No Kargil war like situation: Defence Minister

Sithangoli, Aug 23 (UNI) Defence Minister A K Antony today said there is no 'Kargil War' like situation in the India-Pakistan border.

Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of laying the foundation stone for HAL's new manufacturing unit here, he said ''our forces are fully alert on the border and giving a fitting reply whenever Pakistani soldiers are violating 'ceasefire''. ''The situation is under control'', he added.

Mr Antony said the forces on the border have been fully modernised to meet the challenges and there was no need for any apprehensions.

Asked whether his visit to US next month was in connection with the Indo-US nuclear deal, Mr Antony said ''My visit to that country is for continued dialogue on strategic matter''.

He said his ministry wanted HAL to diversify and produce civil aircraft also. ''In this regard paper work is going on and soon an order may be issued,'' he added.

The Defence Minister said Asia's biggest Naval Academy project at Elimale in Kerala, for which Rs 221 crore has already been sanctioned, would be commissioned next year.

The Rs 70 crore project of HAL manufacturing unit, for which he laid the foundation stone, was expected to be completed within 18 months he said, adding the state government has sanctioned 200 acres of land to help future expansion and its turnover might be Rs 60 crore to 70 crore per annum from 2009-10.

UNI MA MSP KK KP1703