Defence Ministry discusses infiltration issue with Army HQs

Amid questions over the Keran incident, the Defence Ministry today said it has discussed with the Army Headquarters the details of the infiltration of such a large group of terrorists who kept the force engaged for 15 days there.
A high-level meeting between the Defence Ministry and the Army Headquarters was held in which details of the conduct of the operations were discussed, Defence Ministry sources said here.
The representatives of the Directorate General of Military Operations, which looks after such large-scale operations, were present during the meeting, the sources said.
Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh had also briefed Defence Minister A K Antony on the issue yesterday in an hour-long meeting with him at the Army Research and Referral Hospital here.

Antony has been getting regular updates from the Ministry on the incident where 35-40 terrorists infiltrated on September 24 in Keran sector but only eight could be killed in the operation that got over on October 8.
Questions have been raised over the operations by the local formation and the senior commanders there as several loopholes have been being cited in their conduct.

The Army is also likely to order an inquiry into the operations to find out if there was any mistake committed by the troops and commanders there.
The four-day Army Commanders' Conference starting October 21 is also expected to discuss various aspects of the entire operation.

The Army is also expected to discuss the need for evolving strategies to tackle such infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control and the International Border.
The level of infiltration is expected to go up in the near future with the proposed withdrawal of American and NATO troops from Afghanistan.
The meeting is also expected to discuss growing activities of Pakistan Army special forces in the border areas and their increasing attempts to infiltrate and attack Indian Army patrols.