ET Defence Bulletin: Stories you should not miss (October 9, 2016)

Below is a list of the top defence stories of today. An important issue in regard to the Indo-Pak relations raised by the Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, is asserting that the military plays an important role in Pak's policy towards India.

Other stories in this realm indicate Pakistan's willingness to engage in a dialogue with India on all burning issues and ruling out war as an option following the Indian Army's cross-LoC surgical strikes. On the other hand, as per a story in this list, there is a growing belief in the Centre that the worst is yet to come.


1) Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit asserts that Pak PM Nawaz Sharif is in the “driving seat“ but the army plays an important role in Islamabad's India policy.He also says to think along the lines of a nuclear attack is “suicidal”.

2) An assessment of Indian Army radio intercepts reveal that the Pak based terror group, Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), suffered the maximum damage in the cross LoC surgical strikes.

3) US have reminded a Pakistani parliamentary delegation, which completed its five day visit to Washington on Saturday, of the need to end cross-border attacks if Pakistan wants its stance on Kashmir to be heard.

4) Asserting that war is not an option for India and Pakistan, a top Pakistani diplomat has said Islamabad believes there is a need to resolve all bilateral disputes, including the Kashmir issue, through dialogue.

5) Following the cross LoC surgical strikes, Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif today visited Pakistani frontline troops along the LoC in Haji Pir sector to review their operational preparedness.

6) At the top levels of the Indian government there is a growing belief Pakistan could retaliate against last week's surgical strikes with a big terror attack in India in the coming weeks.