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Fernandes rules out repetition of Kargil

Defence Minister George Fernandes Sunday ruled out any repetition of Kargil and said that the security forces had achieved 'tremendous success' in Kashmir in recent weeks.

''There cannot be another Kargil. Kargil will never be repeated,'' Fernandes said in Calcutta while releasing a book Kargil - Misadventures in the Hills .

Asserting that the 150-km border with Pakistan along the Line of Control was 'well-protected', he said posts have been set up along the entire stretch. ''We have posted our men and regular aerial surveillance is on.''

He said four task forces set up as a follow-up to the Subrahmanyam committee report on circumstances leading to the Kargil conflict would submit their conclusions in October.

The task forces were constituted after the report was studied by a group of Cabinet ministers.

''Once the task forces submit their conclusions, we will start working on their recommendations to bring about greater integration between the armed forces and the defence ministry,'' he said.

Affirming the government's commitment to transparency, he said the task forces' recommendations would be made public.

Fernandes claimed that the army, police and paramilitary forces had achieved 'tremendous success' in the valley in recent weeks.

At least 14 Pakistani soldiers were killed when they tried to capture an Indian border post in the valley four days back. One Indian soldier lost his life and another was missing as the jawans succesfully repulsed the attack.

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