NEW DELHI, June 3:
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today asserted that security forces are on high alert to thwart any attempt of terrorists to infiltrate in Jammu and Kashmir from across the border.
Talking to reporters here Mr Parrikar said, ” We are on alert for stopping infiltration.” To a question what action plans the Government has put in place to stop infiltration, he said, “Action plans are not discussed in front of TV cameras. Our plans are visible on the ground.”
Mr Parrikar said, “You have seen one of our action plans where systematic special forces were used quickly, eliminating 4 people who were trying to infiltrate.
When asked about his statement in which he talked about “neutralizing terrorists through terrorists”, that attracted sharp reactions from across the border, Mr Parrikar mocked Pakistan by using a Hindi phrase.
When asked in Hindi, “Aapkay ek bayaan say Pakistan ko bohat mirchi lagii lagta hai, Mr Parrikar said, ” I wont reply on Pakistan reaction,” but quickly added, ” par mirchi toh Andhra-vaali lagi hai (they are hurt by hot Andhra Chilli).
Asked about military sales to Pakistan by the US, whose Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter is currently on a three-day visit to India, the Defence Minister said, “In general, any arms-sale to Pakistan is a matter of concern to India.”
Parrikar expressed concern over arms sale to Pakistan, ahead of his meeting with visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.
“I will not comment on specifics but any arms sale to Pakistan is a concern to India,” he said.
He was replying to a question about continued American sale of arms to Pakistan. He was also asked if this issue would be raised during his meeting with Carter later in the evening.
The US has given military hardware, including F-16 fighter planes, to Pakistan amounting to a whopping USD 5.4 billion since the 9/11 terror attacks, according to a latest Congressional report.
Sale of F-16 combat aircraft and related equipment account for nearly half of this.
The military hardware given to Pakistan in the 10-year framework has been argued as supplies needed by Islamabad for capacity building to fight terrorists in its border areas.
But most of the arms and equipment supplied to Pakistan have been those which could be used for conventional war with India. (Agencies)
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