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India ready for any Pak mischief, says govt

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

India is prepared to meet any eventuality following reports of Pakistan building bunkers on its side of the Line of Control in the Kargil sector and will decisively counter Islamabad's moves to continue border skirmishes, the government has confirmed.

"We are fully aware that Pakistan is building more concrete bunkers beyond the LoC. We have taken prompt and decisive steps to repel any misadventure," defence ministry sources said.

The sources told rediff.com that "the country has learnt its lessons from the Kargil conflict and our preparations are geared to meet any misadventure by our hostile neighbour".

Referring to the recent spurt in border skirmishes provoked by Pakistani troops, the sources said "quick and effective steps" had been taken by the government "to reply in adequate proportions", and its effects have been felt on the other side.

They contended that the government is determined to "teach the adventurers an appropriate lesson this time".

According to senior officials of the Union home ministry's Kashmir department, Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, during his recent visit to the state, personally oversaw the government's preparations to tackle the militants. The home and defence ministries are working in tandem for this purpose.

They also pointed out that Special Secretary (Kashmir) Tilak Raj Kakkar had got a "firsthand view" of the preparedness to tackle the Pakistan-backed militancy during his visit to the state a couple of days ago.

It is understood that the central government has suggested to its state counterpart headed by Farooq Abdullah that the administration should be revamped in the wake of the brutal murder of Minister of State for Power Ghulam Hassan Bhat and four others recently.

Bhat and those accompanying him were blown to bits when militants detonated an improvised explosive device planted in a water pipe under the road. The central government's suspects that some employees might have "compromised" security in the state.

Meanwhile, the home ministry is considering a proposal to provide jammers to politicians in all militancy-hit states. The jammers deactivate hidden explosive devices within a range of 500 metres. Many politicians in Kashmir are said to be clamouring for jammers in their official vehicles. As of now, only Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's convoy is equipped with jammers.

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