Saturday, December 27, 2008
U.S. asked India and Pakistan to avoid an unnecessary escalation of tensions after reports that confirm a movement of troops on the border between the two countries.
"We hope that both sides can avoid steps that lead even unnecessary increase in tension," said White House spokesman, Gordon Johndroe.
Pakistan has made a redeployment of troops in the north-west and some permits were canceled for the troops, according to sources from the army of that country.
The Indian government also recommended its citizens not to travel to Pakistan because of the increased tension following the attacks in Mumbai that left more than 170 people dead.
A spokesman for the Pakistani armed forces described the troop movements as a minimum defensive measure.
Pakistani reshuffling
On the other hand, a senior security official said that a limited number of troops had been withdrawn from non-essential positions on the border with Afghanistan and areas where there were no military operations.
Pakistani media have confirmed that indeed the soldiers were reinforcing positions along the border with India.
The so-called Line of Control that divides the disputed Kashmir region as well as the towns of Kasur and Sialkot are named in the reports.
India continues to insist that the attacks in Mumbai were carried out by the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba (or Army of the Pure) and suggests that Islamabad has taken only superficial steps against it.
The government of Pakistan said that India has not provided sufficient evidence to enable it to justify stronger actions.
The Pakistani authorities fear that India may launch air strikes against suspected bases of the militants.
A military official said that Pakistan has reduced air operations against Taliban militants in the northeast, near the border with Afghanistan to deploy aircraft to the vicinity of the border with India.
Any significant reduction of military presence on the Afghan border to worry about the United States, which relies on Pakistan to curb cross-border attacks by the Taliban against NATO forces.
