New Delhi: Troop reduction from Jammu and Kashmir would be carried out in a "phased" manner and the numbers would be flexible depending on the ground situation in the militancy-hit State, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in New Delhi today (Nov 17, 2004).

Spotlight: Kashmir is NOT negotiable

Mukherjee told reporters in New Delhi that the troops would be withdrawn from all regions of the State barring Siachen Glacier, and "there is no time-frame for the reduction of troops and the de-induction will be carried out in different areas of the State after careful study of the ground situation and the pattern of violence."

Asked about the number of troops which would be de-inducted and whether this would encompass troubled areas like Poonch-Rajouri and the frontier district of Kupwara, he said, "The numbers of troops to be withdrawn will be flexible and left to operational commanders."

Earlier speaking to reporters during naval manoeuvres off the Mumbai coast, the Minister said the issue in Siachen was not of pull back of troops but demarcation of actual ground positions held.