The Pahalgam attack has raised questions about India’s approach to Kashmir, with Major General (Retd) Ashok K. Mehta calling for talks with Pakistan to address the ongoing conflict
NEW DELHI — Amid a heightened standoff between the traditional South Asian rivals, a former major general in the Indian army has warned against isolating Pakistan diplomatically. He said it could be counterproductive, given Islamabad’s nuclear capabilities and comparable military strength, compounded by its alliances with China and potentially Bangladesh.
“We have to keep talking to Pakistan,” Major General (Retd) Ashok K. Mehta said, warning against unilateral actions like the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The abrogation of the special status, India claims, has resolved the Kashmir issue, but the move remains unrecognised by Pakistan and listed as a bilateral dispute by the United Nations.
Mehta is a founding member of India’s Defence Planning Staff.
In an interview with HW News Network, Mehta described the recent Pahalgam attack as a “tragic moment” and pointed to an intelligence lapse, given its unexpected nature. “This conflict has never ended since 1947,” Mehta said, emphasising the persistent unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.
The retired top-ranking army man criticised the government’s narrative of normalcy in the volatile region, often backed by rising tourist numbers and economic growth, as misleading. “There are terrorist organisations dedicated to Jammu and Kashmir, supported by Pakistan, and this will not cease through surgical strikes or isolated acts of terrorism,” he said.
Mehta stressed that the government’s failure to anticipate such a large-scale attack reflects an overreliance on the narrative of a terrorism-free Kashmir post-Article 370. He also highlighted the lack of accountability, noting that no investigations have been conducted into major security lapses, including the 2020 Ladakh standoff with China or the Pulwama attack.
Mehta emphasised that military solutions alone are insufficient and that dialogue with Pakistan is essential to address the root causes of the conflict. “The buck doesn’t stop anywhere,” he said, predicting that smaller attacks will continue unless a diplomatic resolution is pursued.
The former army official cautioned against a military response like the 2019 Balakot strike, citing heightened risks of escalation due to changed geopolitical dynamics and Pakistan’s improved military capabilities, including its acquisition of the Chinese JF-20 aircraft.
The Pahalgam attack has concerns over communal narratives, with some right-wing groups framing it as an assault on Hindus, despite Muslims also being among the victims. Mehta condemned this angle, warning that such rhetoric damages India’s social fabric and military cohesion, given the country’s significant Muslim population.
