New Delhi - India's Defence Minister AK Antony on Monday suggested that neighbouring Pakistan may have backed the militants responsible for multiple bombings in New Delhi over the weekend that killed 24 people.

Nearly a 100 people were injured when five bombs exploded in crowded market and commercial areas in New Delhi on Saturday evening.

"Militants are getting support from across the border and it's a fact," Antony told reporters in New Delhi responding to a question about possible Pakistani involvement in the blasts.

New Delhi, Sep 15 : Union Defence Minister A K Antony today said that India has developed the need, a legitimate interest and capability in securing supplies of external natural and energy resources, adding that an India specific waiver from NSG is a recognition of India''s relevance and profile in world affairs.

"For its further growth and prosperity, India clearly needs a secure and peaceful periphery and unrestrained sources of energy," said Antony at the seminar on Indian Experience in Force Projection organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) here.

New Delhi, Sep 15 : Union Defence Minister A K Antony today reacted strongly to the failed infiltration bid by militants in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, and pointed fingers at Pakistan for supporting terror groups operating inside India.

“A large number of non-state armed groups have sanctuaries in our neighbouring states who use these bases and resources to carry out acts of terrorism across India,” he said.

“Militants are getting support from across the border and this is a fact,” Antony said on the sidelines of a seminar organised by Centre for Joint Warfare Studies 
(CENJOWS).

New Delhi, Sept 4 : Union Defence Minister A. K. Antony is to lead a high powered delegation to the USA next week from September 7 to 10.

The visit is at the invitation of the US Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates who visited India in February this year. The delegation will comprise of the Defence Secretary, Director General (Acquisitions) and senior three star officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force. The last time the Defence Minister visited the USA was in June, 2005.

New Delhi, Sep 2 : The Armed Forces have communicated to Defence Minister A K Antony that they were “unwilling to implement” the Sixth Central Pay Commission
(CPC) report without anomalies being removed to restore their status and parity of pay scales.

“A high level delegation from the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) made a presentation to Antony and top officials on anomalies, as introduced in the notified CPC report for officers, though it expressed satisfaction over the pay hikes for personnel below officer rank,” said sources in the Defence Ministry.

Rewari (Haryana), August 29 : Union Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Friday said that the government would soon set up an Ex-Servicemen Commission to address the grievances of armed forces veterans and plan welfare schemes for them.

“After opening a new department in the Defence Ministry for ex-servicemen, the government is going to set up an Ex-Servicemen Commission soon to recommend various welfare schemes for them and their families,” Antony said, during the inauguration function of a Sainik School at Thappa Gothra Khori village near Rewari in Haryana.