New Delhi:
Ahead of Wednesday's all-party meet on Kashmir, the armed forces remain firmly opposed to partially lifting or diluting the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some parts of J&K.
The Army is learnt to have resisted changes or withdrawal and also reportedly questioned the timing.
Sending out a clear message to the Centre, the Air Chief on Tuesday said whatever decision is taken on AFSPA, the Army must get legal protection.
"Whatever decision government takes on AFSPA will be done only after ensuring legal protection to the armed forces," said Chief of Air Staff, P V Naik.
At Monday's three-hour long meeting, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) debated AFSPA, but did not decide on either alterations to the Act or on withdrawing it from parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting stressed that the decision to leave the Act unchanged for now was not related to the violence in the Kashmir Valley.
Centre has now called an all-party meeting on Kashmir on Wednesday.
"A decision on Kashmir will be taken by the Centre after Wednesday's all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," Defence Minister A K Antony said on Tuesday.
"Important decisions have to be taken after carefully assessing all aspects. Yesterday, the Cabinet Committee on Security had a very long meeting. Ultimately we thought before we take a final decision, we will take into confidence all the major parties so that everybody is involved," he told reporters.
"Don't worry, we will take a decision. Tomorrow is the all-party meeting. After that, we will take a decision," the Minister said when asked why the CCS was unable to take a decision on Monday on issues, including withdrawal of AFSPA from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
About Monday's violence in the Valley after reports of desecration of Quran, Antony said, "we are pained about developments yesterday. As we all know, the situation is very serious. We have to handle the situation carefully."
He appealed to all sides to show restraint.
The Defence Minister had earlier admitted differences over the AFSPA, but said the government's decision would be final. (With PTI Inputs)