Army's elite troops have been moved up to Batalik to lead the commando operations in the hand-to-hand battles. The Army personnel are understood to have suffered some reverses in the area of Jaldhor nullah, ahead of Panchoo.

Sources said the basic problem was that the troops did not have proper protective gear. ``Most of them do not have the essentials like bullet-proof vests. They are still wearing World War-I helmets. In such a situation, they are expected to fight the infiltrators, who are not only well-trained but also equipped with modern weapons,'' an Army official said.

People fleeing from Batalik also said that ambulances were carrying injured soldiers to the hospital in Leh regularly. ``It will take a long long time forthe Army to throw out the infiltrators,'' said Khurram Ali, an old man fleeing from Batalik.