Flying High

We apologize to the readers for the delay in bringing out this issue. The editors voted to delay the issue so that the a greater understanding of the events in Iraq and their implications could be gained. This issue also features BR's coverage of the much-awaited Aero India 2003 event. As expected this event has generated considerable interest in India's aviation needs. Large numbers of people, including enthusiasts and several leading business groups turned up for what proved to be a celebration of Indian aviation. The event also showcased the achievement of the indigenous aviation community. Among the indigenous aerospace products that were displayed are the Light Combat Aircraft, the Advanced Light Helicopter, the Light Combat Helicopter, the Saras Light Transport Aircraft and Lancer from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. DRDO presented the Battlefield Surveillance radar (BSR), the Weapons Locating Radar (WLR) and the 3-D Acquisition Radar. Other DRDO products like the Prithvi, BrahMos, Shilka Upgrade and the UAV lines were also on display. The stunning flying display by the Indian pilot flying the Su-30MKI, by IAF pilots in other platforms like the Mirage 2000, the Mig-21, the Jaguar, various helicopters, and by the IAF's acrobatic team - the Surya Kiran (Sunrays) showcased their skill. Soon after the heady days of Aero India, most aviation enthusiasts in India were very pleased to see the first flight of the Intermediate Jet Trainer aircraft in a dashing blue color in early March 2003. Bharat Rakshak congratulates all the teams involved in these efforts in India. It is through the hard work of such people that the flag of Indian Aviation is clearly flying high.

On the international stage the sudden onset of war in Iraq has dominated discussions on security. There are conflicting reports about the success of the US led initiative to remove Saddam from power with precision strikes aimed at decapitating the regime. The overall countenance of the operation is one of a campaign that started too early. This sudden outbreak of hostilities actually stumped some of the editors, while the general intention on part of the US Government to invade Iraq if it security objectives were not met was well known, the outbreak of hostilities was held to at least two more weeks away. Even as this editorial is being penned, the number of conflicting reports about the progress of Operation Iraqi Freedom is growing. This is not unusual in the fog of war. Whatever the administration's plans regarding the eventual capture of Baghdad and the capitulation of the Saddam Regime, a well consolidated enclave in Southern Iraq is a must.

One of the direct effects of Operation Iraqi Freedom has been to scare the Pakistani government. This fear has manifested in the form of a number of contradictory statements by the Pakistani Army, the Jamali Government and elements of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (the Islamist alliance). The Pakistanis seem to be making an attempt to avoid being designated as the 'next target after Iraq'. The emergence of reports about Pakistani nuclear weapons for missiles deals with North Korea is bound to amplify concerns over the safety of Pakistan's arsenal. An equally interesting development recently has been the sudden arrest of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), a top Al Qaida operative and alleged mastermind of 9-11 in the Westridge suburb of Rawalpindi. Westridge houses the so-called 'coup brigade' (111 Brigade) of the Pakistan Army. This suburb also houses the Pakistani Army General Headquarters and the office of the Corps Commander X Corps. The support of the Corps Commander X Corps and that of the 111 Brigade is regarded as crucial for any wannabe Pakistani military dictator. The announcement of KSM's arrest itself has become cause for intense controversy, as there are a number of reports that deny that the arrest ever took place. The Western Media while going to great lengths to describe KSM's past and his association with the Al Qaida has failed to address doubts about his arrest. Another odd fact that has turned up is the apparent link between KSM and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). The JeI is a part of the Islamist alliance and is regarded as a serious contender for power in Pakistan. The media's association of the JeI name with Al Qaida has led to an public spitting match. Several reports emerging from sources close to the Pakistani Army top leadership link JeI with Al Qaida, and the JeI leadership has responded with directly naming the former directors of the ISI as being the 'real' leaders of the Al Qaida. The JeI has also taken the lead in the mass agitation against the Legal Framework Order (LFO) which is legal core of General Musharraf's power. The mass agitation with its emphasis on 'Million Man' marches is setting the stage for a massive popular revolt against the Musharraf regime.

Further evidence of Pakistani Islamist anger came earlier this month in India, in the form of the massacre of 25 Kashmiri Pandits at the Nadimarg village in Jammu & Kashmir. Indian security analysts see this as a part of a chain of violence that killed the Hizb-ul-Mujaheddin commander Abdul Majid Dar. Dar had defected to the Indian side sometime in 2000 during the Hizb Ceasefire. The violence in Nadimarg put considerable political pressure on the government of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed in Srinagar. The attack on Dar also scared leaders of the All Party Hurriyat Conference that were about to start negotiations with Government Of India's special representative Sri. N.N. Vohra. There is also some discussion in New Delhi on how to respond to situations like the one in Nadimarg. Whereas Parakram established India's escalation dominance over Pakistan, the task of figuring out how best to use it to stop Pakistani sponsored terrorism in India is an involved one.

In conclusion, the US led war in Iraq has set in motion a number of developments in the Middle East, West Asia and Pakistan. Regardless of the precise conduct of the War itself, the widespread anger in the Islamic world for what is being perceived as a 'War Against Islam' is bound to have reprecussions for India. The need to stay alert is paramount.