A surgical strike operation by Indian forces begs the question of whether Indian forces have the capability to launch such a sophisticated and coordinated attack.
Surgical strikes can be conducted through airborne or artillery based precision guided strikes or ground force based assaults; both of which require sophisticated intelligence collection, platforms to conduct collections, and surveillance of target sites and objectives.
India is still on the cusp of building a sophisticated and modernized
asymmetrical capability to conduct counterterror operations, while much of its forces are still organized and trained on Cold War models.
Over the last decade, India has spearheaded efforts to modernize her military to include domestic production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Rostum I and Rostum II could provide India with an air platform capable of surgical strikes, long loiter times for target surveillance, and intelligence collection. However, these platforms are still in development and
Rostum II just began test trials this summer. India’s drone development program is still in its infancy.
As for artillery in 2015 India and BAE finalized contracts for the sale and development of new M777 155 mm howitzer system, capable of firing the new Excalibur GPS guided shell. However,
development and productionof the artillery system is not slated to begin until 2018.
India does currently field a Russian GPS guided munition called the Krasnopol, though its precision fire support is within a 30-40 km radius and its accuracy is far less when compared to the new Excalibur shell.
As far as precision strike missile capability, India has recently acquired the U.S. anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)
Hellfire, which has frequently been used for targeting operations by U.S. forces. India is currently producing a
domestic ATGM called the Helina, a helicopter launched precision strike missile, though this missile is still undergoing testing.
Furthermore, a cross border air raid by either heliborne assets or drones would still prove exceedingly difficult as Pakistan
boasts an incredibly impressive
air defense system. Pakistan controlled Kashmir is a high threat area for shoulder fired
surface to air missiles, some of which have found their way into the hands of militant groups. Any air operation over the territory would be under threat from these weapon systems.
now questions is ... how they did it ? where they did it, what targets achieved? which Mujhadeen leaders got killed? the proofs which they were suppose to show to media on 30th September they are not yet brought forward.... ?