Addressing station officers during a brief visit to Headquarters Western Command, Chandimandir, today, Gen Malik said greater stress needs to be laid on high altitude and mountain warfare tactics to fight in a difficult terrain like the Kargil Sector. "The Army has to be combatised much more than ever before to thwart any ill designs of the enemy from any quarter," he stressed.

Pointing out that Pakistan has been defeated both diplomatically as well as strategically, he said this momentum would keep gathering in India's favour. Gen Malik also said that steps were being taken by the Army to enhance surveillance capabilities along the Line of Control to ward of any untoward incident in future.

Referring to the commendable work being done by Indian troops in Operation Vijay, Gen Malik said: "We have to undo what Pakistan has done to restore national prestige and remain fully prepared to meet any challenge from the enemy."

The Army Chief said that after meeting troops on the frontline as well as those injured in combat, he found their morale to be very high. "However, there is no room for any complacency and each one of us has to anticipate events and swing into action at once," he added.

Gen Malik also visited injured soldiers recuperating at the Western Command Hospital and inquired about their welfare. Earlier, on his arrival at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, he was received by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lt Gen H.B. Kala and other senior officers.