The Pakistan Army chief also continues with his rant over Kashmir, giving a clear hint of his pernicious designs. Where lies the sanctity of the ceasefire agreement when it is flouted in the most brazen manner? Why not abrogate this meaningless agreement?The second option would be to give a massive thrust to our covert actions and go on an intelligence overdrive to neutralise all sleeper cells of Pakistani terrorist groups in the country. All social media handles emanating from Pakistan should be blocked and Indian envoys should lay bare the details of the butchery at Baisaran in all capitals abroad. The unearthing of fresh evidence of Pakistan’s complicity by the NIA should once again be shared with all countries.Third, once the NIA investigation is over and world capitals have been fully briefed, kinetic action must be considered. This should not be driven by public sentiment alone—it must strategic, proportionate, precise and well-timed. The defence forces and intelligence agencies are well equipped with the information on the terror bases across the line. There is great scope for sharing intelligence with friendly countries like the US, Japan, Australia and others. Most nations are behind India in condemning terror, barring a few like China and Turkey. Joining the government in this hour is the entire opposition and Kashmiris. The prime minister’s intent is clear when he says that terrorism should be finished, once for all.How long can you live in the shadow of nuclear blackmail? Hesitation to act after Mumbai attacks and only using diplomatic channels is still a matter of public discourse. Apart from the nine terrorists killed on ground and one brought to trial, the handlers in Pakistan still breathe easy. Tahawwur Rana could be extradited 17 years later, at best, to confirm the information already available from Headley. Let Lashkar-e-Taiba not go unpunished this time for the savagery at Pahalgam, and nor should the ISI handlers.The carnage of Baisaran will remain etched in the memory of the nation forever. The lush meadows where grass-flowers grow wild will wait earnestly for visitors again. Drowned in anger and pain, the citizens await a befitting retaliatory action from the government. (Views are personal)Yashovardhan AzadFormer Central Information Commissioner and former Secretary (Security) and Special Director, Intelligence Bureau
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