SRINAGAR, Oct 23 — Defence Minister George Fernandes has said that infiltration of armed militants along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir has been on the increase. He ruled out any repeat of Kargil-like situation as the LoC is adequatetly manned by troops.

Replying to questions of mediapersons here this afternoon, Mr Fernandes said that there was no tension along the LoC with China. There was no threat from Pakistan, in view of the reports of deployment of army divisions along the borders with India.

He pointed out that killing of more militants in encounters with the security forces on the borders as well as in the state indicated that there was “more infiltration”. He held that the situation along the borders has been fluctuating from time to time with varying degrees of infiltration and firing or shelling from across the border.

Ruling out the possibility of Kargil or Kargil-like situation, the minister said that intrusion in Kargil last year took place as many areas in the region remained unmanned in the period between 1972 and 1999. These areas have now been manned by troops. He said that the troops were also manning border areas of Poonch and Kupwara districts in the state.

Reiterating his stand on the process of dialogue for solution of problems like Kashmir, as referred to by the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen S. Padmanabhan, during his Kashmir visit early this month, the minister held that negotiations were the only solution. But, Pakistan did not want the talks to go ahead in a positive direction, he added.

Reacting to the demand of unilateral ceasefire by the state unit of the CPM, he said that troops in Kashmir were only engaged in a retaliatory action.

Meanwhile, Mr Fernandes said appropriate measures would be initiated for giving preference to products manufactured by entrepreneurs of Jammu and Kashmir to meet the requirements of army units in the state.

Inaugurating a Buyer-Seller Meet, the first of its kind in the valley and second in Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister asked industry to raise standards as no compromise would be made on quality.

He said the Army was seized of the recommendations of the Subramanium Committee Report on Kargil that inter-alia dwells on procurement also. He said a four-member ministerial committee will meet soon at New Delhi to take stock of the report’s recommendations.

The Minister said the team of senior Army officers accompanying him have thoroughly examined the produce manufactured in Jammu and Kashmir and the Director General Procurement was impressed by the products.

Referring to the Centre’s keenness to boost to industry sector in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Fernandes said the Hindustan Machine Tools factory operating in Srinagar would be strengthened. The state has just two factories in the public sector.