India Prepares for ‘Decisive Battle’

KUPWARA, India —  Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee warned soldiers in this border village Wednesday to gird themselves for a “decisive battle” against Islamic militants who have been waging a separatist war in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Striking a bellicose tone, Vajpayee said his visit to an army camp fewer than 12 miles from the Line of Control that divides Kashmir was intended to send a strong message to Pakistan, which India has accused of sponsoring the insurgents.

“My coming here is a signal,” he said in a speech to about 700 soldiers that was carried live on national television. “Whether or not our neighbor understands this signal, whether the world takes account of it or not, history will be witness to this. We shall write a new chapter of victory.”

Vajpayee told the troops to “be ready for sacrifice” because “the time has come for decisive battle.”

India and Pakistan have assembled an estimated 1 million soldiers, heavy artillery and short-range ballistic missile batteries along their border. The buildup began in December after militants, who India contends were from Pakistan, attacked the Parliament in New Delhi, resulting in 14 deaths, including the five assailants.

India’s navy said Wednesday that it was moving five warships from the eastern fleet to reinforce its western fleet in the Arabian Sea south of Pakistan.

“The warships have been moved to increase the level of preparedness on the western sector, keeping in view the nation’s security concerns and the operational situation,” an Indian navy spokesman said.

The navy has 140 ships. The spokesman said the five ships--a destroyer, a frigate and three missile corvettes--would reach the Arabian Sea within a week.

Fighting in Kashmir has flared in recent weeks, and on Wednesday, Pakistan reported that a 10-year-old girl was killed and three other people were wounded as the two sides traded fire.