Antony reviews overall security situation

New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) A day after assuring the nation that the armed forces were prepared for any eventuality, Defence Minister A.K. Antony Thursday reviewed the security environment along the land and maritime borders in a meeting with the three service chiefs and defence secretary, a defence official said.

'Defence minister today (Thursday) held a meeting with the three service chiefs and defence secretary Vijay Singh to review the overall security situation and to take stock of the state of preparedness of the armed forces,' defence spokesman Sitanshu Kar said in a statement.

Army chief General Deepak Kapoor, navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, air force chief Air Chief Marshal Fali H. Major and defence secretary Vijay Singh assessed the position with regard to certain critical equipment and the status of ongoing acquisitions.

'Antony emphasised the need for the forces to be fully geared up to face any challenge or threat that may arise. Security along the land and maritime borders, particularly in the light of terror threats was reviewed,' Kar said.

The importance of coordinated intelligence sharing by all agencies was underlined during the meeting in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks caused due to the absence of intelligence sharing among various agencies.

'The services were asked to put a suitable mechanism in place to ensure proper analysis and follow up of all relevant inputs. The security of vital coastal and offshore assets was discussed with a view to ensuring that these remained fully secured,' Kar added.

Antony will hold another meeting Saturday to review coastal security.

Antony told reporters Tuesday: 'I cannot say what course of action we will take, but unless Pakistan shows sincerity in whatever they are saying through their actions, one thing is very sure - that there is no question of things as usual.'

Antony also said the armed forces were prepared for any eventuality.

The three forces are on 'high alert' following heightened tensions between the two neighbours in the wake of the Mumbai terror strike that left over 170 dead and over 250 injured.