Transcript of the Colonel R E Williams Chat
'The operations will continue till the enemy is decimated'
The first of the Army chats on the Kargil operations:
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:25 IST)
Good evening! Col Rajiv Williams out here.
Jason (Fri Jul 2 1999 3:54 IST)
Congratulations sir on the wonderful job you and your men are doing on the LoC. What does the situation look like right now?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:28 IST)
Jason: Thank you. The operations are going as per our plans and we are steadily pushing the militants who are operating in consort with the Pakistan soldiers, both through the ground operations and the air strikes are softening the targets.
Bharat (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:5 IST)
Sir, what do you think of the option of India crossing the LoC?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:29 IST)
Bharat: Your question really is a political question and therefore I think the answers lie with the polity and not with the military.
Chandra (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:8 IST)
How long (In Time) do you think it takes for us to recapture these peaks from the enemies? What steps is the Indian government taking to prevent such incidents in future?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:33 IST)
Chandra: Your question with reference to time is dependent upon a number of factors. Firstly, the terrain and the enemy holding the feature are important inputs in capturing the posts. Besides, the other important aspect of priorities of capture would also dictate the time taken in reducing the enemy positions. The second part of the question is really the steps that are required to be taken. I would only like to mention that our troops are well poised to tackle any kind of intrusion/misadventure by the Pakistani military.
Puru (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:19 IST)
Don't you guys think that if we give Pak a safe passage and Pak calls back the intruders, Pakistan will again come into the good books of US & NATO? Instead, before Pak even decides about accepting the safe passage, the intruders should be killed / forcefully evicted. This will keep Pakistan in the current bad light that it is.
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:36 IST)
Puru: I appreciate your stand towards giving a safe passage to the militants. Let me assure you that it is an aggression which is being tackled in a very professional manner by the Indian army and the operations will continue till the enemy is decimated from the areas they have occupied on the Indian side of the LoC.
Maria (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:21 IST)
Sir, what do the soldiers feel about the diplomatic efforts? Has it helped any on the war front?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:39 IST)
Maria: I would like to remind you that the Indian army is an instrument of power like the other elements of power of a nation-state. The tasks that are given to the Indian army will be completed with absolute precision. The diplomatic efforts are on to manage the crisis. Our soldiers are aware of the developments and will continue to achieve results.
Rajeev (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:28 IST)
Hello Colonel we have been fighting now for almost two months, and suddenly there is a lot of money being made at the expense of the soldiers on the front via advertising, politicians giving blood holding meetings as though THEY are the ones fighting. Don't you think this trend is very wrong and should be stopped?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:42 IST)
Rajeev: The warfare of today is not only restricted to the battle area but the canvas has been been enlarged because of the media. The media needs resources to carry the activities across the globe for which perhaps they have initiated certain programmes, for their personal gains. The feelings in this regard are that the corporate sector must project the correct image of the country and not take advantage of any happenings at the battlefront.
RANA (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:29 IST)
Dear Colonel William: Is it correct that loss of the Indian army in Kargil is much larger as compared to its loss during 1971? Can you give official figures of the army officers and jawans dead and injured in 1971 and now in Kargil?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:47 IST)
Rana: Your assumption is most inaccurate. The 1971 Indo-Pak war was a full-fledged war and the ramifications are obviously different compared to the current conflict. The casualty figure of 1971 can be obtained from the documents available and you would appreciate the casualties in the current crisis as of date do not match with the 1971 casualties. Notwithstanding, I appreciate your concern for our casualties and we must remember that our soldiers are the best and they are willing to undertake any risks to achieve the goals set before them.
valsa (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:36 IST)
Hello Rajjo, This is me and Mummy here. Can we also ask questions?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:49 IST)
Valsa: Yes! Please go ahead.
Sanjai Kukreti (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:35 IST)
Col Williams: Why has the Indian side restricted itself to using pinprick weapons, like laser-guided munitions and cluster bombs? Aren't these inadequate for a dispersed enemy in the mountains? Why aren't we using Fuel-Air Explosives and other much heavier weapons?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:51 IST)
Sanjai Kukreti: I think the inputs that you have with regard to the weapons systems being used are perhaps not absolutely correct. It would suffice to mention that the IAF has used the latest weapons and the effects of the strikes have been extremely devastating.
RANA (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:39 IST)
Dear Col: I understand that even if Kargil is recaptured by the Indian army the cost to retain it will be thrice the cost to retain Siachen. Is it correct that in Siachen the Indian army has till now lost 5,000 army personnel and 90% due to bad weather?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:55 IST)
Rana: The cost incurred in the operation in Siachen are inconsequent as compared to the task at hand. We are designed to ensure that no part of our territory is occupied by a foreign power, and therefore, the cost at Kargil for this current operation does not matter. I will agree with you that holding any territory with additional troops costs money. However, it would be premature to quantify the costs at this stage.
mog (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:44 IST)
Col Sahib, don't you think the daily evening press briefings by Colonel Bikram Singh on behalf of the Indian army are now counter-productive?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:57 IST)
Mog: No briefings are ever counter-productive. The idea of having the evening briefing is essentially to give you an update of the past 24 hours happenings and therefore, I am quite sure the inputs benefit many across the country as also across the globe.
Indian (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:36 IST)
Colonel Sir: Welcome to the Rediff chat. It is nice to see the armed forces opening up and embracing the newer approaches of communicating with the world! Now for a delicate question. Why has categorical proof NOT been provided for the Western media, that the Pakistani army IS directly involved in the incursions? Here is what I envision: Have one WESTERN and one Indian reporter sitting with an attack force that is about to make a capture. As soon as the post has been secured, let the reporters SEE the identification cards AS they are being found on the enemy bodies. Don't you think this would be enough to silence the doubts that the WESTERN journalists keep expressing ('allegedly Pakistani soldiers') ?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:2 IST)
Indian: Thank you for your suggestions which we will examine keeping the security aspect in mind. However, it would be correct for me to state that the nexus between the Pakistan military and the militants is amply clear and we have been periodically indicating this fact by releasing necessary documents in support of our claim.
Kalia (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:58 IST)
Dear Col: Don't you think the Indian army is trapped in Siachen and Ladakh? Supplies during May-September 200 trucks a day are not likely to reach them. They may starve to death of die in cold season. Have you thought of asking for safe passage for the army now trapped?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:5 IST)
Kalia: I must confess that your knowledge of the areas being referred to is very poor, and so is your understanding of the current situation. I would suggest you expand your horizon and appreciate the developments in the correct perspective.
ajay (Fri Jul 2 1999 4:58 IST)
Colonel I want to know the fate of 9 missing soldiers. Are they in Pakistan captivity or they are dead... What is the army doing regarding this?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:8 IST)
Ajay: There has been no communication about the missing personnel. I am sure that the Pakistani military will soon communicate with us on the subject.
mog (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:1 IST)
Colonel Williams: Agreed briefings may not be counter-productive . . . BUT aren't they being carried a bit too far in as much as we now have commercial breaks also? Furthermore, do these briefings put pressure on officers in the front to "show" results??? Must we have a three-man circus, why not show some captured Pakis or injured troops or some live heroes instead of the (DADs) dandies on display?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:10 IST)
mog: We hope to show you some more relevant documents and other captured material in the near future. We would also try and release some footage on the issues that have been addressed by you.
jkl (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:4 IST)
Colonel, does the army have any views on converting the LoC into the actual border --strategically, etc?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:12 IST)
jkl: The Indian army cannot comment on your instant question.
Princess (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:1 IST)
Colonel, on the one hand we have the armed forces repelling Paki intrusion into our territory. On the other, we have a whole set of people clamouring for playing cricket with Pakistan. What is the view from the barracks on this dichotomy? Are the men in khaki confused by this? *frankly, I am*...
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:14 IST)
princess: Firstly, I would like to tackle the question of khakis vis-a-vis the OG. I presume you are referring to our uniformed fraternity which apparently wears OG and not khaki. The cricket diplomacy is on the playfield, the military plays games on the battlefield. Which one would you like to appreciate and cheer?
anirudh (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:7 IST)
Col: you are ducking questions on how many men killed, how long it will take to finish ...so what exactly are you here to talk about then ?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:17 IST)
anirudh: I am not here to duck questions. The casualty figures, as of date, are 217 Indian soldiers killed. I have already mentioned that we cannot give a time frame of the events taking place.
phani (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:11 IST)
Respected Col, Did you read the news today that in Andhra why the youth is not interested in the army?? Are you taking any steps??
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:20 IST)
phani: It is incorrect to surmise that people from Andhra are not coming forward to join the army. I would like to mention that over the email we keep receiving letters from people across the country with special reference to the people from the southern states to come forward and join the army. We have also been receiving a number of letters from the people in this regard.
Brave (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:13 IST)
What steps are being taken to counter the remote piloted aircraft which enters our territory. How come our planes get shot and theirs are still unidentified?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:23 IST)
Brave: We did get some reports of some pilotless vehicles operating along the border in the Jammu region. Actions were taken to bring down the pilotless vehicle. We are not sure whether we were successful in bringing it down. I would also like to add that you cannot compare a pilotless vehicle with an aircraft which is a much bigger target.
Prem (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:19 IST)
Col why doesn't the government just go all out and capture PoK and make it part of India? And also annexe parts of Pakistan and make it IOP.
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:27 IST)
Prem: There is a Line of Control, which has been jointly arrived at after the 1971 conflict. This Line has been clearly delineated and has been respected by the two countries for the last 27 years. It will not be in order to violate the LoC by India for reasons which have been mentioned by you.
mog (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:26 IST)
You want to answer one more thing, Colonel? Why are we ashamed of bringing our dead soldiers, why do they have to be brought out through the ramshackle cargo terminal at Palam? Hmmm? Are we not proud of them? Why not have an open service for them, at, say, India Gate? Why only in seclusion? Bring them in front of Parliament House, Sir, they deserve to be brought in front of those they are fighting for ...
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:31 IST)
mog: I appreciate your sentiments. We would very much like to honour our dead soldiers in the manner in which you are suggesting. However, it is not fair to deny the bodies being taken to the place which the family desires to be taken to, and therefore after the bodies are brought down from the aircraft at Palam, we have a ceremony being performed before the body is finally shipped to the place where it would be laid to rest with military honours.
Milind (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:29 IST)
Col Williams: Sir, I have absolutely no questions regarding the armed forces work in the Kargil issue. I have more political questions like "how logical is Pakistan's claim over Kashmir ?" I believe that if Pakistan *had* Kashmir they wouldn't be fighting for it. And since they don't it should not be an issue at all! Would you be in a position to elaborate on this please?
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:35 IST)
Milind: I would like to just state that there is no justification for Pakistan claiming any part of the Kashmir region. You would have read the problem which occurred in 1947-48, and Pakistan needs to keep propping up this issue for its own survival. However, it has failed in its efforts and will continue to fail in future.
Col R E Williams (Fri Jul 2 1999 5:38 IST)
Good night everyone and Thank You for being patient! We will Chat again, same time, same place, next Friday. I have not been able to answer all the questions due to paucity of time and should you have some pressing questions to ask, I suggest you email them on the armed forces website.
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