ELECTION 99
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Kargil intrusions occurred in April: Fernandes

Defence Minister George Fernandes said the intrusions backed by Pakistan in the Kargil sector took place in April end this year and that the government swung into action as soon as it came to know about it.

Addressing an election meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Dilip Singh Bhuria in Jhabua constituency last night, he said there was enough evidence to establish this. He described as baseless the Congress's charge that the intrusions began last September and said many items of evidence, including the statements of Pakistani soldiers arrested on the border, were available to prove when the intrusions occurred.

Referring to the charge about the shortage of weapons, Fernandes alleged that it was a previous government that had reduced the defence budget by 30 per cent during the eighth five-year plan. While the demand was for Rs 1339.81 billion, only 1050 billion was approved between 1992 and 1997, he said.

Tell us what you think of this report