(a) whether any special powers have been given to the soldiers to check the terrorism growing in the country;
(b) if so, whether any positive results have been achieved;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) the number of soldiers died in fighting against the terrorists during the last three years;
(e) whether the Government are taking any suitable steps to check such attacks; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) to (c): Adequate special powers are already conferred upon members of the Armed Forces 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 on the Armed Forces has brought positive results.
(d) to (f): A total number of 932 Army personnel have died due to terrorist attacks between 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, too, various steps have been taken to bring the militancy under control, including the deployment of Army and para military forces in the States and coordinated counter - militancy operations by the security forces.