`This must be seen as a war by the authorities because that is exactly what it has been. All the soldiers - of the various arms of the Army - must get recognition for their service in this critical operation. They must wear separate ribbons, as a symbol of their bravery, on their uniform,' a senior official said.

Officers feel that Op Vijay must not be regarded as just one of the many counter-insurgency operations in the country. ``The situation in Siachen is viewed as a war. The soldiers who have served in those inhospitable conditions as part of the ongoing Operation Meghdoot there are decorated with a special Siachen medal. They have a separate confidential report of theirservice there. It goes in their record and their future promotions and career prospects depend upon it. The soldiers of Operation Vijay must get same benefits,'' the official added.

``It is a great morale booster for the soldier to have his bravery recognised by the country. For facing the enemy bullets in hostile mountainous terrain, a little recognition, a pat on his back, is all he needs to keep him going. Not everybody can win a Param Vir Chakra, a Vir Chakra or even a mention in the dispatches,'' said another officer.

Officers and jawans do not get any special mention, allowance of medal for participating in Operation Rakshak in Jammu and Kashmir. For the bravery and courage displayed by them in their fight against the insurgents, the soldiers are decorated with awards like Ashoka Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Kirti Chakra.

`Operation Vijay has been different. We have faced and fought the army of the enemy country. We have thrown out infiltrators from our soil. How is it different from a war?'questioned a young officer who fought bravely in the operations in the Drass sector.