Indo-Pak border under control: A K Antony

{image-A K Antony_23082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Sithangoli (Kerala), Aug 23: Defence Minister A K Antony on Saturday, Aug 23 said that there is no 'Kargil War' like situation on the India-Pakistan border and the situation is well under control.

Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of laying foundation stone for HAL's new Manufacturing Unit here, he said that "there is no Kargil War like situation in the border and our force is fully alert and giving fitting reply whenever Pakistan soldiers firing violating 'cease fire'. He said that the force in the border has been fully modernised to meet the challenges and there is no need to have any apprehensions.

When asked whether his next month's visit to US was in connection with Indo-US nuclear deal, Mr Antony said that "my visit was not concerned with it. It is for continued dialogue on strategic matter.

He said that his ministry want HAL to diversify itself and produce Civil aircraft also. "In this regard paper work is going on and soon order may be issued in this regard." "My dream was HAL should go for producing Civil aircraft also", he added.

He said that the Asia's biggest Naval Academy project in Elimale in Kerala, which was lingering for the last 21 years, would be commissioned next year and Rs 221 Crore has already been sanctioned for the purpose.

He said that the Rs 70 Crore project of HAL manufacturing unit for which he laid foundation stone on Saturday, Aug 23 was expected to be completed within 18 months. The state government has sanctioned 200 acres of land to help future expansion as well. The new unit turnover may be Rs 60 Crore to 70 crore per annum from 2009-10.

UNI