archive: "There are tough days ahead" (Army Chief General V. P. Malik)
"There are tough days ahead" (Army Chief General V. P. Malik)
Posted by Ashok Chowgule (ashokvc@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in)
India Today
July 19, 1999
Title: "There are tough days ahead" (Army Chief General V. P. Malik)
Author:
Publication: India Today
Date: July 19, 1999
Though busy shuttling between Delhi and Kargil for key operational
meetings, General VP Malik, chief of army staff, took time off to
speak to Deputy Editor RAJ CHENGAPPA last Tuesday. By then nexus 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:
Q. After almost seven weeks of war over Kargil what has the Indian
armed forces achieved?
A: 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.
Q: How do you explain the time taken by the Indian Army to regain
occupied territory?
A: 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.
Q: What were the priorities you had laid down?
A: 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.
Q: But haven't the casualties been high?
A: 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.
Q: Were your hands tied be-cause the government said the LOC should
not be crossed?
A: I don't know how people have imagined this. Let me just say lye
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.
Q: Do you think the chances of a full-scale war are receding now?
A: 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.
Q: How much effort is needed to hold on to the heights after we push
the intruders back?
A: 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.
Q: Looking beyond Kargil what do you think are the key issues?
A: 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.
Q: Doesn't our intelligence set-up need a complete revamp after its
failure to detect the intrusions?
A: 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.
Q: What are the lesson from Kargil?
A: 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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