New Delhi: India on August 17 termed as "completely baseless" Pakistan's claims that New Delhi was preparing for military action by mobilising troops in the Dras-Kargil sectors of Jammu and Kashmir and said it was "normal movement at formation level".

Pakistan's official news agency, APP, quoting intelligence sources had reported on August 16 night that India was preparing for military action in the Drass-Kargil sector. There was an increased movement of troops and other related activity, especially in the Drass area, and restrictions were being imposed on movement of civilians, it said.

Describing the report as "completely baseless", a Defence Ministry spokesman said, "This was a normal movement of troops at formation level and there were no restrictions on the movement of civilians in the area."

The spokesman said the Srinagar-Leh highway overlooking Drass-Kargil was open to traffic and several tourists were moving along it.

Last week, Defence Minister George Fernandes had denied in Parliament that Pakistani forces were in occupation of an Indian peak in Northern Dras.

PTI