July 19, 1999

Though busy shuttling between Delhi and Kargil for key operational meetings, General V.P. Malik, chief of army staff, took time off to speak to Deputy Editor
Raj Chengappa last Tuesday. By then news of the joint statement by the US and Pakistan on Kargil had come in but the situation on the battlefront remained the same and in some sectors the war had intensified. With battle still raging, Malik refused to be forthcoming on subjects such as intelligence failure and the constraints the armed forces face. But he gave enough hints about the urgent need for reform. Excerpts:

After almost seven weeks of war over Kargil what has the Indian armed forces achieved?
It should be evident to anybody that the carpet Pakistan had rolled for itself is now being rolled back. That process will keep gathering momentum. There are tough days ahead. But we are prepared for it. We know we will achieve our objective.

How do you explain the time taken by the Indian Army to regain occupied territory?
It always takes a little time for orientation especially when you are suddenly faced with an unexpected situation. That period is over now. We know what we have to do and we are going ahead with that. There is much greater confidence now both at the tactical as well as the strategic levels.

What were the priorities you had laid down?
One was to keep the highway clear (of any threat). A considerable degree of that objective has been achieved. Most of the key features which the enemy had taken have been recaptured and the others will also come our way soon. Our boys have done extremely well. There is tremendous josh (enthusiasm) in them.

But haven't the casualties been high? |
In the type of war we are fighting it is inevitable. The terrain is hostile, there are logistic problems. After all, the enemy was already sitting on the heights. But I do feel we would have reduced our casualties had we the right equipment. That is one thing I feel bad about.

Were your hands tied because the government said the LoC should not be crossed?
I don't know how people have imagined this. Let me just say we are reviewing the situation very frequently. At the moment the decision is not to. If and when the need arises we can take it. There are so many factors other than the military involved.

Do you think the chances of a full-scale war are receding now?
Such conflicts are usually between two parties. How can I say anything about the other side? After all today we are reacting to what they did. I do not want to speculate on the issue.

How much effort is needed to hold on to the heights after we push the intruders back?
Against such perfidy at the operational level we can't take chances. We do have to look beyond Kargil. But these are political decisions that have to be taken.

Looking beyond Kargil what do you think are the key issues?
I don't want to go into any details now. But we must not be shortsighted. The farsightedness I am calling for must be at the politico-military level. If you have a particular aim then you must work towards that.

Doesn't our intelligence set-up need a complete revamp after its failure to detect the intrusions?
I do not want to say anything today. People raising these questions must understand the whole issue first. And must raise it at the right time. When the time comes we should tackle it. It must be gone into and wherever there are any problem areas they need to be sorted out.

What are the lessons from Kargil?
There are many. But right now I would only say that it is good our country is giving so much respect to our martyrs. It helps in raising the morale while we are fighting. But I do wish we also respect the soldier and take care of both his operational as well as other needs during peacetime so that he doesn't have to become a martyr. If you start comparing a soldier to a policeman, paramilitary force or a good chowkidar, it hurts. It gives a feeling to the soldier that he is being neglected.

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