Expressing concern over “unusual ceasefire” violations in the past few months, Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday blamed Pakistan for aiding and abetting infiltration attempts at the line of Control (loC).
His strong remarks indicated that the proposed talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations(DGMO) of India and Pakistan, to bring down the tension on the loC, will not take place in near future. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif had announced in New York on September 29 that the two DGMOs will meet to maintain peace at the loC.
Reacting for the first time since a major infiltration bid in the Keran sector in North Kashmir earlier this month and terrorist attack on an Army camp in Samba near Jammu, Antony also questioned Pakistan’s sincerity to improve ties with India in this backdrop.
He said, “Inspite of preventing the infiltrators or minimising infiltration attempts, still these attempts are going on increasing. This means this is going on with the support of elements across the border. I am sure that nothing can happen there without the knowledge and tacit or sometimes open support of Pakistan,” he told reporters here on the sidelines of a seminar.
Antony said there have been “unusual developments” of ceasefire violations on the International Border also this year. “So far, ceasefire violations were taking place only on loC. Suddenly, there is a series of ceasefire violations on the international border. That is more a matter of serious concern,” he said.
When asked if the Border Defence Co-Operation Agreement(BDCA) signed between India and China during Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to Beijing will prevent Depsang Valley like face-off, Antony further said that , “I am not a prophet or an astrologer. I cannot say anything that will happen for years to come. I cannot say that.”
No deadline for rafale aircrafts
Antony refrained from setting a deadline for conclusion of the ` 45,000-crore deal to procure 126 Rafale combat aircraft from French manufacturer Dassault for IAF. He said contract negotiations between the defence ministry and Dassault are going on and “I or the government cannot interfere with it. How can I set a deadlineIJ”
Chopper deal: 21 days to reply
Moving towards scrapping the `3,600-crore controversial VVIP helicopter deal, Antony said AgustaWestland has “violated the contract” and the Government has issued a final show-cause notice to the company to “protect our interests” and given them 21 days to reply, the notice was issued on October 21, by the Defence Ministry.