Too many martyrs is not a good sign for the army

Praveen Swami, a journalist,  has written well in 'A deep malaise' ( Indian Express - 25 Feb16). However, he has restricted his comments mainly on the shortcomings of the police and para-military forces. I take up here the hallowed territory - Indian army itself. I start by saluting the bravery and commitment of the officers and soldiers and bowing deep to the martyrs. But it is clear to me that they could be better equipped and trained for these ops. We need victories, preferably without martyr.  A CO should almost NEVER have to lead such ops unless caught in an ambush, as happened with Col NJC Nair, AC in 1993 in Nagaland. But today I find too many CO level officers dying, leading ops that should be lead by JCOs. Am not impressed by the line 'our leaders lead from the front'. Leading a unit is not being the pointsman in an assault team. What are the compulsions which force COs to become pointsmen? The only compulsion that comes to mind is that the men will move ONLY if an officer is at the head, even if the subunit is a section (which should have just a havilder at its head).

Just too many well trained regular soldiers dying in own land, to winkle out poorly trained and equipped terrorists, holed up alone in enemy territory (can't compare the time and equipment cost of an Indian army soldier/officer to those of a terrorist).

Our men just do not have the best possible equipment that even today's India can afford to give them a fighting chance to come out alive in a fire-fight. Even our Special Forces do not seem to be having equipment to hear through walls, peep through corners and see through dark and dust. 

And please don't tell me that the guy who has the initiative always has the upper hand. I know that. I also know that when the terrorist strikes first, he has the initiative. But when he is holed up and expects assault on himself from any window, any door, or maybe even the roof, at any time, it is the security forces that the initiative. 

Definitely, the training and equipment of our soldiers, our doctrines and above all, the spine of some of our senior officers to stand up against pressure needs vast improvements. Military history tells me of a great General who once lamented, 'Don't use my men where you should use artillery'. Why aren't the generals of today speaking up? 

If you'll not risk even your career for your men, should they be risking their lives for you?

I end with saluting the bravery and commitment of our martyrs.