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DATE=5/27/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249853
TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR / L
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  INDIA THURSDAY LAUNCHED NEW AIRSTRIKES IN KASHMIR AGAINST
WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS "INFILTRATORS," DUG IN ON HIGH GROUND ON THE
INDIAN BORDER WITH KASHMIR.  V-O-A'S JIM TEEPLE REPORTS FROM NEW 
DELHI SENIOR INDIAN COMMANDERS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE ATTACKING 
UNTIL THEY EVICT THE INFILTRATORS.
TEXT:  SENIOR INDIAN COMMANDERS SAY THEY ARE CONCENTRATING AIR 
ATTACKS ON SUPPLY ROUTES AND HIDEOUTS THEY SAY THE INFILTRATORS 
ARE USING NEAR THE TOWNS OF KARGIL AND DRAS.  THE AREA IS ABOUT 
200 KILOMETERS NORTHEAST OF SRINIGAR -- THE SUMMER CAPITAL OF 
INDIA'S JAMMU AND KASHMIR STATE.
SENIOR INDIAN COMMANDERS DIRECTING THE OPERATION ARE CALLING 
THEIR ATTACKS A LOCAL OPERATION DESIGNED TO FLUSH OUT THE 
INFILTRATORS AND FORCE THEM BACK ACROSS THE PAKISTAN BORDER.  
MAJOR GENERAL J-J SINGH A SENIOR ARMY COMMANDER SAYS REPORTS FROM
HIS GROUND TROOPS INDICATE THE AIRSTRIKES ARE HAVING THEIR 
INTENDED EFFECT. 
            //  SINGH ACTUALITY //
         WE HAVE RELIABLE REPORTS THAT SOME OF THESE POSITIONS 
         ARE FINDING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STAY ONE.  THEY HAVE 
         SUFFERED HEAVY CASUALTIES DUE TO OUR GROUND ACTION WHICH
         INCLUDES ARTILLERY SHELLING AND THE EFFECTIVE 
         AIRSTRIKES. 
            //  END ACTUALITY //
GENERAL SINGH SAYS THE MAIN OBJECTIVE FOR INDIAN GROUND TROOPS IS
TO CUT OFF SUPPLY ROUTES TO THE INFILTRATORS, AND ENCIRCLE THEIR 
POSITIONS.  HE SAYS HIS TROOPS HAVE INFLICTED HEAVY CASUALTIES.  
THE GENERAL SAYS MANY OF THE INFILTRATORS, HAVE BEEN WOUNDED AND 
THEY HAVE LITTLE OR NO CHANCE OF RECEIVING HELP FROM THE 
PAKISTANI SIDE OF THE LINE OF CONTROL, WHICH DIVIDES KASHMIR.  
AIR FORCE COMMANDERS WILL NOT SAY HOW MANY COMBAT AIRCRAFT ARE 
INVOLVED IN THE STRIKES, BUT THEY SAY MIG FIGHTER JETS AND 
HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS ARE CARRYING OUT NUMEROUS SORTIES.  THE 
INDIAN AIR FORCE HAS OVER 700 COMBAT AIRCRAFT AND HELICOPTER 
GUNSHIPS.  AIR COMMODORE SUBASH BHOJWANI -- WHO DIRECTS OFFENSIVE
OPERATIONS FOR THE INDIAN AIR FORCE -- SAYS HIS FORCES WILL 
CONTINUE STRIKING THEIR TARGETS FOR AS LONG AS NECESSARY. 
            //  BHOJWANI ACTUALITY //
         FRANKLY IT'S NOT REALLY POSSIBLE TO LAY DOWN A TIME 
         FRAME.  THIS IS WAR.  WE MAKE PLANS.  THE ENEMY MAKES 
         OPPOSITE PLANS.  THEY TRY AND THWART WHAT WE ARE TRYING 
         TO DO AND VICE VERSA.  SO REALLY THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN 
         LAY DOWN A TIME FRAME.  
            //  END ACTUALITY //
INDIAN COMMANDERS SAY THE INFILTRATORS HAVE BEEN OCCUPYING THEIR 
POSITIONS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THAT IT COULD TAKE THREE TO SIX 
MONTHS TO FLUSH THEM OUT OF THE KARGIL AND DRAS REGION.
            // REST OPTIONAL //
AMERICAN AND BRITISH DIPLOMATS ARE URGING RESTRAINT ON BOTH 
SIDES, SAYING THE PRIME MINISTERS OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE BEEN
IN TOUCH BY TELEPHONE.  THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR CONFRONTATION 
BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN SINCE BOTH COUNTRIES CONDUCTED NUCLEAR
TESTS, LAST YEAR.   (SIGNED) 
NEB / JLT / WD / WD 
27-May-99 5:36 AM EDT (0936 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.