CHANDIGARH, India: India is facing the most sinister combination of internal and external threats. Pakistan after having fired a nuclear bomb wants to have another round to settle the score with India. It suits China to have a disintegrated India. Russia and America, the two super powers, too, are posing threat to India with the military buildup in the region.

The internal danger that India is facing is as grave as external threat. In Punjab death dance is being enacted daily. The Gorkhaland problem can become even more serious than Punjab. The tribal insurgency in the north east is still going on. The tension between Hindus and Muslims has been aroused on the Ram Janama BhumiBarbari Masjid issue. To make matters worse fear facing the administration in many parts of the country.

More killings are taking place in Bihar than Punjab. The government appears to have lost its moral authority to rule. The situation has been made aggravated an atmosphere of debasement of all values, rampant corruption at all levels and the sickening cultural fanaticism.

These views were expressed in a lecture on Threats to National Security in the English auditorium of Punjab University here yesterday by Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha (Retd.) former Deputy Chief of Indian Army. He remarked on presenting very grave picture that I may sound pessimistic but I am not unrealistic. The lecture was organized by the Academic and Research Institute as part of a series by the retired generals who have distinguished themselves as one of the best military historians in the country.

Gen. Sinha spoke at length on the concept of security and described it as the ability ofa nation to preserve and protect its chosen way of life.

That India is facing an immediate threat from Pakistan according to the General as it wants to have a fourth round to settle the score. Pakistan wants parity if not superiority over India. But Pakistan knows we have superior military capabilities and know-how and have a fleet of 2500 tanks comprising T72, and C65. Pakistan’s tank fleet is 1500 tanks consisting of T59 and Patton. We have of over 800 combat aircrafts against 400 in Pakistan Gen. Zia whom Gen. Sinha described as a more shewed General and State man wants time to build an offensive capability by acquiring the AWAGS System.

Article extracted from this publication >>  May 1, 1987