Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday met Defence Minister A.K. Antony in New Delhi to discuss security situation in the state. He is believed to have also discussed his government's demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from parts of the state.

The two leaders were closeted for almost an hour at Mr. Antony's residence in the capital. The meeting between Mr. Abdullah and Mr. Antony comes ahead the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet meet on Thursday to discuss the repeal of AFSPA from some parts of the state.

AIR correspondent reports, the meeting comes close on the heels of Mr. Antony saying the state's Unified Command core committee headed by Abdullah and comprising commanders of the Indian Army's 15 and 16 Corps and the state police was empowered to take a decision on the demand for withdrawal of the AFSPA.

The Defence Minister had a couple of days ago noted that the defence ministry had already conveyed its opinion on the matter to the government. The defence minister's remarks came in the wake of Abdullah's assertions that he had the powers, as state chief minister, to decide on the AFSPA withdrawal.

The Army has opposed even partial lifting of AFSPA from the state, saying it would hamper the army's operations against terrorists and their network in the state. However, Mr. Abdullah has indicated he would go ahead with the revocation of AFSPA from at least four districts of the state — Srinagar and Budgam in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu and Samba in the Jammu region.

In an interview with a news channel recently, Abdullah said the army has not operated in these areas for long and hence does not need the protection of the special powers.

AFSPA, which gives sweeping powers to the armed forces, was invoked in the valley in 1990 and the Jammu region in 2001.