Terrorist attacks in J-K to thwart elections: Antony

Bangalore, June 14 : Union Defence Minister AK Antony on Saturday said that the increased attack in Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists was to destabilise ensuing election process and peace in the valley.

Talking to media after inaugurating the new complex of the Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) here today the Defence Minister has said that according to intelligence reports more such attempt might be expected to destabilse the peace in Kashmir Valley.

However he said the forces were fully geared up to face the situation.

On the proposed space cell as defence shield from missiles he said it was aimed at protecting from many countries not just from China. On the issue of Indian Air force finding fault with Indian Light Combat aircraft Tejus, he denied the reports and said it was not correct.

Earlier in the day, Antony cautioned defence scientists and the Armed Forces to reduce their over-dependence on foreign countries and suppliers for 'cutting edge technologies'.

He further added that such a tendency may land the country and the Armed Forces in deep trouble in crucial times in the form of import restrictions, technology denial or even undue and unjustified delay in the delivery of already contracted systems or components.'

Antony said the government will give all support to the scientists to achieve self-reliance in cutting edge technologies for the Armed Forces. DARE, formerly known as Advanced System Integration and Evaluation Organisation (ASIEO) was formed in 1986 under the leadership of Dr KG Narayanan with a team of four scientists drawn from LRDE and DRDL and a couple of officers from Indian Air Force.

It has achieved many milestones in the last two decades including equipping several squadrons of various types of IAF aircraft with Electronic Protection and Jamming System. he Defence Minister asked DRDO scientists to 'devise ways and means to utilise modern technology to further reduce the stress on our troops'. While the government will not allow resources to be a constraint, it must be ensured that the various resources - human, financial, technological are not frittered away. By Kestur Vasuki

ANI