New Delhi: The construction of fence along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir valley and Jammu region has been completed on Sep 30, 2004 the Government informed the Lok Sabha today (Dec 16, 2004).

It was an operational requirement and India had been compelled to start fencing work on the International Border (IB) and the LoC because of cross-border infiltration and terrorism sponsored by Pakistan, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a written reply.

He said Pakistan has, from time to time, claimed that the fencing activity undertaken by India along the International Border and LoC is in violation of some bilateral agreements.

The Government of India has, however, made it clear to Pakistan that fencing work was not in violation of the Simla Agreement or the December 1972 Agreement on the Delineation of the LoC, Mukherjee said.

The fencing on the 734 kms of the LoC has significantly enhanced the Army's capability to detect and intercept terrorists attempting to infiltrate or exfiltrate and is acting as an effective deterrence against terrorists, he said.

Barak: The procurement of Barak anti-missile defence system from M/s IAI, Israel, was one of the cases under investigation by Justice Venkataswami/Justice S N Phukan Commission constituted by the previous Government to inquire into transactions mentioned in the Tehelka video tapes, he said, adding the Commission has since been wound up.

Mirage: Keeping in mind the last Mirage-2000 accident, night flying syllabus is being re-worked, Mukherjee said.

Accidents: No Indian Air Force aircraft has crashed due to bird hit during the last three years, the Defence Minister said, adding Rs 1197.91 lakh had been spent between 2001 and 2004 for anti-bird measures. HIV: The incidence of HIV positive cases in the Indian Army is below 0.02 per cent, Mukherjee said and added that Government had taken several steps to protect the Army from infection.

Court Martial: At least 3966 Army personnel were prosecuted and convicted in 4225 courts martial held between 2000 and 2003 and 2203 soldiers were sentenced to undergo imprisonment, he said.

Dues: An amount of Rs 237.36 crore is outstanding with various States and union territories on account of use of IAF aircraft by their Chief Ministers, Mukherjee said.

Academy: Government is considering setting up of Military Academy in West Bengal, he said.

Ordinance: Government has decided to modernise all the seven central ordinance depots located at Agra, Mumbai, Chheoki, Delhi Cantonment, Dehu Road, Jabalpur and Kanpur in a phased manner, Mukherjee said.

Welfare: Government has set up a separate Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare under the Defence Ministry, he said.