Antony says election in Jammu and Kashmir would be held on time
22 Jul 2008, 1638 Hrs

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New Delhi, July 22 (ANI): As the infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control have increased over the past three months, the Central Government has said that elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be held in time and any attempt by terrorists to disrupt the process would be dealt with firmly.

Defence Minister A K Antony said: "The Government and security forces have a single point agenda to ensure that elections in Jammu and Kashmir are held in peaceful and fair manner."

Antony told reporters on the sidelines of an army seminar in New Delhi: "We have reports that more attempts would be made in the next few months in the run up to the elections. No effort would be spared to defeat these attempts of anti-national forces."

The troops have been asked to be pro-active, keeping in mind the human rights, he added.

Antony also said the security experts have held meetings to take stock of the situation and frame a strategy to counter the threat of terrorists.

According to the Army authorities, April and May this year accounted for almost 90 infiltration attempts of which most were foiled, but the Home Ministry officials claimed that nearly 100 terrorists had entered into the Kashmir valley.

Cumulative figures for the last six months have accounted for 161infiltration bids after a dip in the past two years, with most of the attempts being reported from Uri, Machail and Keran sectors in Kashmir, army sources said. (ANI)