Ex-Army Chief Urges Targeted Action Against Pakistan Leadership
In a powerful statement following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane has called for India to shift its focus directly onto Pakistan’s core leadership. According to him, lasting peace can only be achieved if actions are taken to dismantle the power centers that sponsor and sustain cross-border terrorism. Naravane asserted that India must aim at compelling Pakistan to “credibly and irrevocably abjure its support to cross-border terrorism.”
He stressed that previous responses like the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, while impactful, have not established a durable deterrent. Hence, the need now is to concentrate on hitting the “core issue and the centre of gravity” within Pakistan’s power structure, to force a genuine policy shift.
MM Naravane
General Naravane cautioned against emotional and hasty reactions, advocating instead for a well-planned, multifaceted strategy that combines military, legal, and diplomatic tools. He recommended measures like imposing international sanctions and issuing arrest warrants against key officials, remarking, “The issuance of international arrest warrants against known officials will have a salutary effect,” citing examples from other nations where such steps created substantial international pressure.
He also suggested going after the families of individuals aiding terrorism by deporting their kin studying abroad, thereby increasing personal stakes for those embedded in the terror infrastructure. Every action, Naravane emphasized, should be “carefully planned, with clear objectives and a high assurance of success.”
Cross-Border Terrorism
Highlighting the persistent threat from across the border, Naravane made it clear that merely responding to terror attacks is no longer sufficient. Symbolic moves must give way to a deeper, strategic targeting of the support structures that keep terrorism alive. His call to “hit the power behind the throne” underscores a need for systemic action rather than tactical reactions.
As India looks ahead in dealing with Pakistan’s persistent provocations, Naravane’s proposals present a roadmap toward crippling the backbone of cross-border terrorism, securing national interests, and ensuring regional stability.
