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IAF hits target with new delivery technique

Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed by Indian troops in ground operations in Dras and Batalik sub-sectors as renewed air attacks with new weapon delivery techniques brought further success during the past 24 hours.

The army spokesman, Col Bikram Singh said with three jawans being killed in fighting, the Indian casualties so far have gone up to 168, besides 337 wounded and nine missing.

The Pakistani army has suffered 347 killed, 15 of them officers. Group captain D N Ganesh, joint director of operations, said at a briefing that the IAF fighter planes and helicopters made very effective strikes yesterday and today.

According to ground troops, many enemy casualties were seen being evacuated. Without elaborating, he said post-attack analyses showed that the new weapon delivery techniques developed by the western air command, had proved to be very accurate and had caused considerable damage to the positions being held by the Pakistani infiltrators. He said the air attacks were carried out in Dras sector during the past two days.

Group Capt Ganesh said the air attacks were helping in a big way in reducing attrition on the Indian ground troops and in choking the sustenance routes of the armed intruders. Asked how would he assess the progress made by Operation Vijay, which will complete a month tomorrow, Col Singh said 'substantial gains' had been made. But it would be difficult to make an assessment.

For example, he said it had taken 21 days to clear the Tololing ridge line, while the army had thought it would take less time. The biggest gain in Batalik sector, he said had been point 5203. Asked about the fighting around Tiger Hill, he said all positions held by the Pakistanis will be vacated soon. He said there was a distinct dip in the morale of the Pakistani forces and mercenaries who had infiltrated into the Kargil sector as they were running out of supplies. ''The zeal with which they started has gone.''

Col Singh said after Indian troops recaptured one or two important features, the area in which the infiltration had taken place would be greatly reduced. The intruders had already been pushed back four to five km. Asked whether Pakistan had occupied an Indian post in Marpola sector, he said the area was very much with India.

To a question, Col Singh said the migration of locals from Kargil sector had not been a planned movement. Hence, the army did not know how many had left or come back. But an environment was being created for their return, he said.

The army spokesman said Pakistan continued with unprovoked firing in Kanzalwan, Machal, Rampur, Karen, Poonch, Krishnaghati, Bhimbalgari, Sunderbani and Naushera sectors which was responded adequately by Indian troops.

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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