Media channels are ‘shocked’ that Ajmal Kasab’s letter is not ample proof for Pakistan. What do we expect? A ready acceptance? How naive can we get? It could be easily said that such a ‘confession’ was coerced out of Ajmal. We might as well give them photocopies of all the articles from Indian newspapers as a dossier. Despite all the noise about diplomatic pressure and so on, India has very little real options to prod Pakistan to take some action. The confession being passed off as evidence will not pass muster with both Pakistan and the international community.
Strangely, Interpol says that they were not given any information of the attacks, despite their team meeting our officials. What did they discuss then? Ronald Noble, Interpol’s Secretary General says “The information Interpol has about what happened in Mumbai is the same information that you have – it’s information that was read in journals, that was read on the internet or that was seen on TV.” WTF? What about stuff like DNA testing? or any other hard evidence? What was the purpose of having discussions with them if they were not provided hard facts? This surely be fodder for the Pakistani media who are already rubbishing the ‘confession’ (their quotes).
Talking of media, I happened to watch another ‘exclusive’ from Times NOW (groan). There were dramatic shots of what was purportedly the house in which Masood Azhar lives in Bahawalpur. The report said that the channel visited the city and showed some hazy pictures of a bearded gent being taken in a van, walking down the street etc. All with a big red circle around his face. It could have been anybody. There was nothing in the report that clearly identified Masood Azhar. Yet, there was typcial hysteria about the report. If this is investigative journalism, then my name is Senguttuvan.
Forget the doublespeak of Pakistani officials & ministers for a minute. What real options does India have? War is not an option. Surgical strikes – but where? In PoK? Karachi? Do we know? Even if we do, that will surely escalate into war. Compared to this the entire history of the 9/11 attackers – what they did in the US, for how long, their backgrounds – were all available. And no one disputed that because they were hard facts. According to Wikipedia, ‘the suspects were identified within 72 hours because few made any attempt to disguise their names on flight and credit card records and they were among the few non-U.S. citizens and nearly the only passengers with Arabic names on their flights, enabling the FBI to identify them and in many cases such details as dates of birth, known, and/or possible residences, visa status, and specific identification of the suspected pilots within hours’. Sure, we have a covert operation here. But to expect Pakistan to take a pleading letter from Kasab seriously is a bit too much.
What proof they want. Pakis have been harping on no proof being given. Even Americans seem to have joined them when Interpol said that no proof given.
Where as India has given substantial information on which Pakis can develop the investigation, they have done nothing except denying everything. What for they should be given proof? To destory the evidence. When India gives confession of Kasab, they deny it. When he gives the specific address of his house in Faridkot they cordon the area and block all movements-which fact has been confirmed by Nawaj Sharif also. Its different matter that under army pressure he had to withdraw his comments on the very next day.
Have they tried to find out where was Kasab during last 4 to 5 years. Have they even tried to get information from his parents on what dates he visited them and whether they new where was he. Have they tried to locate the where abouts of other 9 boys killed by Indian forces in Taj. When the Pakis have don’t nothing on the information which they already have, why should India give them proof.
They should understand that India is just exercising patience and giving Pakis enough time so that the world forece don’t blame India of not doing enough to avoid war. Once enough is enough, Pakis will have to pay.
There are several blogs avaialble, one from a Paki ambassador claiming about huge superiority of Pak forces and Pak missiles over Indian forces. They have forgotten the defeat in recent Kargil war, not too distant Banglaes war and 1965 war. So much for their superiour forces. They even don’t have money left to feed for more than two weeks. Its better to leave jingoistic chants and come to table. Take action against terrorists, hand over Dawood and live like a peaceful neighbour.