In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian armed forces have been mobilised to conduct a series of mock drills, sending out a clear indication that India is clearly in a mood to hit the attackers and their backers with full force.
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00:00Hello and welcome to an India Today special broadcast. I'm Gaurav Sawant on 5 Live, our top focus story, a series of joint exercises by the Army, Navy and Air Force.
00:11These are drills that are being perfected for operations, try services, exercises and let me get you details of what's been happening in the past 48 hours since that terrible, terrible Pakistan state-sponsored radical Islamist terror attack that took place at Behelgam.
00:27Now, some of these exercises are to test precision strike capabilities of our armed forces, to carry out operations including raids and insertions to capture vital assets and vital points behind enemy lines.
00:40So, for example, warriors of the Southwestern Command of the Indian Army are carrying out a series of training maneuvers in the desert sector to sharpen their skills for operations.
00:49The Sand Viper Brigade, for example, is presently part of the exercises underway in the desert sector focusing on precision, power and coordination during combined arms maneuvers and training.
01:02And over the course of the next one hour, we get you details of these op exercises of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
01:10And we have experts to tell you what these exercises mean.
01:14We'll also tell you what's happening on the other side of the hill.
01:18What's the adversary or that state sponsor of radical Islamist terror Pakistan doing?
01:24I'm Gaurav Sawant.
01:26First, as always, let's get started with the headlines on 5 Live.
01:30Pakistan admits to dirty terror backing Pakistan's Defense Minister Khwaja Asif says have been doing this dirty work for the U.S. for three decades.
01:46Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organizations.
01:55Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, you know.
02:01And West, including Britain.
02:06Houses of local terrorists who helped plot the Pehalgaam terror attacks blown up homes of Asif and Adil who helped the Pakistani terrorists demolished.
02:24Was the Pehalgaam terror strike by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists inspired by Hamas?
02:30Hamas leaders had met Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists days before the Pehalgaam attack.
02:37Hamas was given VVIP welcome in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in February.
02:43Supreme Court slams Rahul Gandhi for his comments against Veer Savarkar says even Indira Gandhi had praised Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
03:00Center files an affidavit in Supreme Court on the VAKF law.
03:08Government defends the VAKF law in its reply in the Supreme Court says VAKF by user only through registration of property and two non-Muslim members will be allowed on the VAKF board.
03:21MFVIP.
03:22MFVIP.
03:23MFVIP.
03:24MFVIP.
03:25MFVIP.
03:26MFVIP.
03:27swift silent surgical india displays military prowess desert warriors gear up
03:47ianis surat achieves a new maritime milestone
03:54rafaz and sukois in the skies
04:00india ups the ante against pakistan
04:05pakistan spooked scrambles at lo see
04:10what will be india's next move top focus on five light
04:15their skills for operations now there are a series of drills that are currently being perfected
04:36not just by the army but also the navy and the air force
04:39and especially in the past 48 hours
04:41some of these exercises are to test precision strike capabilities of our armed forces to carry out operations
04:46including raids and insertions to capture vital assets and vital points of india's enemies
04:52these are soldiers who are practicing for operations behind enemy lines
04:57not just shallow raids but deeper raids behind enemy lines
05:01the sand viper brigade for example
05:02it's part of a current exercise that's currently underway in the desert sector
05:06focusing on precision power and coordination during combined arms maneuvers training now combined arms is
05:13not just infantry and artillery but infantry artillery armor engineers the service arms the support arms all of them
05:21both of them operating in tandem the images that you see on your television screen that's a display of exceptional synchronized movement firepower and communication of indian army tanks armored personal carriers and command control and communication system
05:40in the air force they say
05:42the more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war
05:46in the central sector you have the Rafale Omnirole fighter jets and the Sukho A30 MKI and these are air superiority and air dominance fighters that are taking part
05:56in what is being described as extremely critical in what is being described as extremely critical C4I2SR exercises and the armed forces are you know when they talk about C4I2SR let me tell you what that means
06:10C4 includes command control communication I2 is information intelligence and SR is surveillance and reconnaissance so these are part of C4I2SR operations that are currently being perfected and this enables commanders to effectively deploy
06:24deploy their resources in the battle their weapons including their armed UAVs in any battle scenario for manned unmanned operations in tandem surveillance and attack operations from air to ground and air to air using diverse platforms
06:41remember the Su-30 MKIs are of Russian origin they can carry up to 8 tons of weapons the French made 4.5 generation not exactly 5th generation but 4.5 generation
06:53Rafale fighter jets can carry up to 9 tons plus of weapons including the meteor air to air missiles the scalp cruise missiles for long range ground targets and this is something remember Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Balakot had said if we had the Rafales Pakistanis wouldn't have attempted their operation swift retort the next day after Balakot
07:16do keep in mind India now has the Rafales with its BVRs or beyond visual range missiles the Indian Navy meanwhile has its warships out in the Arabian Sea and submarines wherever they may be lurking under sea
07:32the Indian Navy successfully test fired a medium range surface to air missile and MR SAM as part of its air defense system on board the latest guided missile destroyer that's INS Surat in the Arabian Sea
07:46the Indian Navy in a statement said and I quote INS Surat successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea skimming target marking another milestone in strengthening of our defense capabilities unquote
08:01So while these exercises and many of these exercises are regular skilling and upskilling and testing of concepts for soldiers and commanders on ground the timing very close after Pakistan state sponsored radical Islamist terror targeted innocent civilians in
08:18And that massive spike in India and Pakistan add a new dimension to the operational preparedness efforts of the armed forces and they are all working in tandem in these operations
08:32I quickly want to cut across to India today's Kamal Jeet Kaur Sandhu joining us from ground zero in Jammu and Kashmir Kamal is in Srinagar currently
08:41Kamal the army chief was in Srinagar the army chief toured around the area what more can you tell us about operations on ground before I come to you for details of the exercises that are currently underway
08:55These are multifaceted operations and remember on war footing there has been a step up as far as vigilance is concerned
09:06So we have seen at line of control near Bandipura that's where counter terror operations have taken place
09:11There's also operations taking place in the hinterland be it Kulgaam be it Tral area be it other places
09:19We also saw there's a synergy between Jammu Kashmir police the CRPF the Indian army all working in tandem
09:26This is extremely important because the war preparedness is one thing but work in tandem
09:32especially once the terrorists have infiltrated in is another thing
09:37So this is where the security forces led by the Indian army are looking at having operations
09:43There's a heightened sense of vigil
09:45Now there has been a small exchange of firearms especially at the line of control between both the Indian and the Pakistani army
09:52And obviously the provocation coming in from Pakistan the ceasefire violations something that they have been doing all along
10:00But at this point of time Pakistan knows very well they have crossed the red line
10:06Which also means there has been a response be it during the Udi attack be it during the Pulwama attack
10:13And thereafter Pahlgaam becomes a new benchmark of sorts
10:17So yes there's been a diplomatic measure which has been taken place
10:20But remember when Union Home Minister Amit Shah was here he did speak to the security forces
10:25There are several plans on the table and that's when all party meeting took place
10:30Okay
10:31But remember they are also looking and scanning through the launch pads the terror launch pads
10:38And we've been told there are at least 42 of them where there are active terrorists operating from there
10:44And this is where there are also a whole lot of underscanners
10:48So they are just awaiting a green signal not from the government
10:52And thereafter we know the sort of war games
10:55Keep tracking that story
10:56Which have been taken here for years and months
10:59That comes
11:00Keep tracking that story I will come back to you for more
11:02Kamaljeet Korsandhu for the moment
11:03Many thanks
11:04Now what are India's options?
11:07What do these exercises mean?
11:09And I have three top commanders of the armed forces joining me on this special broadcast
11:14Each and every one of them has dealt with the threat that India faces
11:19Not just on the northern borders
11:20But also the threat that's posed by Pakistan state sponsored radical Islamist terror
11:26My proud privilege to welcome on this special broadcast
11:29Lieutenant General Arun Sani
11:30Former general officer commanding in chief of the south eastern command
11:35He joins me on the show former army commander
11:37Also joining me is vice-admiral A.K. Singh
11:40Former flag officer commanding in chief eastern naval command
11:43And on this special broadcast with me is air marshal Sanjeev Kapoor
11:47Former director general flight safety and inspections
11:49A former fighter pilot of the Indian air force
11:52And we'll talk to all three guests of ours
11:54But before I come to our guests to understand what the meaning of these exercises
11:58I want to tell our viewers that there's a massive spike in tensions between India and Pakistan
12:04This after Pakistan state sponsored terror attack in India in Pehelgaam
12:10Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a pledge
12:14He made it very clear
12:16India will track trace and punish the perpetrators of terror
12:19And also those who shield them and support them
12:2326 people have lost their lives
12:25India is very clear
12:27India is very clear
12:28The perpetrators will be found wherever they may be hiding
12:32Even if it's on the other side of the globe
12:35India's resolve has never been clearer
12:38The diplomatic showdown has intensified
12:41The nation appears to be taking very strong and decisive action in response to Pakistan's repeated terror activities in our country
12:50So where is the balance of power?
12:52Is it shifting in India's favor decisively?
12:55And is it clear?
12:56India is not going to back down despite Pakistan's nuclear bogey
13:01We get you more in this report
13:03India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer
13:21A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised India will crush terror and its supporters
13:27New Delhi has turned up the heat many notches
13:30The Home Ministry has given instructions to cancel all visas related to Pakistan
13:37Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to all chief ministers
13:41All states have been told to remove Pakistani citizens on Indian visit
13:46Army Chief General Upendra Divedi is in Srinagar to review the situation
13:52He was briefed about the ongoing operations in the valley
13:56He also met Jammu in Kashmir LG for security review
14:01The diplomatic war between India and Pakistan has escalated further
14:06After India suspended the Indus Water Treaty
14:09Pakistan responded by suspending the Shimla agreement
14:13While India closed the Atari border in Amritsar
14:16Pakistan responded by closing down its post on the other side in Vaga
14:21India has also revoked visas for Pakistan nationals
14:24Forcing them to leave immediately
14:27In retaliation, Pakistan has cancelled visas of Indians under SARC scheme
14:32While India declared Pakistan defence officers in India persona non grata
14:37Pakistan responded by expelling Indian defence advisers
14:41The situation at LOC also remains tense
14:45Even as Pakistan violates ceasefire
14:48Pakistani nationals currently visiting India
14:52Are rushing to reach the Atari Vaga border to return home
14:56They have a 48 hour deadline to leave the country
15:00Following India's decision to suspend the SARC visa exemption scheme
15:04In the wake of Tuesday's Pehelga massacre
15:11I am in the Sanger Jilad, my wife is in Pakistan
15:15And I want to go to Pakistan
15:17What is the situation now? Are you holding Indian passport?
15:20I am feeling that we will leave India and Pakistan
15:25When we give them time, we were worried about
15:28We have to cross the border quickly
15:30It is time of 48 hours
15:31The time is left to be left to be left with Pakistan
15:34So now they will be left with visa exemption
15:36Because they are all 10, 8, 5 years old
15:39Now there is a sense of panic at the Atari border
15:42Where the Pakistani nationals have gathered in big number
15:46To return back to their countries
15:47These Pakistani nationals had came to here
15:50To meet their relatives, near ones, dear ones
15:52But now after the closure of the border was announced
15:55There is a sense of panic for the people to return back
15:57Not only the Pakistani nationals are going back
16:00But also Indians who are married in Pakistan are also heading back
16:05Although they are in a sense of panic that they will be allowed or not
16:09After launching the diplomatic strikes in Pakistan
16:12Indian Army, Navy and Air Force conducted special exercises
16:17The Indian Army's Saptashakti Command executed a special helibone operation rehearsal in Southwestern Command
16:26The exercise underlines the growing prominence of helibone tactics in India's defence playbook
16:33The Indian Air Force conducted exercise Akraman moving from eastern sector to central sector
16:40Indian Air Force pilots carried out missions for mountain and ground targets
16:45Including long-range sorties
16:47With Aseem Bassi at the Vaga border and Meer Fareed from Pehelgam
16:54Bureau Report, India Today
16:56General Saani, you've operated very extensively along India's western borders
17:09When you look at these exercises being carried out by the sand wipers
17:14When you see these exercises that have been carried out
17:16The helibone operations
17:18What's the signal?
17:19What is India signaling if there is a signal in these exercises, sir?
17:25Good evening, Gaurav
17:26Good to be on your show
17:27Thank you, sir
17:28I'll just recollect what we spoke about two days back
17:32And I said, it is time now that the response that happens in the kinetic domain
17:37Whether it is by contact or non-contact methodology
17:41Needs to hit where it pinches the maximum
17:44And that is the Indian, the Pakistan Army
17:47Which is the perpetuator behind these operations and the political hierarchy that exists
17:52And now that issues have come out that people like Hafiz Saeed and his deputy
17:58Actually behind this whole orchestration of this heinous act that happened in Pehelgam
18:03I think, from what I can understand, the political hierarchy at the apex level is looking at
18:09Going in with a military option where there would be kinetic attacks
18:14Which could be, as I said, by non-contact
18:16Whether you do it by air, you do it by drones
18:19Or whether you go in for a physical incursions into the, across the border
18:25Along the LOC
18:26Now, the issue that really comes out of this is
18:28That once you do
18:30Tread into this particular area
18:32As has come out in the Russia-Ukraine war
18:34There is a possibility that there will be a reaction
18:37As we saw that when we had the Balakot as well
18:40Yes
18:41Now, how will that reaction manifest?
18:43So, if that reaction manifests
18:45There is a necessity for us to ensure
18:47That we are at the peak of our operational efficiency at that stage
18:51Fortunately, I think that is as far as the options of looking at the military is concerned
18:58Because what, the way the response comes
19:00Will require and necessitate our readiness both on ground as well as in air
19:06You know, since you mentioned, since you mentioned Jalsani, Balakot and Pakistan's swift retort
19:15Air Marshal Kapoor, we would like to understand from you
19:18Because India is very proud of Balakot airstrikes
19:22Some mirages went in across the L.C.
19:25Hit across the international border in Khaywar Pakhtoonghua
19:28And every aircraft returned back safe
19:31Landed safely in India
19:33As far as Pakistan is concerned
19:34Their response the next day
19:36The large package that Pakistan launched
19:39Multiple fighter jets
19:41They didn't cross the L.C.
19:42But fired multiple
19:44By some accounts more than 50 missiles
19:47Some fell very close to our
19:49Some of our vital assets and points
19:52And MiG-21 was lost
19:54And Wing Commander Abhinandan was taken prisoner of war
19:57Are we better prepared in 2025?
20:02Yes, of course we are better prepared
20:04The last Kermish took place in 2019
20:07And like you mentioned in your preliminary coverage of this whole thing
20:11Not only have we developed and our DRDU has produced BrahMos and other weapons of that caliber
20:18We have also got Rafal's which has like Chief Master Dharno had said at that time
20:23That if I had Rafal's at that stage
20:26Equation would have been different
20:28We have been training hard from 2019 for similar situations
20:34But it is a dynamic thing
20:36In air campaigns
20:37The same template cannot apply the next day
20:40Each minute
20:41The situation changes as per the deployment
20:43And radars on ground
20:45The air defense setups
20:46And the enemy orbit
20:48That is the operational movements of the platforms
20:52So as I gather from the open sources
20:54And as what is available on Flight 24 radar
20:57There is a constant flow of their aircrafts all across our border
21:04And with the stoppage of Indian overflights
21:07Even for our commercial and civil aeroplanes
21:10They have not taken any chance
21:12That in the guise of a commercial aeroplane
21:15We can snack in a package or something
21:18Along with a commercial aeroplane
21:22To take them by surprise
21:24Of course, they are also better prepared this time
21:27It is not that they are not prepared
21:29We should not underestimate any
21:31Oh, absolutely
21:32And we should work
21:35But the movement of Ackerman exercise
21:39Wherein the achats are being moved
21:41Because see the mobilization
21:43Both for the army, the navy and the air force
21:46Is a time consuming thing
21:48So the preparation for war starts with mobilization
21:53So now it is taken to what extent
21:56It could be a limited campaign
21:59It could be a prolonged campaign
22:01It could be area specific
22:03It could be an isolated activity
22:06We don't know
22:07But it's very interesting
22:09Because you know
22:10My mind goes back to the parliament attack in 2001
22:14And the moment
22:16Then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee directed the services to respond
22:20We were told that it would require three days
22:24Three weeks to prepare to respond
22:26And by then it was too late
22:27I want to understand the dynamics
22:29The changes in cold start
22:31Integrated battle groups
22:32The responses
22:33All of that in a bit
22:34But Admiral A.K. Singh
22:36Navy is usually seen as the silent arm
22:39The silent weapon
22:40And you are a submariner
22:42So you know
22:43The biggest strength could be lurking under sea
22:45I want to understand your take on the testing of this MR SAM
22:51Or medium range surface to air missile
22:53On board the guided missile destroyer INS Surat
22:55Is that also seen as signalling Air Marshal Singh
22:59Admiral Singh
23:01Look I am not sure
23:02Whether testing a surface to air missile is a signal or not
23:05But I think the Pakistanis are well aware of the Indian Navy's capabilities
23:09We just need the target coordinates
23:12Date and time from the government of India
23:14And we can hit those targets as standoff ranges
23:17With missiles from our ships
23:19From our submarines
23:20And also from our aircraft
23:24MiG-29 jets also have got standoff weapons
23:28We can also launch marine commandos
23:31From sea
23:32To destroy targets
23:33So we are quite ready
23:34And frankly
23:36I would expect by now
23:37Most of our assets are at sea
23:39And well prepared for whatever orders come
23:43And we can carry out these attacks
23:45Either singly
23:46Or in coordination with the army and air force
23:48It just depends on what the government of India wants
23:50How interesting
23:51And it sounds extremely extremely you know divine if I may in terms of
23:58If I take your mind back to 1971
24:00And how Karachi was burning for 11 days
24:03But what kind of targets
24:05Given that they have killed you know our innocent civilians
24:09They were massacred
24:10They were killed at point blank range
24:12Would any response by the army, navy and air force be seen as a massive escalation
24:18Considering there has already been a surgical strike
24:20There has been an air strike
24:21Are we to understand this time it would be navy or combined
24:26And would Pakistan see that as major escalation?
24:28General Sani you first
24:29General Sani you first
24:30And then let's quickly take it by rotation
24:34Yeah
24:35Gaurav firstly let me tell you
24:37If you have to hurt the system out there
24:40It has to be the Punjabi musulman and the territory there
24:43So I think firstly if you are looking at targets in a response
24:47To be able to make an impact
24:49I think that's the area where we need to go
24:51As you said there are standoff weapons
24:53There are drones, there are aircrafts, there are missiles that can be used
24:57But the point that we have to remember is
24:59And that's what the indication of the services carrying out their training
25:03And honing their skills along the border
25:05Is to be prepared for a reaction that could be in any of the three dimensions
25:09Or and if it comes in those dimensions
25:11We are prepared to be able to tackle it
25:13We identify the point and place of entry
25:16We look at and exploit the advantages that we have
25:19And if it is feasible
25:22Try and restrict this within the boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir
25:26Because that's where the whole focus remains
25:28So I'd leave it at that
25:29That yes we are
25:31There is a possibility
25:32The armed forces are ready
25:34All the three services
25:35Depending on how they react
25:36And in the meantime
25:38The current set of exercises
25:40Though an issue of signaling
25:43Are also possibly
25:45The honing of the final bit of battle drills
25:48That you want to do
25:49It's like to get the adrenaline flowing at the highest levels
25:51Before you come in contact
25:53And these exercises are a means
25:55By which you can try and ensure
25:57That the morale is at the highest
25:59When we decide to do what we decide to do
26:01The pain, the anguish, the anger is there
26:06Every Indian is very upset
26:08And perhaps Prime Minister Narendra Modi
26:10Articulated India's pain from Bihar
26:14When he said we will hunt, trace, track
26:16And perhaps destroy the terrorists and their perpetrators
26:21But what I want to understand from you, A. Marshall Kapoor
26:24You know, when General Sani says that
26:26Pakistani Punjabi Musulman has to be hurt
26:29And he has to feel the pain
26:31Their military jihad infrastructure has to feel the pain
26:34But if the strike is in POJK
26:36Pakistan Occupy Jammu and Kashmir
26:38Does that Pakistani Punjabi Musulman feel the pain?
26:40Or for that, is the Indus Water Treaty
26:43Held in abeyance
26:44Sent across a message that twists their tail?
26:47You are absolutely correct Gaurav in this way
26:51In identifying
26:52And like General Sani said
26:54The Punjabi Muslims are hated by everybody in Pakistan
26:59Be it a Bolochi, be it a Sindhi, be it a Pashtun
27:03Be it from Khyber, from Gilgit, Balkistan
27:06Everybody
27:07Because the reason is that
27:09The Punjabis have captured and are dominating
27:13Every important vertical in Pakistan
27:16Be it the army
27:17Be it business
27:18Be it the government
27:20Be it the bureaucracy
27:22Now nothing and nothing moves out of this
27:24Okay
27:25So the first effect of the Indus Water Treaty is
27:30That all the higher three rivers, ripened rivers
27:34Don't go through Punjab
27:35So what they have done is they have built dams and canals
27:38Which has been feeding this area of Punjab
27:42And very less water is going because the deltas are close to Sindh area
27:46Yes
27:47It is in the southwest direction of Pakistan
27:50So this whole water is channelized to Punjab
27:52Now with this water stopping
27:54Like if we make our own dams and we don't share our reservoir depths
27:58And we are choosy about releasing water the time and place we want
28:03This will lead to a situation where in few years the area will become like desert
28:11Okay
28:12And it will be like Rajasthan for a long period the area of Punjab
28:16They are dreading that more because they control and hold this complete land there
28:21Okay
28:22Would not want their land in any way to be in a position which cannot be utilized
28:27Sir stay with me for a moment before I come to Admiral Singh
28:30There's breaking news coming in from Jammu and Kashmir
28:32That's a big story
28:33The armed forces, the army
28:35And it's a coordinated operation with the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir police
28:39They have intensified the anti-terror operations in South Kashmir
28:44We are told there are massive search operations that are going on in and around Pulwama
28:49These are operations that are currently underway in a place called Karimabad in Pulwama
28:55Watch these images
28:56This is a house intervention operation that is currently underway
29:00I want to show you these images full frame for a moment
29:04Because this is where soldiers are going room to room, door to door
29:09Opening every cupboard
29:12And of course there are times that terrorists are hiding in a false ceiling in the house
29:17There are times that are hiding under false flooring in the house
29:21You have to be very very careful
29:23And this is extremely extremely dangerous
29:26The house intervention drill that's currently being carried out
29:30This unfortunately in the past has been fatal in multiple operations
29:35This is perhaps one of the most difficult parts of an operation
29:39When you have to do building intervention or house intervention
29:42Because you don't know
29:43A terrorist could be hiding behind which window, which wall, which door
29:49Hiding behind a cupboard, hiding inside the bed, the bed box
29:53And the moment you open the bed box, he's waiting and he'll open fire
29:57What is worse, there are times that that suicide bomber, that terrorist who usually is a suicide bomber at times
30:06He'll have a grenade in his hand with the pin removed
30:09And as soon as you catch him, he'll just remove that pin
30:12And he knows he's going to die
30:14His life doesn't matter
30:16Unfortunately, our brave soldiers
30:18They put themselves in harm's way
30:21Put themselves at grave risk
30:23Remember, our soldiers at this point of time
30:26He's not thinking about his mother
30:29His father
30:30His daughter
30:31His son
30:32His wife
30:33His fiance
30:35His girlfriend
30:36He's only thinking about his buddy
30:39Who must remain safe
30:41About his section
30:43That must remain safe
30:44If it's a platoon
30:46Then the platoon commander wants to ensure that the entire platoon
30:49Has dinner together
30:51Smiling
30:52There are times unfortunately
30:53And I've reported this on ground
30:55And at times in great pain
30:56When you lose a soldier in operation
30:59In such times
31:01Because the terrorists could be hiding
31:03In a false ceiling in the house
31:05And these wooden houses at times
31:08They have a false ceiling
31:09They have a false wall
31:11They have a concealed flooring
31:13They have a floor beneath the floor
31:16And suddenly the terrorist will emerge
31:18With his assault rifle
31:22And press the trigger in automatic mode
31:25And all 28 bullets come
31:27Just gushing out
31:29And survival becomes next to zero
31:31That is why
31:32Wearing that bulletproof patka
31:34Or that bulletproof jacket
31:35Is very essential in operations
31:37And then of course
31:38It's in God's hands
31:40That our soldiers remain safe
31:43In these counter terror operations
31:45They go house to house
31:47Door to door
31:49Village to village
31:51Clearing an area
31:53I want to quickly bring in
31:58Admiral Singh into this conversation
32:00Admiral Singh
32:01While this operation is on in Jammu and Kashmir
32:05While the LC appears to be hotting up
32:08And I'll talk about the LC in just a bit
32:10I want to understand from you
32:12Is that silent arm of the Indian armed forces
32:14The Navy
32:15The biggest
32:16One of the biggest threats
32:17That Pakistan faces
32:18Even in international waters
32:20If there's an exercise
32:21Karachi could be blockaded
32:23Gwadar could be blockaded
32:24Or is there a threat now of China and Pakistan
32:27Operating in tandem
32:28Or is that a threat for the future
32:30Not currently
32:31See if the government of India
32:34If the government of India decides
32:35To go up the escalation ladder
32:37Forget Karachi and Gwadar
32:39We can blockade the entire Pakistan coast
32:42Completely
32:43Not a single ship will get in and out
32:45And I suspect Pakistan will run out of fuel
32:48Diesel etc. within 72 to 96 hours
32:51I don't know what the reserves are
32:53But there will be no ship getting in or out
32:56That is absolutely guaranteed
32:58Now with regard to China
33:00Just remember that
33:01We have factored in Chinese operations
33:03The Chinese will be operating at about 4,000 miles
33:06From their base ports
33:07Without any support
33:08So if they do decide to get into this
33:11They will have some unpleasant surprises coming also
33:15We have
33:16We do not have to deal with the entire Chinese Navy
33:19We have to deal only with what they can deploy here
33:22In the Indian Ocean region
33:23And what the Pakistanis can deploy
33:25And I am very, very sure
33:27We have got more than enough forces for all these people
33:30And in terms of sophistication
33:32Our present generation of warships and submarines
33:35Are very, very sophisticated
33:36With enormous capabilities
33:38Okay
33:39We can go right up the escalation ladder
33:41And in case it goes to a shootout at the end
33:45War breaks out
33:46Well, we will destroy the Pakistan Navy
33:48I have no doubts about it
33:50Oh, I have absolutely no doubts about it
33:52I am very confident
33:53But, you know, that confidence
33:55Must percolate down
33:57To the last Indian on ground
33:59And that is why
34:00We have three of
34:01Amongst the finest voices on matters
34:03Military on India today
34:06Generals who have commanded armies
34:08And army, navy and air force
34:10In very critical time
34:11They know what they are talking about
34:13In General Sani
34:14When we look at the situation
34:16Along the line of control
34:18770 kilometers long line of control
34:22Pakistan wanted a ceasefire
34:24And since 2021
34:25Pakistan had a ceasefire
34:27But did that benefit Pakistan more than us?
34:29They could move soldiers
34:31Along their AFPAC border
34:32Into Balochistan
34:34To deal with the situation
34:35In Khaybar Pakhtunkhwa
34:36Peaceful here
34:37But they continue to bleed us through terrorists
34:39After what happened in Uri
34:41After what's happened
34:42You know, in Uri
34:43Two days ago
34:44When two terrorists were killed
34:45The Pakistan army
34:46Aided their infiltration
34:47After what happened in Pahalgam
34:48Should the LC light up once again?
34:51Or is that disadvantage in India
34:53In your appreciation?
34:55May I put it like this?
34:57That any unfolding of plans
35:00That have to happen on ground
35:01Or actions on ground
35:02Should be part of a plan
35:04I think just activating the whole border
35:07Firing across aimlessly
35:09At targets
35:10Which are really in the tactical realm
35:12Is not really going to give you dividends
35:14But I think
35:15Where it matters
35:16Where you're looking at
35:17Making gains
35:19100%
35:20You will have to activate your borders
35:22And utilize it
35:23So I think
35:24Selective
35:25Based on a plan
35:26I don't think
35:27A haphazard firing across the ALC
35:29Starting from 14 core
35:30Right up to
35:3116 core
35:32That has come down
35:33All the way down to
35:34Madhapur Headworks
35:35I don't think
35:36That's the answer
35:37But I think
35:38Yes
35:39Two things
35:40Where you've got an aim
35:41And I'm sure
35:42The current set of leadership
35:43In the military
35:44And the political
35:45Would have worked it out
35:46Where they want to go
35:47And I think
35:48Whether it is part of deception
35:49Whether it is part of strategic gains
35:51Whether it is part of
35:52Hitting a tactical
35:54Or an operational depth target
35:56Which has actually been
35:57A pinpreet
35:58Which will be aware
35:59To the people
36:00And commanders on ground
36:01That's how we should look at
36:02Activating this front
36:03But may I just also
36:04Just put a word of caution
36:06I think
36:07The political hierarchy
36:08Will have to really
36:09And I think
36:10We couldn't have had
36:11A better Prime Minister today
36:12Than Prime Minister Modi
36:13Who is strong
36:14Who is resolute
36:15And who is very clear headed
36:16In taking decisions
36:17But I think
36:18This will be a very
36:19Very weighted decision
36:20Because he is sitting
36:21In the hot chair
36:22And anything that you start
36:23In the kinetic domain
36:25Whether it is contact
36:26Non-contact
36:27Does have the thing
36:28Of going in the escalation
36:29And that is where
36:30I think the country
36:31Has to be now prepared
36:32To be ready to accept
36:34That if you go to war
36:35There are things
36:36Are not going to be
36:37As hunky-dory
36:38As we have been seeing it
36:39Whether it is the economics
36:40Whether it is the loss of lives
36:42Because it is against
36:43An organized army
36:44That you are going
36:45And you saw that
36:46In Russia Ukraine war
36:47I mean that
36:48Blitzkrieg
36:49Of an operation
36:50Which started off
36:51With their tactical groupings
36:53Or integrated battalion groups
36:55That they wanted to move out
36:56Had to be re-vectored
36:57In suddenly five days
36:58Down the line
36:59So I think
37:00We are fighting again
37:01We have an asymmetrical advantage
37:03But the enemy is also
37:05With I mean I would say
37:08Is well a professional army
37:10So you would see reactions
37:11That are coming in
37:12So I think
37:13The gambit has to be
37:14Now ready for this
37:15And it has to be
37:16Unfolding to a plan
37:17The current exercises
37:18Are signaling also
37:19While honing your own skills
37:21About telling them
37:22That our intentions
37:23Are extremely
37:24Extremely robust
37:25You have crossed the red line
37:28And I am sorry
37:29No more
37:30This is it
37:31And we will take action
37:32Because
37:33Amashal Kapoor
37:34The impression is
37:35Yes, we were able to do
37:37A surgical strike
37:38Yes, we were able to do
37:39A balakot
37:40On info warfare
37:43The air force
37:44You know
37:45Wasn't able to convince
37:47Our air force
37:48Many argue
37:49Wasn't able to show
37:51That evidence of destroying
37:53The terrorist camps
37:54In balakot
37:55You know
37:56Pakistan was able to carry forward
37:58That narrative
37:59That only trees were destroyed
38:01Or crows were killed
38:02And next day
38:03You know
38:04We lost a hepta
38:05We lost
38:06You know
38:07Vinko Abhanandan's aircraft
38:09But
38:10I want to understand
38:11If we can hit them
38:12In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
38:13At least they know
38:14No part of Pakistan
38:15Is safe from
38:16Indian air force
38:17How is it that
38:18Apart from winning
38:19The situation on ground
38:21India is also able
38:22To remain on top
38:23Of that narrative battle
38:24See Gaurav, you are in media
38:27For I don't know
38:28How many decades now
38:29As a nation
38:30As a nation
38:31We do not have a body like ISPR
38:34We do not have a centralized
38:37Each party will have its own narrative
38:40The congress party has its IT cell
38:42The BJP has its own IT cell
38:44Each party
38:45Each media house has its own IT team
38:47But as a nation
38:49To convey to the world
38:51One voice
38:52We do not have till date
38:55A body which can give the combined narrative
38:59So that will answer your first question
39:01Though we did put up this thing
39:03But being in uniform
39:05There are a lot of restrictions in mind
39:07The Indian air force cannot do a press meet
39:10Of its own
39:11Wherein we start saying
39:12It has to go through certain protocols
39:14It has to go through certain
39:16Filtrations
39:17Because what is required
39:18What is not required
39:19To be completed
39:20And in what sense
39:21Because it may have a tactical ramification
39:23So as to say
39:25Now shooting down of the helicopter
39:27I was covering the other day also
39:28Yes
39:29These happens
39:30The Israelis have shot down their own aeroplanes
39:32The Americans have shot down their own aeroplanes
39:34So this is called a fog of war
39:36In that identification
39:37In that heat of the moment
39:39Though we all practice during peacetime
39:41All exercises practice
39:43But practice is different
39:45But when you have to press the button
39:47For actual launch of a missile
39:49Or a rocket
39:50Or a guided weapon
39:51The feeling is different
39:53You know that this is actual
39:55And this is live
39:56See in simulation
39:57We just press the button
39:58So the anxiety
40:00The human element
40:01Which it comes in
40:02When the thing is real
40:04Is different
40:05You know some people are
40:06Gang-ho
40:07Some people are
40:08Very energetic
40:09And they are handling it
40:10For the first time
40:11Okay
40:12It happens
40:13So that is called a fog of war
40:14One point
40:15Which I have been on
40:17Debates for last time
40:18I have a hunch feeling
40:19Yes
40:20That like
40:21Parvez Musharraf
40:22Did not keep
40:23Nawaz Sharif in picture
40:24About Kargil
40:25I have a very strong feeling
40:27Seeing the body language
40:29Of Shaba Sharif
40:31Yesterday's meeting
40:32That I think so
40:33For giving tacit sanction
40:36For this massacre
40:37Probably
40:38The civilian leadership
40:40Probably may not
40:41Have been kept in mind
40:42Okay
40:43And the reaction
40:44With which
40:45The Indian Prime Minister
40:46And I was part of
40:48The Defence Minister
40:49The day before
40:50Where personally
40:51He said
40:52In one of the functions
40:53I was there
40:54After this incident
40:55Not only
40:56The people
40:57But behind the scenes
40:58Of the law
40:59To be punished
41:00The honourable Prime Minister said
41:02So this message
41:03Has gone
41:04And I was
41:05Seeing some tweet
41:06Last night
41:072am 3am 4am
41:08Lot of private jets
41:09Have flown out of Pakistan
41:10To Europe
41:11And America
41:12Taking the families
41:13And people
41:14So these are all
41:15Indications that
41:16Somewhere
41:17They are scared
41:18They
41:19Back of their mind
41:20They understand
41:21The gravity
41:22They have done
41:23Probably they
41:24Overestimated
41:25This thing
41:26And on our part
41:27The lesson which I feel
41:28We have put our guards down
41:30See the area which
41:32Close
41:33Sir that point taken
41:34But on this part of the show
41:36I am focusing entirely
41:37On the military balance
41:40And the road ahead
41:42I completely appreciate your point
41:44Yes our guard was down
41:45And that's the only way
41:46The Pakistani terrorists
41:47Could kill us
41:48But what
41:49The road ahead
41:50Is where I need
41:51You know
41:52Your guidance
41:53The reactions in Pakistan
41:54Is in Pakistan
41:55General Sani
41:56Quick 30 seconds
41:57That I have on this part
41:58Is that also
41:59Your appreciation
42:00That Pakistan
42:01Is spooked
42:02Because Pakistan
42:03Is saying
42:04We are a nuclear weapons state
42:05We will hit back
42:06We will hit hard
42:07And they have
42:08Taken a series
42:09Of escalatory measures
42:10Including blocking
42:11Overflight
42:12And you know
42:13All the measures
42:14That India has taken
42:15They have responded in kind
42:16Of course except minus
42:17The Indus Water Treaty
42:18But then they say
42:19They will hold in abeyance
42:20The 72 Shimla agreement
42:22General Sani
42:23Yeah
42:24So let me just
42:25Quickly say
42:2630 seconds
42:27The point firstly
42:28That if you hit any
42:29Particular target
42:30It should be
42:31There should be visible
42:32Capability that can show
42:33That that impact
42:34Has happened
42:35Absolutely
42:36You have to take
42:37Refutable evidence
42:38To prove that it has happened
42:39Otherwise
42:40It can be whisked away
42:42In the narratives
42:43That war that will start
42:44And the second point
42:45What you are talking about
42:46Yes I think
42:47They are concerned
42:48I really wouldn't be
42:50Too worried about
42:51The political mass
42:52Apex leadership
42:53Was there in touch
42:54With Asif Munir
42:55When he took a particular
42:56Decision
42:57Or it was only perpetuated
42:58Otherwise
42:59Undoubtedly they are taking
43:00I would say
43:01Cautionary action
43:02They are
43:03They are convinced
43:04That this actually
43:06Has crossed the Rubicon
43:07As far as we are concerned
43:08And I think
43:09That preparatory action
43:10Is what is being
43:11Happening on ground
43:12And I think that in no way
43:13Should desist us
43:14From taking the action
43:15That we decide to take
43:16Being fully conscious
43:17Of the fact
43:18That any military option
43:19That you take
43:20In the kinetics
43:21In contact
43:22Non-contact
43:23Kind of methodology
43:24Of engagement
43:25Should be such
43:26That it will
43:27Show results
43:28It will have
43:29Irrefutable evidence
43:30Okay
43:31And it can not be
43:32Debated and
43:33Whist away
43:34Narratives
43:35The last
43:36Last 20 seconds
43:37That I have
43:38Admiral
43:39Admiral AK saying
43:40The Indus Water
43:41Treaty being held
43:42In abeyance
43:43By Government of India
43:44Pakistan says
43:45We will hold in abeyance
43:46The Shimla agreement
43:47Now does that make sense
43:48Or is that
43:49They are saying something
43:50Just for the sake
43:51Of saying something
43:52And that's counterproductive
43:53For them
43:54I am really not sure
43:55Whether
43:56It will have any impact
43:58In the next few weeks
43:59Quite frankly
44:00Whatever will happen
44:03The Prime Minister of India
44:04Has to take a decision
44:05And here
44:06Once he decides
44:07Whatever kinetic action
44:09Contact
44:10Non-contact etc
44:11In the Navy
44:12It is always non-contact
44:13Whatever happens
44:15Will happen
44:16I don't think
44:17These two things
44:18Will make any difference
44:19At all
44:20Frankly
44:21Okay
44:22We will be tracking
44:23That story
44:24Very very closely
44:25Gentlemen
44:26For joining me here
44:27On India Today
44:28As always
44:29Many many thanks
44:30After that deadly
44:31Pakistan State
44:32Sponsored Radical Islamist
44:33Terror attack in
44:34Pehelgaam
44:35India has pledged
44:36There will be a response
44:37Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warning
44:39Appears to have sent shockwaves
44:41Through Pakistan
44:42And it's triggered a series of
44:44Red alerts
44:45Frantic military activities
44:46Pakistan's ministers
44:47Admitting ties to terror
44:49Including on international forum
44:51And of course
44:52We are told
44:53There have been reports
44:54Of panic firing
44:55Across multiple posts
44:57Along the line of control
44:58So tension is escalating
45:00Pakistan is panicking
45:01The region
45:02Now on the edge
45:04Of a dangerous
45:05Flashpoint
45:06Triggered
45:07By Pakistani terror attack
45:09Our next report
45:10Gets you more
45:11About the panic
45:12In Pakistan
45:13India has vowed
45:22Strong retaliatory action
45:24In Pakistan
45:25After the Pehelgaam
45:26Terror attack
45:33Prime Minister
45:34Narendra Modi's pledge
45:35To punish supporters
45:36Of terror
45:37On Thursday
45:38Sent shockwaves
45:39Across Pakistan
45:40Its military is on red alert
45:43And is anticipating
45:45A retaliatory strike
45:46From India
45:47In panic
45:48Multiple incidents
45:49Of firing
45:50By Pakistan
45:51Have been reported
45:52Along the line of control
45:57Non-stop jet activity
45:58At the crucial
45:59Kamra air base
46:00Signals that
46:01Pakistan is
46:02Bracing for impact
46:06Amid all this
46:07Pakistan's defense minister
46:08Khwaja Asif
46:09Made a shocking admission
46:10Of Pakistan's role
46:11In terror activities
46:13We have been doing
46:15This dirty work
46:16For the United States
46:17For about three decades
46:18You know
46:19And west
46:20Including Britain
46:21Even as they admit
46:23Their role in global terror
46:25Pakistan's foreign minister
46:26Issued threats
46:27Against India
46:28In parliament
46:29Parliament
46:30Agar Pakistan
46:31Ki
46:32Taraf
46:33Kisi
46:34Kisim ki
46:35Adventurism
46:36Ka kisi ko
46:37Khaam khayli hai
46:38To wu bhol jai
46:39Pakistan ki
46:40Armed forces
46:41Puri tarah
46:42Tyyaar hai
46:44The Pahalgaam attack
46:45Was one of the deadliest
46:46In recent memory
46:47And is now pushing
46:48The region
46:49Closer to a breaking point
46:50When military manoeuvres underway
46:56And diplomatic ties fraying
46:57The threat of escalation
46:59Looms large
47:00With Shivani Sharma
47:01Bureau Report
47:02India Today
47:03To be continued
47:04To be continued
47:05To be continued