Armchair
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Its not all black and white. The issue lies in indecisive leadership and also the pressures of our allies/friends/powers.
In 65 our plan would have mauled the IAF if not for leadership change at the last minute and the usual self serving suckups foiling our plans. The the IAF behaved the same way it did on the 27th.
In 71 the IAF came back well trained and will a plan, yet we stuck to ours and survived an onslaught.
However, the enemy was able to take the narrative of us attacking their airfield as the trigger to war and they could have repeated it this time as well.
The problem is that when the National leadership has decided that we shall not provoke an all out war and are only engaging in “aggressive diplomacy” then the engagement has to be controlled and strict RoEs adhered to.
Yes, the PAF could have brought down many more IAF aircraft that way by crossing into India deeper but the idea was to not take unnecessary risks both tactically and diplomatically.
The mistake made later had nothing to do with the PAF but with the usual failure of our foriegn office and associated fat flabby corrupt bureaucrats who were unable to wrestle a narrative properly everywhere.
The mistake is our media incapable of pushing a brainwashed narrative like theirs does.
But the crucial mistake was made years earlier when Pakistan was made.. and we never got rid of the ethnic lines or self serving sycophants who took power and looted our coffers throughout.
There are still personnel within the PAF who may have let their American handlers know of any plans.. who may warn the Indians.. there are those who would roll away and bug out at the first sign of a BARS radar showing up on their RWR.. and there are those that made millions by fleecing the PAF for spare purchases or useless equipment.
As long as they and the many remain in our society, India had, has and will continue to defeat us in wars no matter how many small battles we win.
Thank you, a sobering reply. Here are some quick thoughts:
1. DGISPR should have released more damning details, the failure to do so was not the fault of our media (which can never compare in the first place to India's), but the fault of the military establishment
2. To get rid of the enemy within, clear policies need to be instituted. Like all military personnel beyond a certain rank cannot send their kids or themselves abroad as long as they live. Like creating a list of the people who are serving other masters. If you draft a plan, I can try my best to get it to Imran Khan.
3. If this was 65, 71 is awaiting us sooner or later. We have to take concrete steps to be ready for that challenge and learn from history.
Thanks again for a thought provoking reply.