Troops on guard as crowds gather to mark the first anniversary of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister
Pakistan moved thousands of troops away from its border with Afghanistan towards its Indian frontier yesterday, marking a big increase in tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours after the Mumbai terror attacks.
The move of 20,000 troops – the army’s 14th Division was being redeployed to Kasur and Sialkot, close to the Indian border – struck a blow against attempts to thwart al-Qaeda and Taleban extremists along the Afghan border. All troop leave has also been cancelled.
Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, met the chiefs of his army, navy and air force to discuss “the prevailing security situation,” according to an official statement.
India blames Pakistan-based militants for the attacks last month on Mumbai in which 179 people died. Both countries rushed troops to the disputed Kashmir region after the attacks but tensions cooled after intensive international diplomacy.
Pakistan sends 20000 troops to Indian frontierTimes Online
Tensions mount as Pakistan shifts troops to Indian border
New Straits Times
Pakistan cancels army leave as India tensions rise
Reuters
