Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
It is unfortunate that at a time when efforts were on to improve relations between India and Pakistan, the Pakistan government chose to facilitate large-scale infiltration by armed militants in the Kargil sector across the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir. This has led to a new situation which is fraught with serious consequences. It is a matter of serious concern that the Indian government was not vigilant and prompt in detecting and checking such large-scale infiltration which led to the entrenchment of the militants in the high ranges since the 6th of May. The air action initiated by the defence forces was aimed at clearing the area of the entrenched militants. The loss of two Indian Air Force planes in retaliatory action by Pakistan highlights the danger of the conflict escalating.
The CPI(M) wants all necessary steps to be taken to clear Indian territory of armed militants infiltrating from across the line of control without allowing the situation to escalate to hostilities between India and Pakistan. It is essential that Pakistan does not resort to any further provocative action across the line of control while the Indian side should exercise its legitimate control over the territory falling on our side.