From what one hears and reads, I feel that there is no question that the LoC in the Kargil area can be allowed to be violated by Pakistan and we must defend it with all our manpower and resources.In fact, it is extremely improper for Pakistan to try and cross into our territory after both the countries agreed 27 years ago to keep the sanctity of this demarcation.
Our ground troops are doing a wonderful job in a difficult terrain in spite of the casualities and working in perfect harmony with the Air Force. We have lost a lot of young officers which proves that they are brave men who are leading from the front.
I think that the stance of the caretaker Government is absolutely correct. At this critical juncture, the Opposition parties should sink the differences and stand by the Government.
The Government's strategy of restrain on the LoC, besides the efforts to galvanise international opinion in India's favour have paid dividends and we should continue to follow it.
One reason why Pakistan hasselected this time to infiltrate is that it knows that we are going through political uncertainty due to the general elections. But we have put up a joint front and we will defeat their design in the next few days.
(As told to Ruchi Sharma)
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.