MYANMAR RAID HOW MUCH TO REVEAL

AIR COMMODORE NASEEM AKHTAR, SHAURYA CHAKRA, VISHISHT SEWA MEDAL (RETIRED) Mob 09602444786 46th Course NDA As an Indian Citizen, and an Air Warrior at that, I sat and watched, albeit helplessly, on TV, the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks, Live, the events as they unfolded frame by frame, second by second, minute by minute, hour after hour. I also witnessed our bravehearts being slithered down, from IAF helicopters, onto rooftops of these buildings under attack, to neutralize the terrorists- the perpetrators behind the horrible tragedy. Was it in order to telecast these actions/ operations live? Yes! And, NO! Yes, if you happen to be the Government of the day, be it at the State or the National level - to cover up for the lapses by showing that something is indeed being done, oblivious of the consequences. And, NO if you have some common sense, which, mind you, is not very common, particularly when the chips are down. Our Nation was broadcasting the entire Operations LIVE for the benefit of the architects, the perpetrators, the masterminds in Pakistan to pass the exact picture to the terrorists. We gave it to them on a platter. The consequences - disastrous! Some of our bravehearts who went to neutralize the terrorists, were themselves neutralized. WHEN WILL WE LEARN? Debate after debate! Panel discussions! Burning issues! The Media went berserk! The anchors cried hoarse! And, so did the participants! Defence analysts and experts were all over the Electronic and Print media. Surf any channel, and you saw those hurly burly moustaches of renowned Army officers trying in vain to tell the Nation to be more aware, more cautious, and indeed more sensitive. Result? It's all forgotten. Indian memories, they say are extremely short-lived. WHEN WILL WE, AS A NATION, LEARN? Kasab, a martyr for Pakistan, a hardcore terrorist for us, was housed, clothed and fed three square meals by our Nation, for year after year. Crores were flushed down the drain. Remember the famous biryani? Yes, biryani et al! Only to kill him? He should have been torn to bits long back - the end ought to have been identical, if not worse than the horrendous and barbaric fate meted out to our bravehearts during Kargil and thereafter. Eyes gouged out, faces disfigured, organs missing, genitals chopped off. My attachment with these youngsters - well they were all from a Squadron (Oscar) that I raised in NDA, and. commanded a second Squadron (Golf, to which I belonged as a Cadet in 1971, 46th Course when General MS Raza, Maroof Raza's father was my Battalion Commander). As Founder Father and Squadron Commander of the Squadrons that produced such bravehearts, can I ask my countrymen a question? Do I have the right to ask the Nation a question? WHEN WILL WE LEARN? Kargil happened way back. Memories have faded. Then 26/11. All forgotten. But, for the parents, their near and dear ones, their colleagues, their coursemates, their comrades at arms - the wounds remain, fresh as ever, crying for justice. Politicians buy time singing lullabies " RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOUR WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED!" Excuse me, dhoti waley, don't try to teach Ecology to a starving man. Can anything be worse than this? WILL WE EVER LEARN? Ask the parents of these bravehearts who wait for justice, how they feel! How their world came tumbling down! As a Nation we need to reassure them that their sons may have died, but the sun has not set. And, that their sacrifice shall live on forever. WHEN WILL WE AS A NATION LEARN? We Indians excel in living on past glories, irrespective of our own contributions. But, a Nation that does not learn from it's past, from it's History, is bound to repeat it. Now, having written so much, I bring you to the meat of the matter - the Myanmar Surgical Strikes. Some things are best told by keeping quiet. There is a famous saying " Bund mutthi lakh ki, khul gayi to khaak ki" ! We ought to keep this in mind whenever it comes to SPECIAL OPERATIONS. We relayed LIVE on TV the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks jeopardizing the lives of our OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE SPECIAL FORCES. It is amply clear that WE STILL HAVEN'T LEARNT! As it stands today, our Special Forces, have more than aptly, avenged the attack on our Army convoy in Manipur, by neutralizing the ultras deep inside Myanmar territory. The media, electronic, print and social, politicians from across party lines - all and sundry, are discussing, debating, deliberating threadbare, flashing pictures of our Special Forces Team involved in the Operations. This, in Nation's interest, is uncalled for, and is a disaster waiting to happen! And, may I take the liberty of saying that flashing photographs, videos etc of the Special Forces Team, revealing their identity, their Units, Regiments, nativity etc could jeopardize the lives of these personnel and their families. Details of such Operations, the intricacies, the participants etc are best kept under wraps, unless the chest thumping is to cover up some failures. We, in the Armed Forces are used to dying as UNSUNG HEROES! I would love to die "FOR" my country and my countrymen, but definitely not "BECAUSE" of my countrymen! WE APPEAL TO OUR LEARNED COUNTRYMEN TO BETTER LEARN THIS. Recognition can best be done by the President of India pinning the Chakra Series Award Medals in the glittering Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan, with the who's who of India in attendance, with the citation being clear, crisp and concise. Can I appeal to the Nation, the Media and the Government to kindly step in and stop/ban further telecast, debates, discussions etc on such issues that would be detrimental to our National interests and jeopardize the safety of our Special Forces and their families. Do you agree that IT'S HIGH TIME WE LEARNT? I HAVE ASKED THE NATION A QUESTION. I WAIT FOR AN ANSWER. If you agree, then do pass it on. My Salutations to you! For the others, may I say, please treat this as: " A tale told by an idiot, Full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing! " ....Shakespeare