Taking no chances in Kargil
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Oct 18 — "No room for complacency. No post to remain unmanned during the winter." This is the direction the authorities in the Northern Command have received regarding defence preparedness in Kargil and Dras sectors.

Under a well-laid policy round the clock work is in progress in the icy heights of Kargil and Dras for constructing durable posts and bunkers. These posts were being established even on heights ranging between 13,000 and 19,000 ft.

Helicopters have been pressed into service for carrying cement and other building material to the forward posts. Besides this, all suitable arrangements like the ones in Siachen Glacier, are being made to make the stay of soldiers on these posts comfortable during winters.

Dras is the world's second coldest place after Siberia and hence wind-proof jackets, snow shoes, and other woollen garments have been purchased by the Defence Ministry and are being sent to Kargil and Dras.

As the number of posts is being increased to plug infiltration routes, additional troops have been sent to man these posts established over a distance of 120 km from Mushkoh to Batali. Before the May Kargil conflict about 100 posts on these icy heights used to remain unmanned during the winter months.

Since the demarcation of the LoC in Kargil-Dras in 1972 the Indian forces had no reason to hold these posts during winter. Out of over 110 posts between Mushkoh and Chor Batla the Indian troops earlier used to man only five per cent posts during the winter months.

However, under the new policy not only these 110 posts but the new posts also have to be manned during winter.

Government sources said manning these high altitude posts would cost over Rs 10 crore per day. The maximum expenditure was expected to be made on the transportation of essential items and kerosene to these posts.

According to sources these measures had been taken to foil any other misadventure by Pakistan and to strengthen the defence mechanism. Both the Union Home Ministry and the Defence Ministry have strengthened the Intelligence network in the area. Scores of personnel belonging to the Military Intelligence, RAW and IB have been deployed in various areas in Kargil and Dras region. These sleuths have been provided with suitable communication systems.

The state government too has strengthened its intelligence and police network in the area.