Answer:

Introduction:

‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are military strategies often employed in the face of cross-border terrorist threats. While ‘Hot Pursuit’ involves chasing a retreating enemy into its territory, ‘Surgical Strikes’ are precise, targeted operations intended to inflict damage with minimal collateral damage and escalation.

Body:

Strategic Impact of Hot Pursuit and Surgical Strikes:

• Deterrence:
  • These actions send a strong message to adversarial entities and state sponsors of terrorism, deterring them from engaging in hostile activities.
  • For instance, India’s surgical strike post the Uri attack in 2016 signaled its intolerance towards cross-border terrorism.
• Disruption of Terror Infrastructure:
  • Such actions aim at damaging the terrorist infrastructure, thereby impeding their operational capabilities.
• Boost Morale:
  • Demonstrating the ability to retaliate boosts the morale of security forces and bolsters domestic support.
• International Diplomacy:
  • These actions can compel international attention towards the issue of terrorism, facilitating diplomatic pressure on countries harbouring terrorists.
  • However, it might also escalate tension and potentially trigger an international dispute.

Conclusion:

While ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ can be effective military responses to terrorist threats, they must be part of a larger, comprehensive strategy. Balancing these actions with diplomatic initiatives and internal security measures is essential for long-term peace and stability.