"Passivity does not a nation protect".

One must stop and think about some of the points Varsha Bhosale makes in her article.  What does a "security alert" or "red alert" really mean ?  How well would the constable on the street identify and stop a terrorist before the fidayeen pulls out an automatic weapon.  The terrorist has nothing to lose and everything to gain.  He knows he will be killed in a shootout.  He will, however, have achieved his aim in spreading terror. 

Bal Thackeray has threatened to quit the NDA, "We will quit the government rather than sit and watch our country being insulted".  He must follow up on it and insult [or should I say "sting"] the Government into action. 

Apparently, Vajpayee is surprised that the "US pressure on Pakistan" {what pressure ?} is not working.  As the Americans would say "Like, duh ?"

Okay... okay... here's the question.  Am I really advocating War with Pakistan ?  I don't know know.  Immediate military action in December would have made sense.  Now, there's little advantage.  However,  I *do* want action.  What would be the repercussions of a formal declaration of war ? Well, we can't really "declare war" because, formally, Pakistan hasn't taken military action.  India could try the US's strategy vis-a-vis Iraq.  But India wouldn't get any noticeable support at the U.N.  Is that why Vajpayee and Co. are looking towards the US ?  But can't India invoke the logic of "pre-emptive action" ?  Strikes against terrorist training camps ?  Ah ! but are we sure that we know where these camps are ? That we will be able to take them out ?  That they will not re-appear elsewhere ?  But maybe we could achieve damage similar to that the US achieved against the Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.  Hmm.. consider this .. the Taleban really couldn't stand up to the US action.  But Pakistan would certainly respond to any strikes.  And Pakistan might say that since India initiated military action, it has every right to declare war [and, then, the possibility of a mushroom cloud].  So we are going round in circles and can only sit and wring our hands moaning about the lack of Pakistani action in response to US pressure while our people are killed and terrorised ?

So what action can be taken ?  Don't rely on the US alone.  Convince another half-a-dozen countries.  Get a UN resolution declaring Pakistan a terrorist state.