Reports of terrorists infiltrating via sea routes

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) There are reports of terrorists of various 'tanzeems' being imparted training and likelihood of their infiltration through sea routes, Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Lok Sabha today.

''The intelligence agencies have warned about the possibility of terrorists trying to infiltrate the sea routes to target our offshore installations,'' Mr Antony said during Question Hour.

He said the steps being taken to enhance coastal security included vessel monitoring system, regular aerial surveillance and maritime patrolling along the coast, and establishment of coastal police stations in the littoral states.

X X X INDO-PAK: No incident of shelling has been reported on Indo-Pak international border after declaration of ceasefire in November 2003.

The ceasefire has been upheld except for some minor aberations, Mr Antony said.

Three instances of violation by Pak Rangers on the international border-- August 15, September 12 and October 22 last year-- were reported. The violations were in Jammu and Rajasthan areas.

Protest notes was lodged with Pak Rangers and the matter was also taken up during the Indo-Pak bi-annual meeting at Jalandhar on February 14-17.

X X X ALLIANCE AIRLINES: There is no proposal to wind up the Alliance Airlines subsidiary of the Indian Airlines, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said.

X X X AIRLINES PERMIT: Eight applications for grant of scheduled airlines operators permit are pending with the government.

The proposals are under review from the stand point of financial viability and soundness of business plan.

X X X INDIAN AIRLINES: Indian Airlines has plans to convert five B-737 aircraft operated by Alliance Air into freight aircraft.

The five aircraft are being considered for deployment under hub and spoke pattern with Nagpur as hub, and Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota and Chennai (via Bangalore and Hyderabad) as originating stations, Mr Patel said.

X X X SICK PSUs: As many as 56 central public sector units had been referred to the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises till February 28, Heavy Industry Minister Santosh Mohan Dev said.

UNI