India’s restraint can’t be taken for granted,army will retaliate: A K Antony

He,however,remained evasive on questions by members including Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley as to whether talks will be held with Pakistan at the top political level as there are plans for a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York next month.

Making a suo motu statement on the August 6 killing of five Indian soldiers in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir,Antony said,”Naturally,this incident will have consequences on our behaviour on the LoC and for our relations with Pakistan.

“Our restraint should not be taken for granted nor should the capacity of our armed forces and resolve of the government to uphold the sanctity of the LoC ever be doubted.”

With members asking if India would be mute spectator to Pakistan’s “aggression” and “undeclared war”,he said,”Army has mobilised its resources to effectively and strongly retaliate to every ceasefire violation on the LoC. They will do everything to ensure the sanctity of the LoC and the nation”.

The Defence Minister tried to defend his initial controversial statement in Parliament that “20 heavily armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniform” were responsible for the killing,saying that was based on the information available at that time.

“At 2 O’clock,the incident took place. There was some confusion in Kashmir. It is there. I won’t say here. That won’t help us. They were in doubt. I don’t want to say in detail,” he said.