Indian Armed Forces Have Freedom To Respond On LoC: Antony

New Delhi, Aug 13, IRNA -- Under attack from opposition parties over his response on the killing of Indian soldiers, Defence Minister A K Antony Monday said the armed forces have the freedom to respond appropriately to a developing situation along the Line of Control with Pakistan. The armed forces have the freedom to respond to a developing situation there (along the LoC) appropriately, he said, replying to questions after the launch of 37,500-ton aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi in Kerala state, pti reported. Antony, however, refused to take questions on the volatile situation on the LoC and frequent violations of ceasefire by the Pakistan Army, saying Parliament is in session and he could not make a statement outside. He also declined to comment on the change of stand over the killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops on August six. With the opposition launching a tirade against him for his statement on the issue in Parliament, the Minister had to retract from it and squarely blamed the Pakistan Army for the brutal incident. He had maintained that his first statement about the involvement of terrorists along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniform in the killing of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch sector was based on information available at that time. When Parliament is in session, I have to first answer to Parliament, he said. On the programs of the Navy, Antony said after much delay, the Defense Ministry has prepared a proposal for more submarines and sent it to Cabinet Committee on Security for clearance. About the much-delayed induction of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, now rechristened INS Vikramaditya, from Russia, he said, I hope we will get the ship by the end of this year. Asked about the hike by the US in the price of howitzer guns, which India wants to buy, after three years of negotiations, Antony said the proposal is still in the negotiation stage. Nothing has been finalized. We have a long way to go, he said. The Minister also said there was no definite proposal yet on starting work on a second indigenous aircraft carrier. One has to wait and not to be impatient, he said. He declined to put a deadline on the induction of the indigenous built submarine INS Arihant but said everything is going as per schedule./end