Poonch soldier beheadings: Retaliation is the only way forward

Attack on Indian Army patrol team was a 'planned operation.' Pakistan special forces was involved in the ambush. The attack came just a day after Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the LoC.

The fact that it came just a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his two-day visit to the country proves it to be an effort to derail any chances of peace between India and Pakistan. Erdogan calls Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif a "well-meaning friend" who is willing to bring peace at any cost. Sadly, the Monday killings of Indian soldiers at the Poonch sector proves that the Pakistani army has a mind of its own.  

Reports have now established that the attack on Indian Army patrol team was a "planned operation" by Pakistani special forces who had set up an ambush more than 250 metres deep inside the Indian territory.

What is more important is the fact that the attack came 24 hours after Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the LoC on Sunday. This can't be a mere coincidence, the chances that country's top brass cleared this operation cannot be ruled out.

The attack on the soldiers was not just merely aimed at hurting the morale of the Indian army, but the Pakistani army knows that mutilating the bodies will hurt the religious sentiments of Indian Hindus. 

Now the question is, can India sit quietly? PM Modi has been apprised of the situation and the ground reality by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley. Retaliation is the only answer, and New Delhi must show it to Pakistan that if push comes to shove, India will no more back down.

It is time that the Indian Army be given a free hand to respond to this "barbaric" blood spilling in the Krishna Ghati sector. We have done it before, and we can do it again. And this time, the mission should be to destroy all Pakistani posts. While India has always adhered to the rule of law, Pakistan must be taught the lesson the hard way.