Wednesday, March 1 2006 14:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (Mar 1,2006) said in Lok Sabha that it was keeping a vigil over the reported use of chemical weapons by Pakistani forces and would take all steps to safeguard India's security and national interests.

In a written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said, "It has been reported in Pakistani media that Pakistani forces used chemical weapons in Balochistan recently."

"On December 24, 2005, Senator Sanaullah Baloch of the Balochistan National Party alleged that army was using gas and chemicals against Balochs," Ahamed said.

"On February seven, 2006, Agha Hasan Bugti, Secretary-General of Jamhoori Watan Party, accused para-military forces of firing chemical gas shells on civilians in Dera Bugti, Balochistan," he said.

To a question whether the use of chemical weapons by Pak forces was creating tension in the region, particularly India, the Minister said, "Government remains fully vigilant and will take all necessary steps to safeguard India's security and national interests."

He informed the House that on January two this year, the spokesman of the Pakistan Army, Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, rejected reports that Pakistani security forces had used poisonous gas in operations in Balochistan.