Is Indo-Myanmar operation a message to Pakistan?

New Delhi: Even as voices emerged that the Indian Army operation against terrorists on the Myanmar side of the border contained a hidden message to Pakistan, experts said on Wednesday the scenario may not be the same on the Western border even though India has the capability to retaliate if provoked.

Asked if a similar approach could be replicated on India's Western border, an official said the situation on both sides was different.

"Defence and security strategy is something that evolves after one thinks through all the consequences of action or inaction; hence any premature celebration over the Myanmar swatting of terror groups would not only be wrong, but foolish," an official close to the security establishment said on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

"We need to be clear that dealing with terrorists in Myanmar is different from dealing with the likes of the Lashkar-e-Taiba which has the active backing of the Pakistani army and the ISI," the official added.

"What worked in Myanmar will not work on our western borders against jihadi groups. For that, we need covert guerrilla action, not direct attacks," the official added.

Former Army Chief Gen. V.P. Malik (retd) said India had the capability, but such operation on the western border along with Pakistan may result in a small-scale war.

"We do have the capability (to launch similar attack along India-Pakistan border) but it does not mean we will react in that manner. It can escalate to a limited war, we have to be prepared for all those things in term of public opinion and international opinion," Gen. Malik said.

Asked if both India and Pakistan being nuclear armed is a deterrent, Gen. Malik said: "A nuclear attack is unlikely as it will go against the whole world".

Former Army Chief Gen. N.C. Vij, in an interview to India Today Television said: "We have the capability, and such operations on the Western front may be carried out if government is ready for the consequences." (IANS)