Antony defends his statement on soldiers' killing

Defence Minister A.K. Antony Wednesday defended his statement to parliament on killing of five Indian soldiers, and said he would come back to parliament if he gets any more details.

As agitated members of opposition parties demanded a clarification and apology from Antony for his statement Tuesday, the minister said he has to be "careful" in giving statements.

"As a defence minister, when I make a statement I have to be careful. I made a statement yesterday (Tuesday)... today (Wednesday) the Army Chief (General Bikram Singh) has gone to the area. If I have any more details, I will come back to you," Antony said in the Rajya Sabha.

The whole country and parliament is one on the issue of defence, security and integrity of the nation, he added.

Five soldiers were killed early Tuesday when attackers intruded into Indian territory and ambushed an army patrol at Chakan-da-Bagh sector of the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan. One soldier was injured.

The defence minister in a statement Tuesday in both houses had said "Twenty heavily armed terrorists, along with persons dressed as in Pakistan Army uniform" were responsible for the killings.

However, a defence ministry statement, also issued Tuesday, said a Pakistan Border Action team was responsible for the killing.