New Delhi, Aug 13: Government today denied in the Rajya Sabha that Pakistani troops were in occupation of an Indian peak in northern Drass sector and said there were no reports of any "unusual movement" by them along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Clarifying this in the house, Defence Minister George Fernandes said firing along the LoC was an on going phenomenon.

He said adequate military measures were in place to ensure necessary surveillance to maintain sanctity of the LoC.

The minister said there were no reports available with the government that arms and ammunition of the Indian Army were being diverted to terrorist outfits by para-military forces. In written replies to a spate of questions on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Fernandes said army had undertaken a selective fencing along some portions of LoC to check infiltration.

He said of the 778-km-long LoC, a total of 523-km was being fenced.

Of this, 223-km would be in Poonch-Rajouri-Nowshera-Sunderbani sector of south Pir Panjal range, he said adding 95-km stretch was expected to be fenced by mid-2004.

Bureau Report