Islamabad: Denying Defence Minister George Fernandes' assertion that Pakistan was deploying submarines and troops near the west coast of Gujarat, Islamabad today (Dec 12, 2003) said it was only "peace time movement".

There was only "peace time movement" but no additional deployment, Pakistan's Defence spokesman Major General Shoukat Sultan said.

The relations between the two countries improved following recent measures and such statements at this stage could have been avoided, Sultan told a Pakistani TV channel.

Fernandes told Lok Sabha yesterday (Dec 11, 2003) that operations of Pakistan Navy submarines close to the Gujarat coast have come to notice during the last two months.

"There is also known deployment of Pakistani troops near the West Coast of Gujarat opposite Rann of Kutch and Sir Creek Island," he said.

PTI