Could this turn into a full-fledged war? Army Chief General V P Malik's statement last Thursday has pushed the possibility right to the fore. The army, he had said, was ready to cross the Line of Control if needed. And that need is very much there for a speedy eviction of the Pakistani intruders. In the inhospitable terrain, to which the conflict has been localised, the Indian troops find it hard to cut off certain supply lines to the intruders. In Batalik and Drass, they have been able to surround certain key position only from three sides. The fourth, thus, remains open to the Pakistan forces to get supplies and even cart the injured to their bases. In Batalik, for instance, the intruders have taken positions on a ridgeline that runs along the LoC. This forward base is supporting positions on two other ridgelines in front, running almost parallel. To choke the main positions, the Indian troops have been left with two options: either fight every inch of the steep incline from three sides under direct fire, or get behind, kill the supply line, wait for the targets to soften, and then attack from all sides. The situation is more or less identical in Kaksar and the Tiger Hill of Drass. ''War ladna chahiye,'' is a comment often heard from troops, especially young officers and jawans. The killing of 23-year-old Captain Sanjay Kalia, his men, and Sq Leader Ajay Ahuja have so angered the troops that they are eager to teach Pakistan a lesson. rediff.com spoke to jawans and officers in 15, Corps, Srinagar, the nerve centre of Operation Vijay, and in the affected Drass-Kargil-Batalik axis. The question posed to everyone was the same: Do think this conflict would escalate into a war? Needless to say nobody wanted his/her identity revealed. Views from Srinagar ''The army chief's statement has been effective. It has shaken them up. It showed them we wouldn't hesitate. They don't want a war now... the situation has improved. I don't think there will be any escalation.'' ''The shelling has reduced. They could be saving up for a sustained attack. But personally I don't think it's going to lead to a full-fledged war.'' ''They can't barge into our territory and do this. They should be taught a lesson.'' Views from Drass ''If it had to happen it would have happened by now. Why should we cross the LoC when we are gaining ground? At this stage I don't see any need for it. In any case, it doesn't make any difference to us -- we are ready for it.'' ''The army chief's statement was not rhetoric. Yes, it would help in the Drass if we crossed over. In Drass we've identified about three such places.'' A view from Kaksar ''War ladana chahiye. We should settle the matter once and for all. We must teach them a lesson they'll never forget? A view from Kargil ''The situation has to escalate. We can't contain them in a localised war. We've to open more fronts and hit them in their weak areas.'' A view from Batalik ''No, there's no need (for crossing the LoC) at this stage. If it's needed, no trouble, we are ready.'' Chindu Sreedharan is at home in Kargil
HOME | NEWS | BUSINESS | SPORTS | MOVIES | CHAT | INFOTECH | TRAVEL | SINGLES BOOK SHOP | MUSIC SHOP | GIFT SHOP | HOTEL RESERVATIONS | WORLD CUP 99 EDUCATION | PERSONAL HOMEPAGES | FREE EMAIL | FEEDBACK