Author: PTI
Publication: Daily Excelsior
Date: August 13, 2012
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/12aug14/news.htm#2

Fake Indian currency notes are being used by Pakistan-based terror groups for financing their activities in India, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

"As per available information, militants active in India are also funded by their outfits based abroad, particularly in Pakistan, often routed through third countries.

"For the past several years FICN has been a well-known source for terror financing in India," Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply.

He said the Government has taken various measures to check terrorist activities in the country such as augmenting the strength of Central armed police forces, establishment of National Security Guards hubs, strengthening of multi agency centre to function on 24x7 basis for real-time collation and sharing of intelligence with other intelligence and security agencies and effective border management.

"The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has been amended to strengthen the punitive measures to combat terrorism.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been constituted to investigate and prosecute such offences," he said.

In reply to another query on modernisation of armed forces, Antony said the Defence Acquisition Council has accorded approvals to proposals worth about Rs 48,000 in the present fiscal.

Stressing that India is committed to resolve all outstanding matters with Pakistan bilaterally and peacefully, the Government today said the issue of illegal and forcible occupation of areas in Jammu and Kashmir by the neighbouring nation remains to be resolved.

"A part of the territory of the State (JK) is under illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan. The issue that remains to be resolved in JK is the vacation by Pakistan of the area under its illegal occupation," Antony said

On demilitarisation of Siachen glacier, he said, "The area of Siachen glacier is an integral part of India. Government’s principled and consistent position is that the entire State of JK is an integral part of the Indian Union."

Antony said India remains committed to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Shimla agreement and Lahore Declaration.

On Ceasefire Line (CFL) between the two nations, he said, "The CFL has to be interpreted in the light of the Karachi Agreement 1949 and the Shimla Agreement 1972. The LC is interpreted to run northwards to glacier from point NJ 9842 and as per the principles of International Law along the watershed formation by the Saltoro Range."

On wrong depiction of Indian borders in international maps, Antony said as and when any map depicting Indian borders inaccurately is brought to the notice of the Government, the matter is taken up with the publisher through Indian Missions concerned, besides impressing upon them that distortion or discrepancies should not be repeated.

"The cartographic aggression on the basis of incorrect delineation was taken up with the US Government in 1983. Besides, the position of Government of India has also been conveyed to the Government of Pakistan through military and diplomatic channels," he said.

Meanwhile, five cases of spying by Pakistani intelligence agencies have been registered in last three years and a total 12 people, including eight service personnel, were arrested in this regard, Antony said.

"A total of five cases pertaining to alleged spying activities have been registered during the last three years, which were connected with intelligence agencies of Pakistan," he said.

In written reply, he said, "A total of eight service personnel, one civil defence employee and three ex-servicemen were arrested. One service personnel has been convicted and sentenced."

On steps taken to strengthen intelligence mechanism to effectively check spying activities, Antony told the House that appropriate measures have been put in place to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Replying to a question on hacking of confidential naval information by Chinese hackers, the Defence Minister said, "There were intelligence reports in November 2011 about probable compromise of computers of Eastern Naval Command based in Visakhapatnam."

The matter has been investigated and appropriate steps have been taken to strengthen security of network, he said, adding that hacking is a constant and real threat worldwide in the cyber domain.

To a question on recruitment irregularities in defence forces, Antony said, "CBI has registered a case relating to alleged receipt of illegal gratification in the recruitment of staff of various groups ‘C’ posts in the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the case is under investigation."