Indian Express story absolutely baseless: Antony

Defence Minister AK Antony has said that a report in the Indian Express that said the political establishment were spooked by fears of a coup on 16 January were “absolutely baseless”. Addressing a media conference at the launch of the nuclear submarine INS Chakra in Visakhapatnam, Antony emphatically stated he had complete faith that the army would do nothing to undermine Indian democracy. [caption id=“attachment_265980” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Antony said that the patriotism of soldiers dying for the country should not be questioned: PTI”] [/caption] “Please don’t question the patriotism of soldiers who are dying for the country at younger ages at the frontlines. I am proud of the Indian Army, navy and air force and coast guard also”, he said. “My humble request. On issues like this affecting national security, armed forces we cannot take luxury of controversies,” he said. He added that the troop movements towards Delhi detailed in the newspaper report was “usual, natural activity” carried out by the army. “Already the army has explained (its movements). I don’t want to say anything beyond that”, he added. The report today stated that the movement of two army units towards the national capital on the night on 16 January, the same day that the Army chief approached the Supreme Court over his date of birth controversy, had sparked off confusion in political and bureaucratic circles. The army has dismissed the report and said the movement of the units was part of exercises to test troop movements in fog.