Pulwama, Balakot and Abhinandan

The month of February 2019 saw an unprecedented escalation of things between India and Pakistan. On Feb 14th in Pulwama, the vehicle carrying 40 CRPF personnel was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber. The intelligence regarding this attack was shared weeks before but sufficient safeguards or security looks were not in place.

The Indian Air Force in retaliation conducted the non military preemptive strikes in Balakot on the 26th February targetting the terror establishments which is said to have ripped apart the terror machinery and killed around 300 terrorists. (The Joint press conference by the three defence establishments on 28th Feb said that the intended strikes achieved the results).

Very soon Pakistan Jets (F-16) retaliated on the 27th and the IAF scrambled the MIG’s in response. As the 24 jets reached near the LoC, three Pakistani F-16s aircrafts flew towards India, while the rest went back to their respective airfields.

India retaliated by scrambling two MiG-21 aircraft to intercept the Pakistani F-16s. Accompanying the MiGs were six aircraft that provided cover as well as flank protection — two more MiG 21s, two Su-30s and two Mirage 2000s.

Wing Commander Abhinandan was in the thick of action and had to eject into the Pakistan controlled part of J&K. He was captured and the videos were quickly out in the social media. The whole country was in a shock when this happened. The entire India wanted Abhi back and peace to prevail. As on March 1, the entire country is waiting for Abhinandan to come back as promised in the Pakistan Parliament by PM Imran Khan as a peace gesture. In midst of all this we can take take some lessons in life.

1. If we are aware of a threat, we should take precautionary steps as much as possible. A security lapse can prove fatal. This holds true in our spiritual lives as well.
2. Peace and terrorism cannot co exist. What knowingly or unknowingly we grow in our backyard can become a great problem if not handled well. See it from the perspective of sound character as well.
3. When an attack comes (in any level), be equipped to fight it out. What the MIG’s did (though an old aircraft) was praiseworthy. The powerful F-16 was shot down. We win many battles by our readiness itself. Be equipped always and give it our best shot.
4. Don’t ever compare what you have with what the opponent got. Give your best shot with what you are equipped with. Here MIG’s were no where near what the F-16’s had. Yet it was enough to secure the borders in a very alarming situation.
5. The entire nation was looking to hear from the political leadership on what was going on. Till now there has not been a word from the Indian leadership on what went on and this is definitely not the way to go about. The entire nation stands with the leadership but when the leadership is silent, it sends negative signals and can demoralise.
6. The poise and dignity shown by Wing Cmdr Abhinandan was just amazing. The calm demeanour and knowing which questions to answer in enemy territory was a great eye opener.
7. Captain Abhinandan’s dad was a commander too and no wonder the whole nation salutes this family for the service rendered unto her. These are selfless individuals whose only motive is service. When we are a service driven society we win. How we serve God, how we serve the nation, how we serve one another, these are the ways we bless lives!
8. Captain Abhinandan fought for the country, risked his life and though in hostile situations kept his dignity. He was blindfolded, yet he was crisp in communication and kept his calmness. Let’s learn to be calm even in the face of danger.

“Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.” (Proverbs 20:18)