Rattled by a spate of deadly attacks by Maoists on security personnel and civilians, government on Monday said it was examining "all pros and cons" of deploying army in anti-Naxal operations.
"We are carefully examining all pros and cons... and once a decision is made it will be binding on the military," Defence Minister A K Antony said, but made it clear that the government had not firmed up any view on the matter so far.
"The armed forces will also accept whatever decision government takes and implement it with vigour," he said.
Antony was speaking to reporters after taking salute at the passing out parade of 118th course of National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, about 20 kms from Pune.
The defence minister refuted reports that the Union Cabinet was divided over the issue of bringing in the armed forces to combat the Naxal violence.
Denying that the matter came up for discussion during his recent meeting with Army Chief General V K Singh, Antony said it was a routine call.
On the Naxalite menace, Antony said government was taking seriously the "emerging scenario" in which both national and internal security had assumed prime importance.
After the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the government was taking utmost care to step up land, air and coastal security and the armed forces were fully alive to increasing threat perceptions stemming from international terrorism, he said.
