The Pakistani establishment was probably disheartened by the Indian success over the last couple of years in, by and large, overcoming terrorism in the Valley; restoring a popularly elected Government in Jammu & Kashmir, and in restoring Kashmir's premier industry: travel and tourism. With a caretaker Government at the helm in New Delhi, the Pakistani establishment felt emboldened to go on a veiled offensive in its attempt to try and redefine the Line of Control (LoC) with India.

India, of course, has reacted as a unified whole, cutting across party, regional and other lines, in support of a strong action by the Government to throw out the intruders. There is a consensus in our countrythat we should defend our territorial integrity at any cost. The country stands solidly behind the brave armed forces in their difficult campaign in an unimaginably inhospitable terrain. The nation's hearts go out to the families of those who have laid down their lives and to the injured.

I hope good sense will prevail in the Pakistani establishment and it will soon bring this episode to an end. I also hope that Ms Bhutto's realisation that Kashmir ought not be used as a pawn in the India-Pak relationship is embraced more and more by the present leadership of Pakistan.

If they are not hostile to each other and continue to work together for the collective good of their people, the two neighbours could gain tremendously from the rapidly increasing economic cooperation which could eventually lead to a free trade region of the SAARC nations.