NEW DELHI, Aug 30 — In what could prove to be extremely damaging for the image of the Army and belie its various claims, a noted lawyer and JMM-supported Rajya Sabha member, Mr R.K. Anand, today claimed that not just Point 5353 but at least five other heights in Kargil were still under Pakistani domination.

Pointing out that the BJP-led NDA government had been avoiding a discussion in Parliament on the issue, the Congress member pointed out that Point Aftab-I, Point Saddle Ridge, Point Bunker Ridge, Shangruti and Dhalunag were still under Pakistani control. All these points are in Mushkoh Valley and Kaksar region on the Indian side along the Line of Control (LoC).

He also claimed that the explanation of the Indian Army that Point 5353 was never in Indian control, after the news broke out that it was still under the Pakistani control, was false. He cited an incident to point out that the extremely strategic position was apparently lost during the Pakistani intrusion into Kargil early last year.

He said that while the Army authorities were now claiming that the peak was on the LoC and formed part of the features, which India and Pakistani officials had agreed not to occupy under the 1972 agreement, India had in fact in the month of May last even made an attempt to recapture Point 5353, but it was repulsed by Pakistan. He claimed that the attack was led by Capt Navneet Mehta.

Accusing the Army authorities of indulging in “cover up operations”, Mr Anand demanded that a five-member all-party Parliamentary committee visit Point 5353 to ascertain the factual position.