Ajax call-request.xhr? = false Rails 3

I have the following tag in a view:-

   <%= form_tag url_for({:controller => params[:area], :action => :search, :area => params[:area] }), :method => :get, :remote => true do %>     <%= label_tag(:query, "Search for:") %>      <%= text_field_tag("query", params[:query], :autocomplete => "off", :onKeyPress=>"return disableEnterKey(event)") %>         <%= submit_tag("Search", :name => nil, ) %>

On reaching the controller in question request.xhr? is = to false

Anyone has any ideas why? or what am I doing wrong.

I have prototype.js and rails.js files loaded in my layout files.