From Jal Khambata

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is most likely to
visit Dras sub-sector later this week to personally congratulate
the troops who captured the Tiger Hill top on Sunday.

The programme, however, is being kept a closely-guarded
secret even as the exact date and time are worked out with the
Army who has to conduct Vajpayee around.

Vajpayee has reportedly expressed desire to go to the Tiger Hill top
itself from where the enemy has been uprooted to hoist the
Tricolour and thus mark India's victory against all heavy odds.

The Indian Army is, however, reluctant to take him to the top.
It is believed to have pointed out that the fierce battle is
still continuing on the slopes of the Tiger Hill and hence it
would not permit Vajpayee to take the risk of visiting the top.
Moreover, the shelling is also on from across the Line of
Control. 

Since Vajpayee is insisting to go to the top, the Chief of the
Army Staff, Gen. V. P. Malik, is flying to Drass to personally
ascertain if the hill top can be desensitised for the Prime
Minister's safe visit.

As per the present indications, Gen. Malik would reach Drass two
days in advance of Vajpayee's arrival. It is also being worked
out if the Prime Minister can take along his senior Cabinet
colleagues and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.
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