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New Delhi: As controversy rages over the recent 'Operation Sarp Vinash' in Hillkaka mountainous region of Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre on July 13 blamed former state Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah for "delaying" the full-fledged Army action against terrorists entrenched there for two years through his "non co-operation".

Army, meanwhile, carried out 40 small operations in the region in Poonch border district between 1999 and 2002 killing 618 terrorists, Minister of state for Defence Chaman Lal Gupta said.

Commenting on the issue, four days after Abdullah claimed that he had been warning the Army about gathering of terrorists in Hillkaka since 2000, Gupta ridiculed him, saying his statement amounted to "degrading" the uniformed forces who are sacrificing their lives in the state for security of the country.

Pointing out that the Army had information about gathering of terrorists there and wanted to carry out a full-fledged operation involving aerial sorties, he said Abdullah was "repeatedly asked at meetings with Central government over last two years to take the responsibility of restricting movement of shepherds to the operational area".

The Central government promised to compensate the shepherds in lieu, he said.

Abdullah, however, "did not agree, saying he could not do so", the Union Minister said, adding it was only after Mufti Sayeed government took over and he agreed that the operation could be undertaken.

Gupta explained that Abdullah was asked to ensure restriction of movement of shepherds to avoid civilian casualties in such an operation and allow greater flexibility to the forces.

"Had Abdullah co-operated, the operation would have been undertaken two years back," the Union Minister said.

He said the operation was finally planned after the incumbent Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed agreed to restrict shepherds from going into the area and carried out within three months of decision.

The Centre paid Rs 7.5 crore as compensation to shepherds who take their animals to the mountains during summer season for grazing, he said.

Ridiculing Abdullah's comments against the Army, Gupta said, "If he has any political agenda against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, there are hundreds of ways of fulfilling it. But by questioning the Army's credibility, he is not doing any service to the nation."

"Abdullah's comments amount to degrading the military and can demoralise the forces who are fighting for security of the country," Gupta said.

He also rubbished allegations that the Hillkaka operation had failed, it was a "meticulous action" in which Army killed 65 terrorists but lost only five of its men.

A security grid has been established there now and the army is dominating the mountains where it takes six days to reach by foot, the Minister said.

PTI