NEW DELHI, Oct 21: Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes on Sunday warned of “specific action” against Islamic insurgent groups in held Kashmir.

Fernandes, speaking to the Press Trust of India on board a military flight, did not elaborate.

“We are not sticking to only one option and we have some more plans too. I have discussed the operations with senior army commanders and we will make things public soon,” the defence minister warned.

“Hot pursuit is not action specific and is only a general statement. What we have been discussing is specific action,” he said in a direct reference to some local demands that Indian troops attack alleged militant camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Fernandes, an outspoken politician, said some steps were already underway against militants in Kashmir.

“Already steps in this direction have been taken and we hope to see the implementation of the specific action plan soon,” he said.

Fernandes denied allegations in some quarters here that Indian forces had recently crossed into Pakistani territory to try to dismantle camps of alleged cross-border militants.

“Some vested interests in the country had claimed that our troops had crossed over the Line of Control,” he said of the imaginary line which divides the Indian and Pakistani zones of partitioned Kashmir.

India and Pakistan fought their most fierce artillery dual in eight months in the run up to a trip here by US Secretary of State Collin Powell last week.—AFP

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