Indo-Pak relations: LoC tension down but we are watching, says Antony

Though tensions along the LoC have been allayed between India and Pakistan, the Defence Ministry has emphasised that relations with Pakistan should not be normalised in haste.

Defence Minister A K Antony advocated a 'wait and watch' approach and said vigilance could not be lowered.

"After the second round of DGMO-level talks, tension along the LoC has reduced. But we cannot lower our guard and we have to be vigilant 24x7. We have to take all precautions to face any eventuality and we are advising everybody not to be hasty about the normalisation. We wait and watch and then move forward. That is our approach," he told reporters here.

Tension along the LoC had flared up on January 8 after the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers, Lance Naiks Hemraj and Sudhakar Singh, in the Mendhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir on January 8.

Antony also dismissed the Pakistan Army's claim in complaints to the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) that several of its troops have been beheaded by the Indian Army in the last 15 years.

"Totally baseless," he said. Reports had said yesterday that the Pakistan Army has filed complaints with UNMOGIP on the issue following which the Indian Army questioned the relevance of the UN body after the signing of the 1972 Simla agreement.

"Since the 1972 Simla Agreement, the relevance of UNMOGIP itself remains questionable," Army spokesperson Colonel J Dahiya had said.

On reports that China was building three dams on the Brahmaputra river, Antony said, "We have not yet received the factual position. So, my reaction at this time would be premature. We will wait for the details and then the government will take a considered view."

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