Before I end, I would like to add a word about the famous Fourth Division which took part in these operations. It is indeed sad that this famous Division had to sacrifice its good name in these series of reverses. It is still sadder that this Division during the actual operations was only Fourth Division in name, for it was not fighting with its original formations in tact. Troops from different formations had to he rushed to the borders to fight under the banner of the Fourth Division, while the original formations of the Division itself were deployed elsewhere. I am confident, and I am sure the House would share with me that the famous Fourth Division would live to win many more battles if there is any future aggression against our country.

Before I conclude, I would like to mention that we have certainly not waited for this Report to be in our hands to take corrective action. The process of taking corrective action had started simultaneously with institution of this Enquiry and the House would recollect that I had informed it of the same.

What happened at Sela and Bomdila were severe reverses for us, but we must remember that other countries with powerful Defence Forces have sometimes suffered in the initial stages of a war. The aggressor has a certain advantage, more especially when the aggression is sudden and well prepared. We are now on preparedness and this Enquiry while bringing home to us our various weaknesses and mistakes would also help to strengthen our Defence preparedness and our entire conduct of such operations.