'Government was worried at highest level': former army officer revives 2012 troop movement controversy

New Delhi: A former army officer's comment has revived a two-year-old controversy over the movement of two army units towards Delhi without the government's knowledge.

Lt General (retd) AK Choudhary, who was Director General Military Operations at the time, claims that there was very real concern of an army coup attempt in January, 2012, when the government was reportedly tipped off by the Intelligence Bureau about the movement of troops towards Delhi. He also talks about 'distrust' between the army and the government.

General Choudhary says then Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma had asked him to send the troops back as the government "at the highest level" was worried. This was a time when then Army Chief VK Singh was locked in an open confrontation with the government in a row over his age. He had taken the government to court, demanding that they accept that he was born a year later than his records reflected.

"I was called to the Defence Secretary's office at 11 pm on 16 January. They asked for a clarification, which I gave. They took (troop movement) seriously," General Choudhary told NDTV. The army has always maintained that these were "low level" exercises that even the top military ranks were not always aware of.

An Indian Express report had reported that the government was "spooked" on the night of January 16-17, 2012, because central intelligence agencies reported that military units from Hisar and Agra had moved in the direction of the capital.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had then described the report as "alarmist" and said it "should not be taken at face value."

The retired officer's comments had Parliament abuzz on its last working day before the national election due by May. "If there is serious deficit between politicians and army, it is a serious issue. Army protects the nation from all kinds of threats," said BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Commenting on the revelations, Defence Minister AK Antony said, "It is an old question. In 2012, I have answered three times in Parliament: twice in Rajya Sabha and once in Lok Sabha. I had said we have got reports from Army that it was a routine training program...I gave a written answer in Parliament. Then Defence Secretary gave the same answer to the Standing Committee."