Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

This is an extreme U.S. provocation of China, with the potential to become a festering hotspot. Moreover the conflict between India and Pakistan will most probably ascend to ominous heights. Obviously this is done with Bush’s blessing or perhaps he even suggested it to India his new found ally.

The Indian government announced the use of air force against militants the day Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from his visit to the United States.

From the moment they took office, President George Bush and his administration were keen to do everything they could to counter the expanding Chinese military, one way being to develop a relationship with India.
#msg-7086905

India and Pakistan are both nuclear powers – what the hell is Washington thinking?


Note:
In addition to India the US-Japan alliance is part of at least a two pronged attack against China and will be used in conjunction with the US attempt to retake Kyrgyzstan.
#msg-7148743

-Am



India to use air force against Kashmiri fighters


Muhammad Saleh Zaafir
Jul 26 2005, 05:57 AM
ISLAMABAD: India has decided to use its air force against freedom fighters in the Indian army's ongoing operations in occupied Kashmir. It is for the first time after the Kargil conflict of 1999 that the Indian air force will be in action in the occupied valley.

India lost at least six planes in the brief and limited operation of Kargil. One Indian pilot was also captured by Pakistan when his plane was shot down on this side of the border. He was returned to India after a few days.

The Indian government announced the use of air force against militants the day Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned from his visit to the United States. Indian Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel announced the decision in New Delhi Saturday. He said the security forces in the area (held Kashmir) will soon be able to call for air cover to have an upper hand in the operations (against militants). He assured that some most modern equipment and communication system would also be provided to the security forces there.

Defence observers are, however, terming the decision of Indian government significant as it could give the conflict a new dimension. Supersonic speed aircraft would find it difficult to keep themselves within the sky over the Indian-occupied territory in the difficult and complex Line of Control (LoC) terrain in terms of ground maps. Indian air force used high-tech multi-role Mairrage-2000 and MIG planes in the Kargil conflict.

The observers are of the view that since India will activate its air force, the development will force Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to enhance its role to meet any situation. The PAF did not come in action during the Kargil episode due to the reasons. India had to suffer huge losses in Kargil and the Kashmir dispute got a place on front burner of the international affairs.

With the induction of Indian Air Force (IAF) in the operations of occupied Kashmir, the PAF will have to extend extra vigil over one thousand kilometres skyline. IAF has about a dozen small and large airstrips in occupied Kashmir but Srinagar and Laih have big bases which could be used for heavy operations where the high-profile planes can land and take off smoothly.

Introduction of the air force may, however, aggravate the situation further as the Indian operation may not remain confined to specific targets. The same may also play havoc with innocent civilian lives in hilly terrains, who may easily become target of such actions.

The PAF is fully capable of thwarting any violation or serious breach of rules of the game in these areas and the development will certainly increase the intensity of operations and air activity on both sides of the border where a ceasefire is holding since November 2003.

Meanwhile, India has decided to enter into talks with the moderate faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) led by Mir Waiz Umar Farooq. Mir Waiz has been asked by New Delhi to send the consent of his faction for dialogue with the government. It would be the first occasion after the visit of APHC-moderate leaders to Pakistan that they would be having talks with the Indian union government. It is expected that the talks would take place next month as Pakistan and India will be discussing Kashmir dispute at the senior level some time next month. The APHC will impress upon the Indian government to associate the Kashmiri leaders formally in talks with Pakistan while India has been demonstrating reluctance on this count.




http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2005-dai...main/main15.htm