PM warns Pak. on propaganda

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 26. Kargil Vijay Diwas today saw the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, warn Pakistan that its propaganda about divisions within the Indian camp at the Agra summit could create problems for future talks.

Talking to mediapersons on the fringes of the Kargil Vijay Diwas function here, the Prime Minister said there were no differences of opinion within the Indian delegation as was being made out by Pakistan. ``No one in the delegation wanted terrorists to be called freedom-fighters. Nor did anyone want to ignore the issue of cross-border terrorism.''

Denying that there were hardliners within the Indian camp who were against an agreement being reached, he said: ``We were united and all decisions were taken together. This kind of talk by Pakistan can create problems for future talks.''

Earlier, addressing the function, Mr. Vajpayee said India's commitment to peace should not be seen as a weakness as Kargil had proved that ``we can protect ourselves'' and make supreme sacrifices to do so. The country would give a befitting reply to anyone who had designs on its territory, he added.

New awards

He also informed the gathering - which included some Kargil gallantry award-winners and the next of kin of those killed in the conflict - about the decision to institute two gallantry awards: Operation Vijay Star for the personnel from the armed forces involved in the conflict in the upper reaches of Kargil, and Operation Vijay Medal for the police and paramilitary personnel who took part in the Kargil operations.

Further, Mr. Vajpayee announced that the revised disability pension - currently being given to personnel who suffered disabilities after 1996 - would be extended to those maimed prior to the existing cut-off date. Another announcement he made pertained to medical facilities for ex-servicemen.

Pointing out that the Government was aware of their problems, the Prime Minister said a committee under the Defence Minister would look into suggestions for the welfare of ex- servicemen. A fresh medical scheme for them would be finalised in the next three months.

A rare battlefield

Saluting the bravehearts killed in Operation Vijay, Mr. Vajpayee said Kargil had been a rare battlefield; not just because of the height of the theatre of conflict, but also because of the way the two sides were positioned with the enemy having the vantage of height while Indian troops had to move into their positions under the enemy's eye.

The Defence Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, the Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, the Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, and the Tourism and Culture Minister, Mr. Ananth Kumar, along with the three service chiefs, were among those who attended.

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