Return
to Story Page
To print: Select File and then Print from your
browser's menu
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
JAMMU, JUNE 20: Union Home Minister L K Advani today asserted that the conflict in Kargil will remain a "limited war" as, "the invasion has already been contained and it is only a matter of time before it is completely foiled".
"I call it a limited war as a full-scale war has to be declared by both countries", Advani said during his day-long visit to areas along the Line of Control including Poonch and Rajouri, during which he addressed people in these areas.
Advani said, "We believe that as a result of India's conscious efforts at trying to ensure limited confrontation in Kargil and not allowing it to escalate as also because the entire world has virtually admonished Pakistan for its naked aggression, it will be a limited war."
The Home Minister, who was here on invitation from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, visited some border villages to instil confidence in the minds of the people and discourage them from fleeing their homes.Advani said it was for the first time after 1947 thatPakistan had resorted to the use of army regulars in the border conflict.
"It is a kind of invasion that can only be compared with what happened in 1947 when Pakistan kept saying we have not invaded Kashmir, it is the tribals who have done it," he recalled.
Advani said barely a month back, Pakistan seemed to have been "gloating over what it had achieved (in Kargil)'', adding, "But now, they must be repenting for what they have done.''
Anti-Inter-Services Intelligence operations have been intensified not only in the northern region, but throughout the country, Advani said.
The Home Minister said about 20 companies of paramilitary forces had been deployed in the State to maintain internal security.
At Poonch, Advani said Pakistan had committed a blunder by failing to understand the strength of the Government, thinking the best time to strike was when the Opposition had pulled down the Vajpayee Government.
"They did not realise that all parties would stand united on the issue of national security,"he added.
He said Pakistan had violated the LoC and not India, which he said did not even cut off the logistical support to Kargil from across the LoC.Advani said Pakistan stood completely isolated in its efforts to internationalise the issue as major nations had asked it to withdraw the infiltrators.
He charged Pakistan with scheming to change the LoC thinking it might then be converted into an international boundary, leaving it with an a better hold on the arterial Srinagar-Leh highway.
The Home Minister also assured the people that local youth would be given preference in appointment to the armed forces.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
------------------------------------------------------------
This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
------------------------------------------------------------