'India Left 26/11 Unanswered, But We Struck Back With Uri, Balakot': Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently critiqued the Congress-led UPA government's approach to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, highlighting a stark contrast in India's current stance on terrorism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Jaishankar underscored a shift towards a "zero tolerance" policy for terrorism, emphasizing the nation's capacity for retaliation as evidenced by the Uri and Balakot strikes. This marks a significant departure from past policies, showcasing a more assertive India on the global stage concerning defence and terrorism.

Addressing an audience at the NDTV Indian of the Year Awards 2024, Jaishankar detailed how the previous administration's indecision post-26/11 has been replaced by decisive action in recent years. He recalled the surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Uri attack and the airstrike on Balakot after the Pulwama incident as examples of India's robust response to terror threats under the Modi administration.

In his critique, Jaishankar disparaged the UPA government's handling of the 26/11 terror attacks, describing it as a period of "diffidence." He recounted an instance where the national security advisor at the time admitted to deliberating over their options before ultimately deciding against retaliation. This decision, as Jaishankar pointed out, was justified by the belief that the cost of attacking Pakistan outweighed the cost of inaction. This sentiment was echoed in his earlier comments at an event in Hyderabad in 2023, where he lambasted the UPA's rationale for not retaliating as a flawed assessment of the situation.

The Uri and Balakot strikes stand as testament to India's evolving defence posture. The surgical strike in PoK was a direct response to a deadly assault by the JeM terror group in Uri, which resulted in the loss of 19 Indian soldiers. This operation saw Indian Army Special Forces crossing the LoC under the cover of night to target terrorist launchpads, inflicting significant casualties among the terrorists. Similarly, the airstrike in Balakot was conducted in retaliation to a suicide bomb attack in Pulwama that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel. Utilizing Mirage fighter jets and precision-guided munitions, the Indian Air Force successfully targeted JeM hideouts, demonstrating India's capability and willingness to cross borders in its fight against terrorism.

The tragic events of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 166 individuals, including foreign nationals, and injured over 300, were a grim reminder of the threat posed by cross-border terrorism. Over four days, terrorists affiliated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba launched a series of coordinated attacks across Mumbai, targeting key locations and inflicting widespread damage. This incident drew international condemnation and exposed vulnerabilities in India's security framework, prompting a reevaluation of the country's counter-terrorism strategy.