01/12/2008

Pakistan Observer
http://pakobserver.net
December 01, 2008

By Dr Farooq Adil*

Israelis are reportedly in active engagement with India in providing high tech equipment and doctrinal counsel to its armed forces primarily aimed at suppressing the Kashmir Freedom Movement and fuelling insurgency in FATA and Balochistan. Hi-tech surveillance equipment includes Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation System (LORROS), Battle Field Surveillance Radars, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Electronic Warfare equipment for deployment along the Line of Control and Working Boundary and interior regions of Held Kashmir. India’s Special Forces are also being equipped with Israeli-made Tavor Assault Rifles.

Indo-Israel engagement dates back to many decades. In 1992 when Indo-Israeli ties were openly established, the two countries were having secret relationship. The disclosures of Israeli ambassador to India, Mark Sofer during his interview to India Outlook published on February 18, 2008 surprised Pakistan, China and the Middle East. Sofer while indicating two identical situations, disclosed: “We do have a defense relationship with India, which is no secret. On the other hand, what is secret is the defense relationship”.

And “with all due respect, the secret part will remain a secret.” Indian ties with Israel remained under wraps till 2003, when Ariel Sharon visited India to officially declare this relationship. The Tribune of India wrote on September 10, 2003, “India and Israel took giant leaps forward in bolstering the existing strategic ties and forging new ones” and Tel Aviv “agreed to share its expertise with India in such fields as anti-Fidayeen operations, surveillance and defense satellites, intelligence sharing, space exploration and fighting against terrorism”, particularly in the Occupied Kashmir. Next day, Indian Express, disclosed: “From anti-missile systems to hi-tech radars, from sky drones to night-vision equipment, Indo-Israeli defense cooperation has known no bounds in recent times”.

Recent defense purchases by New Delhi from Tel Aviv include fast attack naval craft, electronic warfare system, unmanned aerial vehicles,—modernization of Indian Army, MiG-27 aircraft, the Indian Navy’s Ka-25, Russian-supplied MiG-21 aircraft, T-72 tanks etc. Besides, Indian secret deal entails submarine launched cruise missiles, micro-satellite systems, laser guided systems etc. On September 5, 2003 Wall Street Journal pointed out: “The US finally gave its approval to Israel’s delivery of Phalcon Airborne Warning & Controlling Systems (AWACS) to India”—this “sale might affect the conventional weapons balance between India and Pakistan”. On February 28, 2003 Jerusalem Post disclosed the “Israeli sale of the Arrow-II anti-ballistic missile defense system to India”, writing that “the US was a collaborator in the project”. The Post further elaborated that “Israel could be acquiring an element of strategic depth by setting up logistical bases in the Indian Ocean for its navy”

In fact, links between India and Israel started in the early years of Prime Minister Indra Gandhi when she asked the chief of RAW, Rameshwar Nath Kao, to establish a clandestine liaison with Mossad to monitor military relationship with Pakistan, China and North Korea. During the Zia era, a RAW-Mossad joint plot was detected to attack Pakistan’s nuclear plant at Kahuta. Besides present open deals, secret defense collaboration has always existed between Tel Aviv and New Delhi. For example, on July 11, 2004 Indian Express disclosed, “Israel sent its laser guided missiles to India during the Kargil conflict in 1999”, and also cooperated when India was “planning to undertake a limited military strike against Pakistan in June 2002.”

The matter is not confined to purchasing military equipment, Indo-Israeli overt and covert nexus is part of a dangerous strategic game. Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu had already made it clear in July 1997 saying, “Our ties with India don’t have any limits”. The 9/11 tragedy provided both India and Israel with a golden opportunity to achieve their covert goals with the backing of US-led western countries. They immediately joined the US war on terror and have continuously been trying to convince the world that the Kashmiri and Palestinian freedom fighters including Hezbollah are terrorists.

In a recent development two teams of Israeli instructors are reportedly imparting training to selected Indian Army troops in the Held Kashmir in order to enhance their effectiveness against the Kashmir freedom struggle. According to reports a team of Israeli army officers is imparting training in Bagh Bela, district Kupwara. The Israeli instructors are stationed with 16 Bihar Regiment, while their senior instructor is staying with 28 Division headquarter at Kupwara.. According to reports the phase one training of 9 Parachute Battalion or K Force is in progress while in phase two the 16 Bihar would receive the training.

Another team consists of five foreigners including Israelis is busy imparting training to 15 selected Non Commissioned Indian officers each from all units (6 Infantry and 1 Border Security Force) at the 93 Infantry Brigade headquarters in Punch. The training started during the second week of September this year. The Israeli Army chief, Major-General Avi Mazrahi, visited Indian Held Kashmir in September this year and interacted with senior Indian army officers. He gave a lecture on counterterrorism, and was given a briefing on security situation. A team of Israeli experts also visited Indian Occupied Kashmir and surveyed sites for establishing new Electronic Warfare Detachments along LoC and Working Boundary. Another team visited IHK from September 20-25 and advised the Indian army on improvement of LoC fencing including construction of wall at selected locations.

With continuous and sustained support of Israelis, Indians are using brutal force against Kashmiri Muslims in order to achieve their objectives in the Indian Held Kashmir. As regards RAW, more than 25 Indian foreign offices, along with the north-western border of our country are supervising saboteurs to conduct bomb blasts in Pakistan. Despite the peace deal of the newly elected government with the Taliban, bomb blasts keep on going. This clearly shows that RAW, Mossad and American CIA are working in accordance with a plot to destabilize Pakistan to fulfill the sinister strategic designs of their countries.

The secret part of Indo-Israel defense ties as disclosed by Mark Sofer is bound to result into a global catastrophe in wake of the different war between the US-led sovereign entities and non-sovereign entities. In this regard, we should remember that secret treaties were the major cause of the WW-I. Indian historian V D Mahajan remarks that the major cause of the WW-I was the secret alliance among Austria-Hungary and Germany — then Italy joined the Ausro-German alliance, initiated by German leader Bismarck. On the other side France, Britain and Japan concluded counter alliance — ultimately all that resulted into militarization of Europe and the WW-I. If not checked in time, the secret collusion of Israel and India which is being patronized by Washington could lead the international community to a catastrophic WW-III.

* The author is defense analyst based in Peshawar.