541 attempts made to infiltrate into J&K in last 2 years: Govt

New Delhi: In the last two years, there have been 541 attempts to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir while 65 terrorists were killed in 2013 in encounters with the Indian Army, Defence Minister AK Antony informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

"In 2012 and 2013, there have been 541 infiltration attempts in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2013, 65 terrorists were killed in J and K in encounters with the Indian Army," he said in a written reply. "No Pakistani soldier was apprehended on the LoC in 2013. However, on February 14, last year, one Pakistan Army soldier was killed while intruding across the LoC in the Naushera sector," the Defence Minister said. To a query on AgustaWestland chopper scam, he said the government has scrapped the VVIP chopper deal with effect from January 1 on grounds of breach of pre-integrity pact. "No decision has been taken till date to debar the said company," the Minister said. Replying to another query, Antony said in last five years, three MiG-29 combat aircraft have met with accidents and these mishaps have been investigated by the IAF. On the issue of large number of services personnel not being able to cast their votes, Antony said, "The matter relating to the further facilitation of voting by defence personnel has been taken up with the Election Commission of India." On setting up of a national war memorial, the Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh said a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Antony has recommended its construction at the India Gate hexagon. "The Urban Development Ministry is processing the recommendations for approval by the competent authority," he said.