Experts group to implement Kargil report: Fernandes

ON-BOARD SPECIAL IAF PLANE, MARCH 12. In the first move to follow up the recommendations of the Subrahmanyam Committee which probed the Kargil intrusions, the Government today said an experts' group would be formed to draw up policies and programmes on Intelligence gathering based on the panel's suggestions.

``The group, whose shape is likely to be determined next week, will look into ways and means for better Intelligence gathering, co-ordination between various agencies and make available accurate Intelligence to armed forces,'' the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, told PTI on way back from forward posts in the northern sector.

He said the formation of the group would be the first step towards translating the committee's recommendations into action. However, he said the Joint Intelligence Committee would continue to function and the proposed group would be confined to the objectives set out by the committee.

Another major recommendation was about the modernisation of the armed forces which, he said, was being carried out. ``It is absolutely necessary that we modernise our armed forces. Most of the resources allocated in the budget would be spent on modernisation,'' he added.

He said the suggestions to improve the security network in the Kargil sector had also been taken note of and some of them were under implementation.

``Several countries have raised their eyebrows on the increase in our defence budget. We are not going to attack anyone. We just want our armed forces to keep pace with the modern scientific and technological developments,'' he said.

Mr. Fernandes laid the foundation stone for a high-tech hospital here which would cater to the immediate medical aid for troops stationed at Siachen. ``My primary aim is to provide all help to the troops, who sustain wounds due to enemy shelling or environment,'' he said.

The Defence Minister was on a two-day visit to forward posts in the northern sector despite regular firing by Pakistanis recently.

- PTI

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