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

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...