Operation Parakram, a bloodless operation?

Soon after the December 13 attack on the Parliament, the Army as a part of Operation Parakram, deployed troops along the borders for more than ten months.

The operation, which was called a strategic move, was to help achieve political and defence objectives.

But these objectives have had a human cost, with the Army losing more men than it did in the full-blown conflict of Kargil.

While in the Kargil Operation Vijay 527 soldiers died, more than 680 soldiers were killed during Operation Parakram.

Accidental deaths

Over 100 soldiers died while laying nearly a million mines all over the border. As many as 110 soldiers died in road accidents as well.

"Losing so many men while laying mines is totally unacceptable. Also the men lost due to physical accidents could have been avoided," said Major General Ashok Mehta, defence analyst.

And ironically, despite the statistics, the government is still not willing to concede the extent of casualties during Operation Parakram.

"It is not that they died bina ladai. Though there was no war declared, there were attacks and counter attacks," said Defence Minister Pranab Mukherji.

Bloodless operation?

The many full-fledged operations during Operation Parakram were also never made public. These were going on in Kargil, Drass and Turtuk sectors.

In fact 14 corps captured Point 5070 during one such operation, forcing Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to sack the GOC, the Brigade Commander, and the Divisional commander of the Northern areas.

For India's defence establishment, Operation Parakram was seen to have shown off India's resolve to have an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with Pakistan. It also helped achieve some political and military objectives.

But while the government projects this as a bloodless operation, the figures of casualties suggest that this was a war, which had its human costs.
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New Delhi, Sanjay Ahirwal(NDTV)