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Coup an internal matter of Pakistan: Fernandes

Defence Minister George Fernandes today described the developments in Pakistan where the army has taken over the reins as the ''internal matter of Islamabad'' and said there was no high alert on the Indian borders.

Replying to questions, the minister said the Line of Control in Kargil sector would be looked after with both physical presence of troops as well as aerial surveillance. ''There is no shortage of equipment,'' he said.

Asked about the possibility of an increase in budgetary allocation for defence, especially for defence production, Fernandes said there had been a substantial hike in the past two budgets.

He said the armed forces had suffered deprivation because the defence budget was inadequate in the past almost a decade. ''We are undoing the situation, but it will take some time,'' he said.

UNI

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