After a fierce battle, the Army succeeded in wresting control of the peak, crucial for launching the final offensive on Tiger Hill. The Army did suffer some casualties but figures were not available immediately.

Recovery of Peak 5100, which overlooks the LoC, was crucial for cutting off the enemy supply line which sends reinforcements. Secondly, from the peak the enemy would fire at the soldiers trying to surround Tiger Hill from behind. ``The victory has certainly placed us in a better position for recovering other peaks and then Tiger Hill,'' an officer in Drass told The Indian Express.

The mood at the Drass brigade headquarters was more upbeat today after the news of recovery of Peak 5100 came in on the signalsradio set. But officers here say though the battle has been won, the war continues.

``There are two more peaks that have to be taken. And the infiltrators after running away, having abandoned one post, try to consolidate their position at another. Then Pakistan's artillery continues to shell Tuloling Heights, Peak 5140 and other places from where the Army dislodged them. Moreover, we still have to clear the entire ridge-line in the Drass sector,'' said an officer.

``The enemy defences are well-prepared. At Peak 4700, and near Peak 5100, the Army found universal machine-guns, heavy machine-guns, anti-aircraft guns and abundant supply of ammunition. The Pakistani intruders look at our troops from the heights and communicate the positions to their base. That is how artillery fire is directed at our advancing soldiers,'' he added. In fact, in the adjoining Mushkoh Valley, the offensive had to be halted yesterday after the death of four soldiers.

The Army faces an uphill task not only in getting the heightsvacated but also in recovering the bodies. ``On altitudes higher than 16,000 feet, soldiers can barely carry their rifles and back-packs. And here they have to bring down bodies of their comrades-in-arms. It takes as many as eight soldiers to carry one body down from the heights. Almost 1,000 of us are engaged in simply bringing down the bodies,'' said another officer.

With the job of consolidating the positions on the recovered peaks underway, the Army has asked for reinforcements. The peaks which are the next target are higher and more complex.

``There is only one route to many of the peaks, the ridge-line is steep and at every 20 metres they have installed guns -- both machine-guns and anti-aircraft guns,'' pointed out a young Captain.