Army not to cut down forces in J and K: Gen V K Singh

New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) On a day Home Secretary G KPillai hinted at a 25 per cent reduction in security forces''strength in Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief General V K Singhtoday said they do not not feel the need to "cut down"their forces in the state.

He also said it will be ensured that "extra pressure"is not put on his "already-stretched" deployments.

"We have not yet felt that we have to cut down ourforces. If they want to cut down para-military and policeforces, I won''t say anything...

"So when that is done, it will be ensured that extrapressure is not brought on our already-stretched deploymentsthere," Singh told a press conference on the eve of Army Day.

Maintaining that Army was not aware of any troopreduction plans, the Army chief said he was sure that any stepin this direction would be taken in consultation with theUnified Command headquarters operating in the state.

The security forces operating in the state work undera Unified Command, which is headed by the State ChiefMinister.

He was responding to a question on Pillai''s statementand whether the Army felt that the situation had improved toan extent the that the troops'' presence could be reduced.

Declining to make any direct comments on Pillai''sremarks, Singh said the Army had deployed its troops in thestate as per the requirements on the Line of Control and otherareas.

"Same way in the hinterland, some Army columns aredeployed to maintain peace and counter terrorism. We have notyet felt that we have cut to down our forces. If they want tocut down paramilitary or police forces, I won''t say anything,"he added. (More) PTI AJD