Tensions rise as troops mass on India's border

Published on Friday 26 December 2008 20:34

PAKISTAN began moving thousands of troops to the Indian border yesterday, adding to the tensions triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks.

India has blamed Pakistan-based militants for last month's raid on its financial capital, which killed 164 people and provoked an increasingly bitter war of words between the nuclear-armed neighbours that have fought three wars in 60 years.

The troops were being diverted away from tribal areas near Afghanistan, officials said, in a move expected to frustrate the United States, which has been pushing Pakistan to step up its fight against al-Qaeda and Taleban militants near the Afghan border.

Both countries have said they want to avoid military conflict over the attacks. But India has not ruled out the use of force as it presses its neighbour to crack down on terror cells.

Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan's prime minister, promised to respond aggressively if attacked, but reassured India that Pakistan would not strike first.