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Fernandes reviews situation in Akhnoor, says there was no security lapse

July 23, 2003 10:19 IST
Last Updated: July 23, 2003 13:36 IST


Defence Minister George Fernandes on Wednesday said Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba could be behind Tuesday's terrorist attack on an army camp in Tanda, near Jammu, in which a Brigadier was among eight army personnel killed.

Twelve personnel were injured in the incident, which is turning out to be a major embarrassment for the army.

However, after reviewing the situation at the army camp in the Akhnoor sector, Fernandes insisted there was no security lapse on the part of the armed forces.

Defence sources said the minister arrived at the army camp in Tanda on Wednesday morning and was briefed by Army Chief General N C Vij about Tuesday's suicide attack in which Northern Command chief Lt Gen Hari Prasad, 16 Corps commander Lt Gen T P S Brar, two major generals and two colonels were among the injured.

During his 45-minute stay, Fernandes reviewed the security around the camp.

Fernandes also visited the nearby military hospital and interacted with the injured jawans, the sources said.

"We suspect the involvement of the Lashkar-E-Tayiba in this incident... they have owned up through a shadow outfit," the defence minister said.

After taking stock of security situation at the army camp in Tanda, Fernandes told reporters in Jammu, "Our jawans did a good job by killing three militants, sent by Pakistan. There were no security lapses."

He said the attack was aimed at derailing the peace process between India and Pakistan.

Fernandes, who earlier enquired about the condition of the injured army personnel, said they had suffered minor injuries and were hale and hearty.

Army Chief General N C Vij, Northern Command chief Lt Gen Hari Prasad and 16 Corps Commander T P S Brar, were present when Fernandes spoke to the reporters.

More reports from Jammu and Kashmir


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Number of User Comments: 20




Sub: love for the motherlend - politician's style

Do you know that none of the children of our central cabinet ministers/ state chief ministers who are occupying & thoroughly enjoying the power are ...


Posted by kksharma





Sub: Reviewing is not going to help.

Georgie, Indians want you, Lalji and Atal, together, to do something about this terrorism problem whereby an Indian anywhere does not have to lower his ...


Posted by chanakya





Sub: No Security Lapse oops!!!

Dear Defence Minister, Stop publicity campaigns like visiting siachin,flying Sukoi etc and give serious thought to these things, Killing 3 millitants cannot outweigh or cover-up ...


Posted by shimesh





Sub: What next Mr. Fernandes??

Dear Mr. Fernandes Are you waiting for another attack on our parliament? Do you think that the life of a Jawan is less important than ...


Posted by aditya





Sub: What next Mr. George Fernandes

How long you will keep blaming on Pakistan and related terrorist groups? What is yours moral responsibility? Why doesn’t India take some strong action agaist ...


Posted by Pradip Khare




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