Akhtar Jamal

Islamabad—Indian and Israeli military officials have discussed a new secret plan to jointly counter “threats” from Pakistan and ‘Islamic’ militants in Afghanistan.

Reliable reports reaching here say that during a two-day meeting early this week held in New Delhi Indian Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and the Director-General of Israeli Defence Ministry Retired Brigadier-General Pinchas Buchris formulated a joint offensive strategy in this region.

According to reports Indian and Israeli defence officials and senior military strategic planners met in New Delhi on December 22 and discussed a detailed approach to a joint plan to counter-terrorism and share intelligence on Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Gulf region. Other secret meetings and engagements were not revealed to the media.

The reports reaching here also say that Israeli officials agreed to train and equip Indian Special Operation Forces (SOF) to counter terrorism threats in India and Afghanistan.

Military observers say that Israeli weapons such as Tavor assault rifle and other warmachines are being provided to Indian Special Forces. In addition to that Joint simulation exercises and training of complete units could also be initiated.

Military experts from both the sides also reviewed a proposal to jointly develop a surface to surface missile similar to the Indo-Israeli agreement in February. Approximately US$2.2 billion have been allocated for the development of the new long-range surface-to-air missile with Israeli technology.

During the meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence the two sides agreed to move ahead on three other agreements including expansion of sharing of satellite intelligence on the region.

It is important to note that Israeli Defence Forces Chief Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi made an official visit to New Delhi early in December and had a detailed meeting with his Indian counterpart, Gen. Deepak Kapoor.

Last year an IDF delegation headed by Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky visited the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir apparently “to study and advise” the Indians on suppressive measures against the struggling Kashmiri people.

Posted for Gilad

Article from Friday, December 25, 2009, Muharram 07, 1431

http://pakobserver.net/200912/25/news/topstories07.asp