1. This will take us off topic, but the issue is important. Within in days of the Service HQs separating with Col Shafiullah as the Army Chief, a series of discussions were held on the future of national def and army's force make up.SM and the Army's senior officers attended. Officers from MoD and MoFin as well as BDR Chief Col Dutta also attended. For privacy/security the meetings,lasting over several days, were held at the Army HQ VIP Room next to the tennis court.
2. At the outset the identification of potential threat to our sovereignty, ideology,national values, socio-culture, politics and economy were thrashed out threadbare. By all counts India emerged as the only potential threat to us in every category.There was a consensus on this point although Dutta in the later discussions opposed establishing any mily. A Joint Secy of MoD was also of similar view. This ex-CSP officer later became the senior most bureaucrat under a BAL govt.
3. A Doctrine of Traditional People's Def was the only option open and SM asked this to be adopted. BA sought a force level of five Divs.The bureaucrats opposed this.No decision was taken partly because a limit of 25,000 strength had been imposed by India under some secret deal. However,SM did not openly oppose BA's demand. In line with this bold and vibrant diplomatic activity was prescribed. Therefore, SM went to OIC summit, Lahore in spite of Indira Gandhi's vehement opposition.
4.No sovereign nation should feel shy to openly declare/discuss its national security concerns and def doctrine. We had been burying our heads in the Cox's Bazar beaches thinking we are v clever and our adversary is stupid and gullible. That is why every politician is able to abuse opponents as Razakars or enemy of the state even after forty years of independence. Indians, Pakistanis, Burmese, Chinese, Russians - all nations adopt doctrines of def and refresh these from time to time taking the whole nation into confidence. Therefore, nobody can call others Razakars, etc. On this issue, and this issue alone, I firmly believe, our politics and politicians are divided resulting in a confused and demoralized nation.