New Delhi: Defence minister A.K. Antony’s statement on the Poonch killings of Indian Army soldiers made on Tuesday before Parliament — in which he had said that some of the attackers were “dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms” — may have been drafted by senior officials of his ministry in consultation with the ministry of external affairs (MEA), the national security adviser (NSA) and the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO).
Antony’s statement - which did not directly implicate the Pakistan Army - could have been made after much thought in top echelons of the government, including the MEA and NSA, since a direct accusation against the Pakistan Army would have made the continuation of the peace dialogue with Pakistan untenable and impossible.
Sources also indicated on Wednesday that the Army may have been advised by the government initially not to issue any press statement before the defence minister spoke in Parliament. The original Army statement was issued after clearance by the Udhampur-based Northern Command before Antony spoke in Parliament. There was no confirmation of any enquiry in the matter now that the issue has rocked Parliament.
The original statement of the Army — issued from Jammu on Tuesday — had directly blamed the Pakistan Army and had clearly mentioned that its soldiers were ambushed by “20 heavily armed terrorists along with soldiers of Pakistan Army”. However, the Army later said the phrase “armed terrorists along with soldiers of the Pakistan Army” was to be amended to “armed terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms”.
The amended statement was in line with the defence minister’s statement, setting off the political storm in Parliament on Wednesday. It also raised questions on whether the Army had been pressurised in any way by the government to amend the statement.
Meanwhile, the Army chief ’s visit to J&K on Wednesday comes as a morale-booster for Indian troops, even as the Line of Control (LoC) is expected to witness more incidents of firing between the two armies. Top Army sources had earlier maintained that the Indian Army troops would retaliate and “hit back” if fired upon.
Antony ambushed
The Manmohan Singh government came under heavy attack from a furious Opposition in Parliament on Wednesday over the divergence between the initial Army statement on Tuesday — that directly blamed the Pakistan Army for the ambush and killing of five Indian soldiers in Poonch — and defence minister A.K. Antony’s statement in Parliament later that day in which he said that some of the attackers were “dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms”.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj attacked the defence minister for giving a “clean chit” to the Pakistan Army, and demanded that he apologise to the entire country.
A breach of privilege notice against Antony was also moved in the Lok Sabha — for “misleading the House” — by senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha. Both Houses faced adjournments over the issue. Speculation was rife that Antony’s statement was drafted by senior officials of the defence ministry, possibly in consultation with the external affairs ministry and the national security adviser.
Speculation was also rife that Antony’s statement was made after much thought at top levels of the government, including the MEA and NSA, as a direct accusation against the Pakistan Army would have made continuation of the peace dialogue with that country and any forthcoming meeting between the Indian and Pakistani PMs untenable. The Cabinet Committee on Security is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the fallout arising from the Poonch incident.
Accusing the defence minister of making a “false” statement on the Poonch killings, senior BJP leader L.K. Advani said he should apologise as his remarks are intended to “exonerate” Pakistan as the government wanted to continue talks.
It is also being speculated that the Army may have been told by the Centre initially not to issue any press statement before the defence minister spoke in Parliament. The original Army statement was issued after securing clearance from the Northern Command based in Udhampur before Antony spoke in Parliament.
Antony, meanwhile, tried to defend himself in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, saying: “As a defence minister, I have to be careful about what I say. I have to investigate all the facts in detail. The Army Chief is in Jammu. He will brief me and I will pass on the details to you.” He also added that “We made the statement on the basis of whatever information was available to us. We will share more information as and when we get it, and I will brief Parliament on it.” It is learnt that the minister have spoken to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the matter.
The Lok Sabha witnessed turmoil on Wednesday and two adjournments over Antony’s remarks on Tuesday’s killings.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj demanded that the PM, who was present in the House, stand up and say it was the Pakistan Army that was responsible for Tuesday’s incident that left five Indian Army jawans dead.
The Rajya Sabha too witnessed uproar and three adjournments in the pre-lunch session.
The BJP accused Antony of “giving an escape route to Pakistan” with his statement. There were indications on Wednesday that the soldiers’ killings would be “factored in” by the government while deciding engagements with Pakistan.
Among the immediate ones are a decision on resumption of the composite dialogue between the two countries.
In September, a meeting between Manmohan Singh and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif is on the anvil on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session.