We have to find out ways of ensuring that Pakistan does not give them a `safe passage' to the LoC and create trouble for us.

The Pakistani Army, politicians, businessmen and the people, which include the Pathans, Punjabis, Sindhis, Baluchis and Mohajirs, have different views on how to deal with India. We should try to influence these disparate groups and create conditions so that Pakistan will act as a buffer between Afghans and us.

We may also have to offer a very attractive trade and economic package to Pakistan for this purpose.

Our methods of gathering intelligence and its interpretation have obviously not been up to the mark. We have to revamp the working of the agencies involved in this task so as to avoid a failure of thisdimension in future.

We used to vacate the posts along the LoC during the winter with the understanding that Pakistanis will not occupy them. That, it seems, is a thing of the past now and we will have to position our troops round the year.

Our Army and Air Force are doing a magnificent job. We should be supporting these heroes so that they bring us victory. We must also be ready to make sacrifices for our country in the same spirit as these soldiers are laying down their lives to defend the frontiers.

(As told to Nanda Dabhole Kasabe)