air Force Antonov (aircraft used for military transportation and logistics), with an air vice marshal aboard, came across the Line of Control along the same route that had been taken by the Chetak helicopter on October 23. Due to military standoff between the two countries, heavy artillery duel were ceaselessly taking place in the area in those days. A Pakistan Army’s air defence detachment, equipped with Pakistan made surface-to-air Anza missile, engaged it accurately. Indian aircraft crash-landed on Kargil airstrip situated just a few kilometres away from the place where targeted. Subsequent news revealed that a high level inquiry was conducted which led to penalty for many including the air vice marshal. The incident of October 23, 2011 was similar in nature insofar as Indian side is concerned but the story is different in case of Pakistan.

Since mountain warfare is the war of peaks, passes and valleys, therefore each inch of the valleys (and of passes and peaks) is covered by crisscrossing fire. Valleys are defended against air violations as much as are against breaches through ground routes. At least the Pakistani side does have a strong system of air defence. The system on ground is also supported by round-the-clock vigilance by Pakistan Air Force. It is supported by the fact that the helicopter was force-landed before it could cross back into Indian Occupied Kashmir. To note, helicopter is nothing more than a flying buffalo and can be ripped into pieces without much ado but it was forced to land and later released.

The incident can be viewed from numerous angles. Firstly, in the dark of Himalayan clouds wherein the Indian helicopter could stray despite all sort proclaimed navigational aids, the Pakistani soldiers on ground do maintain desired level of vigil. Secondly, tactical level Pakistani commanders and young soldiers on ground do have superior professional acumen. They can differentiate between a deliberate and unintended intrusion. They also understand the character of peace and war, and the spirit of ceasefire. Thirdly, Pakistan Army’s capability to capture or confine, and detain or destroy a target is placed well ahead with strong support from Pakistan Air Force; thus the borders are secure. It must also be seen in the backdrop of incursion by American helicopters on May 2, 2011 during operation against Osama bin Laden. In that case, the incursion was from an unexpected side and hence went unbridled. Next time, the Americans too would think (in the words of General Kayani) ten times before embarking on such a gamble. Fourthly, in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden episode, Indian Army Chief, General V. K. Singh and Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal P. V. Naik had claimed that India too had the capability to conduct a US like action inside Pakistan. The claim stands beaten and needs no deliberation. The helicopter incident of October 23, 2011 has proved to be a test case for them and has rebuffed their tall claim. Fourthly, Pakistan Army High Command played a momentous role by returning the helicopter in the spirit of peace and Pakistan’s efforts to build pursue peace in the neighbourhood, even though they could use other options, returning the helicopter and the soldiers aboard through United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) being the least of all. But it could have led to yawning embarrassment for India. Thus, one can tag it as military way of Aman ki Asha, the peace initiative taken up by the Jang Group and the Times of India.

Media reports show that a high level inquiry is being conducted against the helicopter crew. Since the Pakistani soldiers had excused the unintentionally intruding Indian helicopter, may be in the sprit of “Aman ki Asha,” rather than using them as a bounty, it is expected that the Indian high command would also consider to excuse them for the human error.
The writer is a freelance columnist and a regular contributor to pkarticleshub.com