The Ministry of Defence has not taken any decision on a CBI inquiry into the issues raised in the Army's Report on covert actions undertaken by the special unit set up by former army chief General VK Singh, including the alleged attempt to destabilize the Jammu and Kashmir government headed by Omar Abdullah.
The Ministry of Defence, in an official statement released today, said that it has received a report from the Army Headquarters on certain issues relating to one of its outfits as reported by a section of the media.
The Ministry of Defence said that the report impinges on matters of national security and, as such, "the government will take a decision and further actions after a careful examination of the report". The government has in place measures to prevent any such undesirable activities, the statement added.
Commenting on the report, the External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Friday said that this is a matter of India's security and the Defence Minister would examine it with all seriousness.
"It is very serious and this is a very worrisome thing. It is not a matter of any individual; this is a matter of our security, security agencies and services. We hold the army in this country in the greatest repute, and to have such questions raised about the internal functioning of the army, is something we take very seriously. Defense Minister will examine it with all seriousness and come up with a position the government will take," he told media here today.
According to media reports, the 'top secret' report was submitted on March 11 this year and army chief General Bikram Singh met Defence Minister A.K. Antony to brief him on the implications of the report.
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Media reports claimed that General V. K. Singh set up a special unit in the army headquarters which, among other covert activities, tried to topple the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
The report claims that a secret Board of Officers which conducted the inquiry has recommended that the CBI should look into the matter.
Media report also claims that the unit set up by General V K Singh called the Technical Services Division (TSD), a part of Military Intelligence Directorate, tried to block General Bikram Singh's promotion.
The report said that the recommendation has been examined by the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Defence.
The report was prepared by a Board of Officers (BOO) formed by General Bikram Singh, which included the Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia which reviewed the functioning of the top secret unit set up under his predecessor.