Defence ministry dismisses troop build-up report

The defence ministry was on Tuesday dismissive about a media report that the Army moved two units towards Delhi in January without informing the government, saying such exercises are conducted from time to time.

"The points raised in the report have already been clarified by the Army. Such exercises are conducted by the Army from time to time," defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said in a statement.

He also dubbed the report as "baseless and incorrect".

According to a newspaper report, the central intelligence agencies reported that on the night of January 16, an unexpected -- and non-notified -- movement by a key military unit from the mechanised infantry based in Hisar had taken place in the direction of the capital.

Another unit -- identified as a large element of the 50th Para Brigade based at Agra -- was also moving towards Delhi, the report said.

According to the report, the Army had said that the exercise was to check effectiveness in fog.