Defence Minister A K Antony marks anniversary of Kargil War

Amid demands by the armed forces for a war memorial in Delhi, Defence Minister A K Antony on Thursday said things were progressing in a "comfortable" manner on the issue.

"I can tell you that things are now progressing very well. Things are progressing very well," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function to pay homage to the martyrs of defence forces on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Hailing the sacrifice made by jawans and officers of the armed forces, the defence minister said, "It is a historic day for the country as a whole. Today we are paying homage to the sacrifice made by our jawans and officers to protect the honour of the country."

Asked when a final decision will be taken on the war memorial, he said, "Don't ask about the time limit. Things are progressing in a comfortable manner."

The three defence services have been raising the demand for their own war memorial in the capital to honour their men who made the sacrifice in various wars, conflicts and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East.

Interacting with reporters after the function, the defence minister said he will undertake a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir beginning on Friday and tour several forward areas there.

"Mainly my purpose is to go to forward areas to meet our jawans and officers and see the situation there," he said, adding that he will be meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as well.

The defence minister will be accompanied by the Army chief and Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma. He will also head a meeting of the Unified Headquarters in Srinagar.

On the issue of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state, Antony refused to make any comment.

"I don't want to say anything in public on this issue," he said when asked whether it will be discussed during his meeting with Abdullah and senior state officials.