America's General
Pakistan takes its most crucial decision since the 1971 war — to side with the US against the Taliban. The clerics may protest, but Musharraf has few options.

ECONOMIC IMPACT
Where Are We Going?
Fear and uncertainty stalk the Indian economy as early damages begin to show.

Ready For Battle
Where will the US strike, with what and how? A report on the military options before the global coalition that the Americans are building against terrorism.

Shifting Stance
Indian foreign policy is in a flux following the terrorist strikes in the US, metamorphosing in tandem with the tectonic shift in the geopolitical landscape of the world.

Menace In The Mind
People like bin Laden are not so much politicising religion as religionising politics.

COVER STORY: INDIAN RESPONSE

Indian Forces On Alert

With the Vajpayee Government offering support to the US action, the Indian military establishment is prepared for all contingencies. India's sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat's scheduled visit to the Persian Gulf this month was cancelled and the Western Naval Fleet is on alert. The Indian Air Force (IAF) too has activated its air defence networks and Air Chief Marshal A.Y. Tipnis postponed his September 19 trip to Oman and UAE.

	BACKLASH: Indians identified with the sense of outrage in America

There has also been some exchange of military information, with Blackwill calling on the three service chiefs. And though the US hasn't approached India for logistical support-"We have neither offered nor received any request from the US for using our air bases," says Singh-it is believed Washington may turn to Delhi if the pro-jehadi unrest in Pakistan takes an ugly turn.

According to the Indian military establishment, the US action will range from small-scale raids using special forces to precision air strikes and cruise missile barrages on identified targets. The US has learnt its lesson from the August 1998 attack when a majority of the 71 cruise missiles directed at Afghanistan missed their targets by miles. According to military experts, the US may position its carrier-based forces off the Makran coast and launch aircraft to deliver laser-guided bombs in Kandahar, Jalalabad, Khost and Kabul. This may be followed by ground action with the support of attack helicopters. But, says Lt-General Satish Nambiar, director, United Services Institution: "There is no question of the US assembling large troops in Pakistan for this operation." The risks are too great.

Another option involves the use of Pakistani air space by the US only for flight refuellers and Airborne Warning and Control Systems, while conducting operations from Indian airfields. Despite no commonality between Indian and the US air force equipment, the fuel bowser of a mig-29 fighter can be used in a Mirage-2000 or F-16 fighter. For a turnaround strike, all an aircraft needs is fuel, liquid nitrogen for missiles, liquid oxygen for the cockpit, compressed gas and lubricants. But even with air bases in India, the US has to station ground troops along the 1,500-km Durand Line to salvage any ground operation that goes awry.

While the US has not discussed its military strategy even with its closest allies such as the UK, military planners here do not rule out Stealth bomber strikes from the US base in Turkey through the Turkmenistan air space. The other option is to operate B-2 long-range bombers from Guam and refuel them in India on their way back. These strikes will have to be backed by hard intelligence, economic and diplomatic actions aimed at disrupting the terrorist networks and the support systems.

There is general consensus in Indian diplomatic circles that the US will not stop at just securing bin Laden. The Taliban regime is certain to be crippled and in the process, Pakistan's dream of emerging as a radical "Islamic fort" in Asia may have to be shelved. For India, these would be heartening developments.

Constant suspicion, poverty, ill-health and lack of work dog Afghan asylum seekers in India. INDIA TODAY's Principal Correspondent Anna M.M. Vetticad meets some of them.
Living On The Edge