The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes has said that terrorists activities will not deter India from following the path of peace and bringing stability to the disturbed areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the troops in forward areas during his visit to northern sector of the country, Mr Fernandes said that the time had come for Pakistan to realise that there is no alternative to pursuing the path of peace for the welfare of its people in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular.

Mr Fernandes said that the firing on the border had been considerably reduced and the tension had gone down to a perceptible extent. He however, made it clear that Pakistan had not stopped aiding and abetting the terrorists in creating disturbances in various parts of India that led to the loss of innocent lives including women and children. "Pakistan’s true intentions will be judged only when it stops giving aid and training to the fundamentalists for creating disturbances across the border", said the Defence Minister.

During his visit to forward areas, the Defence Minister lauded the morale of Indian troops and praised them for maintaining highest standards of bravery and valour in the highest battle field of the world faced with extreme adverse weather conditions.

This was Mr Fernandes’ eighteenth visit to Siachen since he took over as Defence Minister. As a mark of love and respect for the jawans, Mr Fernandes took 5000 pieces of christmas cake and personally distributed them. During his earlier visit to Siachen he had promised to celebrate christmas with them. Mr Fernandes exhorted the jawans to continue their highest traditions of defending the country.