Antony to make statement on LoC soldiers' killing in parliament

New Delhi, Aug 8: Defence Minister A.K. Antony is expected to make a fresh statement in parliament over the killing of five soldiers on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir two days ago, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla said Thursday.

Antony, who is under attack from the opposition for his earlier statement over the killing of Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, is expected to make the fresh statement at noon.

"Defence minister may give a statement in parliament at noon on the soldiers' killing. The Army chief has gone to the spot and has come back. He will brief the defence minister about the incident," Shukla told reporters here.

Shukla said that based on the information provided by the army chief, Antony will share the same with the parliament.

Defending Antony, Shukla said: "The opposition was (Tuesday) demanding a statement on the incident, saying they won't let the house function before the minister briefs them. He (Antony) gave whatever information he had at that time."

Antony Tuesday told parliament that "20 heavily armed terrorists along with persons in Pakistan Army uniform" were responsible for the killings near the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

An earlier Defence Ministry statement - which was withdrawn later - stated that the ambush was carried out by a Pakistani Border Action Team. It also said that the Pakistan Army was involved in the attack. Pakistani Border Action Teams comprise Pakistani Army regulars and militants.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members disrupted parliament Wednesday, saying Antony blamed "terrorists" and people "in military uniform" for the early Tuesday ambush while an earlier army statement placed the blame on the Pakistan Army.

The BJP said Antony should apologise to the country for having given incorrect information and New Delhi should not hold talks with Islamabad.

IANS