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Army offensive to 'restore peace' soon in Kargil

Indian troops have launched a massive offensive to encircle about 300 to 400 heavily armed and trained Pakistani infiltrators in the Kargil and Drass sectors after foiling their attempts to cut off the 434-kilometre-long Srinagar-Leh national highway.

Lieutenant General Krishan Pal told the media in Srinagar today that the ongoing operation has so far claimed 34 lives, including 22 infiltrators. Seventy-eight infiltrators and 37 soldiers had been injured in the two sectors since May 9.

He said the operation was time-consuming due to the very difficult terrain. It would take some more days to restore peace in the area, he said.

Lieutenant General Pal's statement exposes the hollow claims of Defence Minister George Fernandes.

On Sunday, Fernandes claimed that Pakistani infiltrators would be flushed out of the two sectors by Tuesday. However, as Pakistani shelling continued on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had to cancel his Kargil visit.

UNI

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