November 29, 2001
LOK SABHA
'33'
SPECIAL POWER TO SOLDIERS TO FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
Adequate special powers are conferred upon members of the armed forces to check terrorism in ‘disturbed areas’ under The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 as applicable to North-Eastern states, and The Armed Forces (Jammu & Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990 as applicable to Jammu & Kashmir to deal with the terrorists. Conferment of these special powers to the Armed Forces has brought about positive results.A total number of 932 army personnel have died due to terrorist attacks in November 1998 and October 2001. Adequate measures are being taken and utmost vigilance is being maintained to prevent attacks by the terrorists. A multi-tiered counter infiltration posture has been adopted to check infiltration/ex-filtration along the Line of Control/International Border. In the North-East also various steps have been taken to bring militancy under control, including the deployment of army and para-military forces in the states and coordinated counter-militancy operations by the security forces.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Anant Gudhe and Shri Anant Gangaram Geete in Lok Sabha today.