Saturday, May 28 2005 12:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: Infiltration across the border was continuing but the Army was on alert to ensure "that the situation on the ground is under our control", said Army Chief General J J Singh in Panaji yesterday (Mat 27, 2005).

"Infiltration attempts from across the border is on, although we have managed to thwart them. In some places the snow is very thick and has not yet melted. The Army is keeping alert to ensure that the situation on the ground is under our control," General Singh told reporters in an informal chat on the sidelines of the passing out parade of the Naval Academy.

Terming the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) between India and Pakistan, as a "step in the right direction, which will help the two nations to move forward," the Army Chief said, "The situation at the Line of Control (LOC) was fairly peaceful and that both nations were respecting the ceasefire."

On talks between India and Pakistan on Siachen, he said, "It is viable to first reduce the troops in Siachin and eventually pull them out completely if some basic safeguards are provided. A ceasefire is in place and CBMs are necessary if the two countries want to move ahead".

He, however, refused to comment on what basic safeguards were required. When asked about Army's stand on Siachin, he said, "Our Defence delegation has gone there, let them come back, we will discuss matters with them first."

Elaborating on the modernisation of the Indian Army, Singh said that the Army, like other two forces, was moving towards use of a high technology.

Earlier, Singh was the chief guest at the 70th passing out parade of the Naval Academy at INS Mandovi and exhorted the cadets to keep up with technologies in their field to be the best in the world.