No troop reduction in J&K: Defence Minister

Mukherjee said review of the developments in J&K was always being undertaken by the armed forces.

Government on Monday ruled out the possibility of any troop reduction in Jammu and Kashmir and said redeployment of forces will be based on the prevailing ground situation in the state.

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"There is no question of demilitarisation in Jammu and Kashmir," Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said after attending a function to commemorate the martyrdom day of Brig Mohammed Usman, the hero of the battle for Naushera in Kashmir in 1947-48.

Replying to questions, Mukherjee said review of the developments in J&K was always being undertaken by the armed forces and redeployment of troops will depend on the ground situation.

Asked if there has been a surge in infiltration from across the border in J&K, Mukherjee said "normally during this period, it (increase in infiltration) happens".

The Defence Minister said terrorists tend to step up their activities whenever there is an improvement in the ground situation or an important national or international event is to take place.

"They (the terrorists) will resort to some sort of action to let the world know that they exist," Mukherjee said while referring to the second Roundtable on Kashmir chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in May this year.

Asked about reports that the Indian army has transported militancy-hit children from J&K to Delhi with the help of an NGO having links with RSS, Mukherjee said the army only sent the children on the request of their parents or relatives.

"It's not involved in any other way".