Recognising LoC as border may be practical but incorrect

Bhopal, Dec 17: Recognising the Line of Control (LoC) as an international border between India and Pakistan could be a practical solution to the Kashmir imbroglio but would certainly not be the correct solution, feels Brigadier (Retd) Kailash Prasad 'Tom' Pande who was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for leading his jawans to victory at Mynamati during the 1971 Bangladesh War.

''Entire Kashmir is ours but the Indian policy on the issue leaves a lot to be desired. It has not been a diplomatic success for our country. Besides, our neighbour is seeking revenge for the loss of East Pakistan,'' the 81-year-old veteran -- who fought in every declared war (the Kargil conflict being an exception as it was accorded a separate status) in the history of free India -- told UNI in an interview marking 'Vijay Diwas', the anniversary of the 1971 conflict.

Brig Pande was part of undivided India's Regiment of Artillery.

Claiming that Indian jawans were better paid than their Pakistani counterparts, he said, ''(General) Musharraf is a very intelligent man and one should always have respect for one's adversary. Pakistan possesses a good army but it is badly commanded and politicised.''

A black-and-white photograph, in Brig Pande's living room, shows the then prime minister Indira Gandhi meeting the uniformed officer and bears testimony to the fact that he became a national hero after the war. ''Though civilians generally do not remember war heroes later on I have no regret as it has been 35 long years since that conflict,'' the veteran observed.

''The official 13-day war actually stretched for 13 months during which I fought 18 battles, killed and captured a number of people.

Though the Indian Army officially withdrew on March 13, 1972, I was helping the Bangladesh government in the Chittagong Hill Tracts for three more months,'' Brig Pande narrated.

Turning the pages of history, he described the Indian Peace Keeping Force's 1987-90 Sri Lanka mission as a ''foolish mistake.'' As against a sanctioned strength of 46,000-odd officers, the Indian Army has a shortage of approximately 10,500.

Commenting on the paucity, the brigadier -- who also served as Director-General (Recruitment) -- said, ''there has always been such a shortfall. We don't catch them young and vacancies are also limited at times. Conscription is not an option as India has a very large population.'' Pointing out that the prestige of an officer had declined, he added that members of royal families enlisted earlier.

''These days only money has value but the Army is not just a service for many who enlist only for the prestige,'' said Brig Pande whose family has donned the uniform for genrations.

UNI