MoD denies report on troop movement
15 May 2012 11:25 AM IST
A newspaper published in Pakistan, Express Tribune, had reported on Monday that New Delhi had agreed to a proposal to move troops to peacetime positions and an agreement to that effect was on the cards. The meeting of minds of the two countries apparently took place during the ‘private visit’ of the president of Pakistan, Asaf Ali Zardari, last month, when he also met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
But by Monday afternoon in New Delhi, the defence ministry had decided to issue a rebuttal. In a terse four-line statement, the ministry’s spokesperson, Sitanshu Kar, stated: ‘The report published in Express Tribune, Islamabad edition, dated 14 May 2012, that ‘India may move troops to peace time locations’ is completely incorrect and without any basis. There are no such plans.’
The Express Tribune had also stated quoting unnamed sources, ‘A formal announcement in this regard was likely when the Indian premier visits Islamabad possibly during the later half of the year.’
But by Monday afternoon in New Delhi, the defence ministry had decided to issue a rebuttal. In a terse four-line statement, the ministry’s spokesperson, Sitanshu Kar, stated: ‘The report published in Express Tribune, Islamabad edition, dated 14 May 2012, that ‘India may move troops to peace time locations’ is completely incorrect and without any basis. There are no such plans.’
The Express Tribune had also stated quoting unnamed sources, ‘A formal announcement in this regard was likely when the Indian premier visits Islamabad possibly during the later half of the year.’
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