pirates to mess with IN

[harpoon]

As there is little infrastructure in Somalia and it is not the central GOVT that is sanctioning these attacks then it would be very hard to actually find valid targets for the IAF to hit -not that they don't have the ability, a flight of say, 6 SU-MKI, 2 IL-78MKI or Jaguars instead (don't need to be escorted as Somalians have no way of harming the a/c) as they have been deployed abroad before-Oman- would do the job nicely. Like I said there is little to be gained from this, however I think sending in small teams ( I don't know if this falls to R&AW or spec ops) to locate pirates/taken hostages is a great idea. As the Somalian GOVT has very little control this isn't even a provocative action against the country and would be a good move as I think I've heard estimates of 100+ Indian being held- this is not acceptable. But once again this comes down to political will and so I don't see it happening. Is it really going to take a change of GOVT or another massacre (76 CRPF massacre by Maoists) for the GoI to DO SOMETHING?!!??

If not handed carefully such an operation will be a PR disaster for India. This can be easily seen as another Islamic country being attacked by infidels. Then the NGOs, Human Rights Organizations and Jihadists will go on overdrive to defame India in the public stage. I can see news reports of mothers weeping over the bodies of sons who was nothing but a good 'Muslim' an an 'ordinary fisherman'. Media will have a field day over this.

Already there are some organizations who claim that the Somalis resorted to piracy as their livelihood was threatened by foreign fishing trawlers. It is as if they will return to normal life as they have found an easier way to make money than fishing.

Just because a country does not have a government doesn't absolve their citizens of crimes that they do. India should take initiative to form an international coalition to conduct military operations in Somalia so that everyone shoulders the responsibility equally.

 

[hembo]

India deploys naval warship near Somali coast
Published: Monday, Apr 18, 2011, 21:37 IST
Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI