Don't question armed forces' patriotism: AK Antony

Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday said he did not doubt the patriotism of the armed forces and that the reported movement of two army units towards Delhi in January was "nothing unusual".

"(It is) absolutely baseless...," Antony said responding to a question on the movement of army units towards Delhi without informing the defence ministry, as reported by The Indian Express Wednesday.

"It is an usual natural activity...nothing unusual, and we are absolutely sure of the patriotism of the Indian armed forces," he said.

Antony said he had "no doubt on the patriotism of the armed forces".

"We don't question their patriotism...don't question the patriotism of the soldiers who are dying for the country," Antony said.

The Express said in a front page report that the Hisar-based Mechanised Infantry and elements from a unit of the airborne 50 Para Brigade based in Agra had moved towards the capital.

It said the movement took place on the night of January 16, without following the standard operating procedure of informing the defence ministry in advance.

It said since this happened around the time when army chief Gen VK Singh was waging a judicial battle against the government over his age row, it created unease and suspicion in Delhi.