June 21
THE KARGIL CRISIS
Indian troops recapture strategic Tololing ridgeline
The success was achieved after 21 days of intense fighting and eliminates the threat to the Srinagar-Leh national highway from enemy fire.
G-8 appeals for talks to end Kargil crisis
Blaming the conflict on the infiltration of armed intruders, the leaders said, "We regard any military action to change the status quo as irresponsible."
Vajpayee rules out further talks
The prime minister also made it clear that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral one leaving no room for third-party mediation.
Pakistan should be taught a lesson: Advani
The home minister said the conflict in Kargil had been contained and it is only a matter of time before the last of the infiltrators is weeded out.
Two killed, four injured in Pak shelling
Five persons, including two terrorists, were killed and a large cache of arms and ammunition, including grenades, mortar shells and remote-control devices, was captured in incidents elsewhere in Kashmir.
Sonia supports government on Kargil
"Being the main opposition, we have to play a constructive role. We will speak in one voice at this juncture. Questions can be asked later," she said.
Pakistani Hindus stay put in Haryana
The visitors are refusing to return to Pakistan citing harassment by Islamic fundamentalists.
June 20
THE KARGIL CRISIS
Operation Vijay costing Rs 100 million a day
This, finance ministry officials maintain, is "within manageable limits". But if the conflict stretches on for another three months, the expenditure will skyrocket, upsetting the government's budgetary calculations.
Fierce fighting on in Batalik, Drass
Describing as 'incorrect' reports that Indian troops had targeted enemy locations in Skardu in PoK, an army spokesman clarified that an enemy camp-cum-administrative base in 'Skardu region' had been 'neutralised' by artillery and mortar fire.
Advani to visit Poonch, Rajouri on Sunday
Hundreds of families have already fled the areas of Jammu bordering Pakistan in view of the heavy deployment of troops and fear of a possible flare-up.
Can't put time limit on operations: Tipnis
"We have contained the advance of the intruders and begun pushing them back. But the action of pushing back has to be done phase-wise and sector-wise. There is a need for patience and a calculated approach," the IAF chief contended.
IAF ready for 'any escalation'
"The fact that I am attending a passing-out parade shows that the situation is well under control," Air Chief Marshal Tipnis said.
Pak cancels 35,000 soldiers' civil duties
The government has asked all military personnel and officers up to the fourth rank of major attached with the Water and Power Development Authority to report back to their units.
Japan may raise Kargil at G-8 summit
The Japanese prime minister is determined to see that the concerns of Asia are not ignored.
US wants Pakistan to withdraw, says India
"There is every reason to believe that the United States is part of the international consensus which is asking Pakistan, indeed demanding of Pakistan, that this foolhardy enterprise should be folded up," an external affairs ministry spokesman said.
Sanctions against Pak: US denies report
"We believe that resolution of the Kargil situation requires withdrawal of forces by Pakistan from the Indian side of the LoC," said a state department official.
Kargil may give Pak ASEAN edge
The Philippines foreign secretary said more ASEAN members now favour Pakistan's participation in a security meet despite strong opposition from India.
PM briefs President on Kargil
During the 35-minute meeting, Vajpayee also apprised Narayanan of his visit to Dhaka beginning on Saturday.
THE REDIFF SPECIALS
The Great Betrayal
'We, as young officers, often faced a question from our rustic soldiers in the aftermath of the Tashkent and Simla summits: What did we shed our blood for, if all the area we fought and won was to be returned on a platter on the negotiation table?' says Wing Commander (retd) R V Parasnis.
Kargil Intrusion: Old Wine in New Bottle
'What Pakistan has chosen to do now in the Kargil sector does not show much originality. And for that very reason, the surprise that it has sprung on Indians appears so very remarkable,' says Lieutenant General (retd) Ashok Joshi.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
No easy answers
'The army is a place of extremes, I've decided, where the cycles of life and death are laced with the highest emotions we can give voice and vent to,' says Ashwin Mahesh.
A new deal for the armed forces
'This is a good time for a cerebral rather than emotional contribution from society to make life somewhat easier for the brave men in uniform who protect the nation's territory and integrity,' says Dilip Thakore.
THE REDIFF DIARY
Mountains eat up men
'We cannot rush things. Recapturing our old posts will take time, but I am certain we will recover all of our territory back sooner than expected,' says Major General (retd) O P Sabharwal.
THE KARGIL CRISIS: The entire coverage
OTHER REPORTS
India makes another brave attempt at peace
It would, however, be foolish to be swayed into believing that the problems that plague India-Bangladesh relations have ceased to exist. They have, at best, been brushed under the red carpet that was rolled out for Vajpayee by Sheikh Hasina.
Scepticism haunts Dhaka bus diplomacy
Whatever the suspicions, one thing is certain: people in Bangladesh will no longer have to undertake costly air journeys to Calcutta or Madras for medical treatment.
No need to amend Constitution, says Pawar
The NCP president told an RPI delegation that a simple explanation in the Citizenship Act would suffice to prevent foreign-born citizens from holding high office.
Orissa: Gamang will overcomechallenge from his own party
June 19
THE KARGIL CRISIS
5 soldiers killed in blast on key road
Ten others were injured when their vehicles ran over an improvised explosive planted by militants on the all-important Srinagar-Leh highway.
Sharief dashes plea to G-8 to 'avert conflict'
According to a foreign ministry spokesman in Islamabad, the Pakistan prime minister also sent a special envoy to Cologne to drum up support for the country's version of events in Kashmir.
IAF takes out intruders' main camp
Sources said the air strikes were very effective and the enemy suffered heavy losses. The camp was 'destroyed'.
Advani rules out change in poll schedule
"Yes, even if the military operations in Kargil go on, elections will be held," the home minister has said.
Army capable of destroying targets in PoK
India can launch artillery attacks on any target inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir that interferes with its operations against intruders, a defence spokesman has said.
Solve conflict through dialogue: Japan
Tokyo says that India and Pakistan must exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of fighting.
Imams condemn Pak intrusion
"Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and any effort by any quarter to alter its present status will not be tolerated by the Imams in particular and Muslims in general," says a statement.
Himachal has 'let down war heroes'
Promises made to the families of the armed forces personnel killed in action must be kept, say 1971 war veterans.
THE REDIFF SPECIALS
On an icy ridge, sipping sattu, ready to move in for the kill
'To be honest, it was a scary situation and for the first 10 minutes, my heart was pounding, my head was throbbing and I just could not think. But then I calmed down and realised that we were in danger.'
Amberish K Diwanji reports on a battle hard-won.
Ladakh Scouts: The heroes of Batalik
Major Wangchuk and his men were climbing an ice wall, using hammers and ice picks. And the Pakistanis, though they couldn't see through the mist, were firing sporadic bursts along the mountainside...
Kargil in perspective
'It appears that Pakistan looks upon India as a revisionist state, bent upon absorbing Pakistan within its fold, not having ever accepted the two-nation theory that brought Pakistan into being,' says
Lt Gen (retd) Ashok Joshi
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Nawaz Sharief as fall guy
'The Kargil invasion began as an operation aimed at India. It will be ironic if its ultimate victim is the PM of Pakistan. Ironic, but fitting!' says T V R Shenoy.
THE KARGIL CRISIS: The entire coverage
OTHER REPORTS
Sonia meeting draws huge crowd
The idea in selecting Varanasi as the venue was apparently guided with the aim of pooh-poohing the opposition bogey about her being a foreigner.
TMC firm on leading TN third front
Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram has said that it was up to the Congress to join the alliance led by his party.
Vajpayee, Hasina to hold talks
The Indian PM will be in Dhaka in connection with the inaugural run of the Calcutta-Dhaka bus.
Jaya's discharge in coal case challenged
In its revision petition, the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch contended that the special judge's observation that the AIADMK chief had no link with the deal was groundless.
Khairnar on a new mission
The 'demolition man' will undertake social welfare work in the strife-torn districts of Jehanabad and Gaya in Bihar.
Singer Kumar Sanu threatened in South Africa
A businessman who allegedly threatened to harm Sanu has been restrained by an interim order from the Durban high court.
THE REDIFF DIARY
Consistency and our cricketers
'Are these blokes senile? Or drunk? That under the influence of age or alcohol or both, they genuinely don't remember what they say, from one day to the next,' asks Prem Panicker.
THE WEATHER
Showers in the South
Heavy rains are likely at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, coastal Karnataka and Kerala during the next 48 hours.
June 18
THE KARGIL CRISIS
Home ministry favours rescheduling poll
"The CRPF is the main force in charge of election duties. But it will be impossible to pull out the CRPF from Kashmir this year if the Kargil operations continue for the next three months," a senior official told rediff.com
Indian troops move north of Tololing
An operation is also on to clear Tiger Hill, which is the hub and predominant position in the region from the point of view of latitude.
Pak brigadier admits to troops' involvement
Contradicting weeks of official denials, Brigadier Rashid Quereshi said his country's soldiers have been playing a major role in the operations against Indian forces across the LoC.
Elections on time, insists Advani
The home minister said it was just a matter time before the Pakistani offensive in Kargil collapsed.
About 900 intruders still in Kargil: army
Brigadier A K Chopra admitted that the infiltrators' supply lines have not yet been completely cut off.
Heavy shelling in Rajouri, Poonch
Small arms fire was also exchanged in Nowshera, Sunderbani and Bhawani sectors of Rajouri district and Katikarmara, Baghal Dara, Shahpur, Kerni and Sowajian sectors in Poonch.
Pakistan rules out major conflict
Pakistan is trying to convince world leaders that it has no control over the 'freedom fighters' and is in no position to ask them to withdraw.
Russia exposes Pak hypocrisy
Pakistan "is itself engaged in creating a Kosovo-like situation in the Kashmir valley", the Voice of Russia said.
India updating G-8 regularly on situation
"It is our expectation that the G-8 will understand that it is Pakistan's responsibility to take the right step to restore status quo ante," an external affairs ministry spokesman said.
India dismisses 'policy of hegemony' report
A spokesman said the Washington Post editorial had ignored fundamental facts in trying to review the Kargil situation.
Tihar inmates send money, good wishes to jawans
In a letter to Vajpayee they asked that the armed forces continue fighting till the last intruder is pushed back.
NDC briefs Sharief on 'post-nuclear South Asia'
The presentations related to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty, trade with India, Kashmir, scope of Pakistan's trade with the Central Asian republics, and Pakistan's economic condition.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'We must take PoK back'
"Pakistan's occupation of Kashmir is against the UN resolution. When Kashmir decided to merge with India, the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir did so. Not a part of it. So we should ask them to vacate the occupied territory of Kashmir. If we haven't done this in the past, we must do it now,' says Air Commodore (retd) Jasjit Singh.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
From enemies to being just rivals
'It would appear to make sense for China to have India on the defensive on two fronts. And that is exactly how it conducted affairs till recently. But some things have changed,' says P Rajendran.
Raising the Nuclear Threshold
'Bombay, which has so far escaped coming under a threat in both World Wars as well as the many Indo-Pak conflicts, is destined to become the prime target for a nuclear-tipped submarine-launched Harpoon missile in the 21st century,' says Admiral (retd) J G Nadkarni.
THE REDIFF DIARY
A journalist's duty
'At times of war -- which is what this is, despite the prime minister's qualification of the current crisis as war-like -- I believe there is a higher calling on journalists than mirroring the truth, and that is national interest.'
THE KARGIL CRISIS: The entire coverage
OTHER REPORTS
CBI outfit allowed to probe Rajiv case further
The Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency will inquire further into the case on the basis on the Justice Milap Chand Jain Commission report and the related action-taken report.
Kerala floods claim 24 lives
At least 39 people, including 14 children, have been injured in rain-related incidents since the onset of the south-west monsoon on May 25.
Bus diplomacy Part II
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will leave on Saturday morning on a two-day visit to Dhaka to receive the inaugural bus jointly with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
Fanatics threaten to disrupt PM's visit
The biggest fundamentalist party in Bangladesh, the Jamaat-i-Islami, has announced rallies in central Dhaka to coincide with Vajpayee's visit.
NCP joins hands with SP
The alliance will hold talks with like-minded parties to provide a viable third alternative.
Opposition asks Sharief to step down
The Pakistan Awami Ittehad has demanded that the government resign at once in the national interest and make way for a national government.
THE WEATHER
Mercury soars in Kashmir
Meanwhile, heavy rains are likely at isolated places in West Bengal, Sikkim, Orissa, the Bihar plateau, east Madhya Pradesh, Konkan, Goa, east Vidarbha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, coastal Karnataka and Kerala in the next 48 hours.
June 17
THE KARGIL CRISIS
Pressure may mount for fresh talks
"The world community has appreciated our restraint. But Western countries have not accepted our position that there is no scope for further talks till Pakistani troops are pulled out," a senior external affairs ministry official told rediff.com
Kosovo pushing China towards India
From the Chinese perspective, the US can intervene on behalf of, say, the Tibetans.
104 Indians, 297 Pakistanis killed
A defence ministry spokesman said Indian forces would not cross the LoC.
Clinton asks Pakistan to pull out
The US president warned that no progress could be expected on the Kargil issue unless the Pakistan-backed infiltrators and soldiers are pulled out of Indian territory.
Infusing too many troops is 'tactical blunder'
Several top retired army officials in Kerala have pointed out serious flaws in the handling of the situation.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
'We have no desire to enter Pakistan'
"In the beginning they were clumped together and needed stopping in a hurry. That is why we took risks in coming down and getting them. Now they are dispersed and in an increasing number of cases, abandoning their positions and running." Group Captain D N Ganesh tells the Rediff Chat.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Demolish the myth
'Fighting India is the only way that Pakistan can stay alive. That is what binds them, not Islam. That is what keeps their politicians in power, gets them cash and weapons, sustains their feeble economy. If there was no war with India, open or secret, there would be no Pakistan,' says Pritish Nandy.
I'm Venal, You're Scum
'Indeed, I don't know why the Pakistanis tortured our six soldiers. It sickens me. I write this to ask why that crime was greeted by so much outrage, but tortured deaths like those of Budhan and Pinya found so little,' says Dilip D'Souza.
Mr Precedent
'What has really got the government's goat is Narayanan's summons to the three service chiefs to brief him about the on-going Kargil operations. From the word filtering down, Narayanan seemed keen to embarrass the government.' Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar.
THE KARGIL CRISIS: The entire coverage
OTHER REPORTS
Jaya discharged from coal import case
But the special judge framed charges against nine other accused in the case, including former minister S Kannappan.
A political shot in the arm for Jaya
With the Congress high command keeping an open mind on an alliance in Tamil Nadu, the order will help the substantial pro-AIADMK elements within the party to argue their case for a tie-up more forcefully.
Israel woos India with military hardware
The Israelis specially invited the deputy chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Naqvi, to visit their facility at Le Bourget and hope to get him interested enough to obtain commercial orders later on.
AP faces cyclone threat
A low-pressure area has formed over the north-west and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.
TDP rules out poll alliance with NCP
A TDP spokesman said there was no communication whatsoever on the matter between Chandrababu Naidu and Sharad Pawar.
THE WEATHER
AP coast may get heavy rains due to depression in Bay
The low-pressure area lying over the west-central Bay of Bengal has become well marked and is likely to concentrate into a depression.
June 16
THE KARGIL CRISIS
Kargil exposes an ill-equipped IAF
Lack of high-technology weapons and an inadequate fleet of fighter planes have made Operation Vijay most difficult.
Major arms haul in Turtuk, 24 arrested
The perception that Ladakh would never be troubled has received a major blow with the Jammu and Kashmir police recovering a huge cache of arms from Pakistan-backed infiltrators.
Heavy shelling in Gurez sector
Over a dozen houses have been damaged. Several families have taken shelter at Bandipore, a north Kashmir town.
Pak untrustworthy, says Fernandes
The defence minister said military action would continue till the last intruder was thrown out of India.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
The Secret Tapes
Pakistani Army chief General Parvez Musharraf and Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Mohammed Aziz, in conversation. In Real Audio. Check out their May 29 discussion too.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Using a sledgehammer to swat a fly
'Four sharp pinpricks across the LoC in Kargil by the Pakistan Army have put the country in a spin. The army is geared for war... Never before has it been surprised so much by so little,' says Major General (retired) Ashok K Mehta.
Kargil, not Sonia's origins, will dominate polls
'The government may be full of good intentions, but it has failed miserably in its duty as the nation's sentinel, for which it will have to pay the price,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
THE KARGIL CRISIS: The entire coverage
OTHER REPORTS
BJP struggles for allies in Kerala
The party has now decided to field personalities, including President K R Narayanan's younger brother K R Bhaskaran. But there are few takers.
Pratapsing Rane elected assembly speaker
The Congress nominee, who had a long innings as Goa's chief minister, defeated his rival BJP candidate by a big margin.
National Conference leader gunned down in Kupwara
Police sources said a group of heavily armed terrorists entered the house of Advocate Aziz Malik and killed him after disarming his bodyguard.
Jailbreak foiled in Srinagar
Eleven Pakistani undertrials had dug a tunnel under the jail wall and were preparing to surface when the authorities caught on.
Death threat rumour has Daler hopping mad
The singer denies ever having received a call from Abu Salem and says the rumour is the handiwork of somebody who doesn't want him to work.
THE REDIFF DIARY
Pure entertainment!
If you thought the Taal music launch was something, take a peek behind the scenes. That's where all the fun and games really happened...
Tamil Nadu: Dalit Panthers will contest to defeat BJP-DMK front
THE WEATHER
More rains forecast for the West Coast
Heavy rain has been forecast at isolated places in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Konkan, Goa, coastal Karnataka and Kerala in the next 48 hours.
June 15
THE KARGIL CRISIS
Government expects to evict intruders in 8-10 weeks
Though the Vajpayee government is of the view that the Pakistani incursion in Kargil has been contained militarily and its repercussions managed well diplomatically, it is in a hurry to complete the operations.
Pakistan has betrayed our trust: PM
In a reference to Sunday's telephone conversation with Nawaz Sharief, Vajpayee said, "They now want to cool down and save the situation from escalating."
Pakistan stalling for time, believes India
External affairs ministry officials said Islamabad wants some breathing space in which to organise more intrusions.
Army advances, makes Srinagar-Leh road secure
The troops have pushed the Pakistanis further north of Tololing, inflicting heavy casualties and considerably reducing the threat to National Highway 1-A, a defence ministry spokesman said.
Clinton acknowledges Indian position, restraint
The American President rang up Prime Minister Vajpayee and discussed with him the situation in the Kargil sector, caused by the Pakistani intrusion, for about 10 minutes.
One killed, 3 injured in Pak shelling
Due to the shelling, large-scale migration of people from various border areas of the Jammu region has been taking place.
Vajpayee lauds troops
"The enemy had an initial advantage as it was stationed in the higher reaches. This will not last long," the PM said.
Respect LoC to avoid escalation: PM
During his telephone conversation with Sharief on Sunday evening, Vajpayee also said the Lahore dialogue could continue only if Pakistan respects the Simla agreement.
Invasion may 'boomerang' on Pak PM
Rumours have it that a plan has been prepared to remove Nawaz Sharief from power and try him for corruption.
Pak patrol 'missing after Indian attack'
The Pakistani Army said the team had set out from its Himalayan mountain position under cover of darkness, but did not return on Sunday.
Pakistan accuses India of using chemical arms
New Delhi denied the charge that its troops were using chemical weapons to flush out the intruders in Kargil.
Indo-Pak Rotarians lobby for peace
"We have faced this problem for the past 50 years and the general public wants peace," said Muhammad Faiz, an architect from Karachi.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'Pakistan's future is up in the air'
"I can well understand why people in India would feel outraged by current events at the LoC. But for India to reject Lahore as a result would be to ensure more Kargils in the future," says South Asian security expert Dr Michael Krepon.
THE REDIFF DIARY
Death Be Not Proud
'It takes cold courage to advance through enemy fire, to see your men falling, see them lying wounded, and still be able to carry on.'
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Kargil: The China Connection
'Force is the language the Pakistanis and their Afghan and Arab mercenaries understand. Instead, India, like a shrinking violet, treats them with gentlemanly restraint. Chivalry is seen as an admission of weakness -- and encourages the Pakistanis to redouble their efforts,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Musharrafgate
'War cannot be a reaction. It's obvious from the timing of the return of the six bodies that Pakistan is trying to set the agenda. It *wants* us -- even the people -- to react with anger. If that suits India's situation -- fine, let's war. But it's NOT an item open to *emotional* public pressure,' says Varsha Bhosle.
Who are the infiltrators?
'It is apparent that Islamabad has been finding less and less response among the Kashmiris for continuing insurgency. Otherwise, it would not have depended first on mercenaries and now on their regular forces,' says Kuldip Nayar.
THE KARGIL CRISIS: The entire coverage
OTHER REPORTS
Jaswant's visit placates Chinese, dialogue resumes
The two Asian giants decided to establish a security dialogue, enhance the level of political visits, give an impetus to the decisions of the joint working group, and promote economic and trade relations.
Goa's regional parties come closer
Goa's three regional parties, marginalised in the recent assembly election, are seriously thinking about creating a common platform and aligning with the NCP for the Lok Sabha election.
Naidu's subsidised LPG scheme incurs Opposition wrath
Andhra Pradesh will soon provide cooking gas connections to one million rural poor families at highly subsidised rates if the CM's plans materialise.
THE WEATHER
Monsoon spreads through the country
Heavy rain is likely to fall at isolated places in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Konkan, Goa, coastal Karnataka and Kerala in the next 48 hours.
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