Kargil conflict may not end soon
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, June 11 — Will the current Kargil armed conflict between India and Pakistan last longer than the two wars fought by the two sides in 1965 and in 1971?

Judged by the steady but slow march of the Indian troops in reclaiming the posts occupied by Pak infiltrators the Kargil conflict, which is now 33 days old, may become a prolonged affair in case Islamabad does not listen to the suggestions made by the USA, France and Russia that it should withdraw its infiltrators from the Kargil-Dras belt and respect the Line of Control.

Eyewitness accounts supported by the state government reports reveal that Pak troops and infiltrators have opened more fronts with the result several strategic areas in the Kargil, Dras, Batalik and Mushkov valley are still under the occupation of the intruders. The needle shaped mountain ranges, heights ranging between 12,000 feet and 17,000 feet, occasional weather-related problems and stinger missiles in the hands of the infiltrators are said to have limited the successes of the IAF.

The two main towns of Kargil and Dras continue to wear a deserted look since May 9 when, as a result of heavy Pak shelling, over 20,000 residents had to flee to safer places. And the last 33 days several hundred families had to trek between 50 km and 100 km to reach safer places. Most of these refugees live in camps and others have been accommodated by their relations and friends but continue to suffer on account of food shortage.

The Pak troops and infiltrators might have opened another front in the Nubra valley had not the police arrested 10 youths and seized large quantities of arms and ammunition, including 18 assault rifles.

The state government seems to be worried over the turn of events in the Kargil-Dras belt on two counts. First, the top functionaries of the state government have lurking fears that in case the infiltrators were not thrown out of the Kargil heights, peace in the Ladakh region would be destabilised for years to come. They fear that with vantage positions in the hands of Pak troops and infiltrators the Srinagar-Leh national highway would remain unsafe for passenger traffic as it would be within the firing range of even small arms. In addition, about 80 sq. km of Indian area in Kargil under the occupation of Pak infiltrators and soldiers would mean that Pak-trained militants would have an easy access to the Kashmir valley and parts of Doda district from Sonamarg mountain belts.

Second, the state government's worry stems from the fact that it requires several crores of rupees to feed over 20,000 displaced persons from the Kargil-Dras belt. It is already faced with acute cash crunch and the centre has so far not released additional funds for enabling the state administration to provide minimum possible assistance to the refugees. It has not even bothered to persuade the FCI to extend the credit facility to the state to allow it to lift large quantities of foodgrains which could be sent to the Ladakh region before the highway gets closed due to snow in October.

Politically and militarily delay in peace in Kargil is likely to suit Pakistan. The longer the Pak infiltrators hold to their positions it would allow Islamabad a scope for bargaining with India on Kashmir.

A such political and not military miracle can ensure early peace in Kargil.

PM rules out Fernandes' removal

LUCKNOW, June 11 (PTI) — Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today ruled out removal of Defence Minister George Fernandes from his post as demanded by the Opposition for his alleged failure in handling the Kargil crisis properly.

"There is no question of removing the Defence Minister" as he is doing his job with "great responsibility and sincerity," Mr Vajpayee told reporters here.

Mr Fernandes’ statements have been twisted by media, he alleged, and said there was nothing wrong in the functioning of the Defence Minister.

He also ruled out any possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the Kargil crisis, and refused to comment whether the coming Lok Sabha elections could be deferred due to the developments along the Line of Control saying, "there is no such proposal as yet".

Asked to comment on shifting of two military commanders from the Kargil sector, he said, "There is nothing wrong in it as these transfers are routine ones".