India not to reduce troops: minister - LoC fencing almost complete
SRINAGAR, June 30: Fencing along the 742-kilometre Line of Control (LoC) is almost complete but India's troop strength in the Himalayan state will not be reduced, India's defence minister said on Wednesday.
He also ruled out repealing tough anti-terror laws inside the state, where an anti-Indian insurgency has been raging since 1989. "Completion of fencing is almost over. There may be some patches left," Pranab Mukherjee told reporters at the end of his maiden two-day trip Kashmir after becoming new defence minister.
"I think they (soldiers) have done a very good job. I do hope it will prevent the infiltration and exfiltration (of militants)," he said after inspecting the fencing at the LoC.
When asked by a reporter whether the fencing had been completed with the "tacit approval" of Pakistan, Mr Mukherjee said, "Of course, the ceasefire itself is an indication of moving towards the positive direction. Resumption of talks is also a signal that we are moving in the positive direction."
He added, however: "I would not like to rush to any conclusion right now." India and Pakistan in November agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC, putting an end to daily exchanges of artillery and machine gun fire.
"I hope the ceasefire that began from November last year will continue. It has created an atmosphere," said the minister, flanked by India's army chief General N.C. Vij.
"The peace initiatives which have been taken and the resumption of talks with Pakistan at the official level may defuse the tension," he said, referring to this week's secretary-level talks between the two neighbours in New Delhi. -AFP
