PHOTO: PTI/ VIJAY KUMAR JOSHI

WORD OF COMFORT: Defence Minister A.K. Antony with tsunami-affected people at Campbell Bay in Andaman Islands on Sunday . _

Car Nicobar: Ruling out any cut in force levels in Jammu and Kashmir at present, Defence Minister A K Antony said here on Sunday that any troop reduction would depend on the threat levels coming down and security objectives and concerns being met with.

``I dream of returning the soliders back to the barracks. But, for this we have to be convinced that the threat levels are down. At such an appropriate time, we can consider pulling back troops."

``Threat is still there. Terrorist camps are still being run across the Line of Control,'' he told journalists after a security review of the country's island territories, in the face of increasing threats of terrorist strikes on the high seas.

The Minister's remarks come in the wake of recent threats by the Congress' coalition partner, the PDP, threatening to pull out from the ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, if its demand for troop pullout from the State was not met with.

Infiltration

Referring to such emerging situations, Mr. Antony, on a two- day visit here, said though infiltration levels from across the LoC had stabilised, terrorists were now looking at infiltration from sea lanes and from routes in Bangladesh and Nepal to sneak into India.

Asked if the Government of India was convinced that it could do business with a military-cum-civilian government in Pakistan, he said: ``all India wanted was positive steps on the ground from Pakistan of its promises to root out terrorist infrastructure.''

Mr. Antony said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was constantly being monitored at the highest-level and a watch would be kept on the infiltration index in the coming months when snow melts and infiltration routes become accessible.

But, he made it clear that any decision on troop pullout or forces reduction would be taken only after assessments made by the armed forces and intelligence agencies.

``Situation forced us to send troops to the State. They will remain there as long as the situation warrants,'' he said.

On Sunday, the Minister undertook a visit to the southernmost tip of the country, the Campbell Bay, which is just 75 nautical miles from Sumatra in Indonesia, to take stock of the post-tsunami rehabilitation work. He received a number of complaints about relief not still reaching some of the affected families.

Inter-island connectivity

In his interaction with the local people and tribals, the Minister said the Centre was chalking out plans to increase inter-island connectivity, as also allowing ferry links with places in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

— PTI

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