SOUTH Asia experienced two crises with the advent of covert nuclear weapon capabilities and three more after India and Pakistan carried out underground tests of nuclear weapon designs.
The first nuclear-tinged crisis in South Asia, sparked by Operation Brasstacks in 1986-87, was initiated by decisions made in India. The four crises that followed can all be traced to decisions made in Pakistan: in 1990 over Kashmir; in 1999, when Northern Light Infantry troops occupied the heights across the Kashmir divide, sparking a limited war; in 2001-2002, during the ‘Twin Peaks’ crisis initiated by an attack by militants based in Pakistan on India’s parliament building; and in 2008, when Pakistani-based militants struck iconic targets in Mumbai. More >>>
