Sunday, December 28, 2008

Pak troop build-up reports worrying


In the face of escalating tension between India and Pakistan, the United States has reacted with concern to reports that Pakistan was massing troops along India’s border. U.S. military leaders have been urging both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. U.S. intelligence and military officials were still trying to determine if the reported troop movements were true.

A key concern for U.S. officials is that some of those troops may have been stationed along the volatile Afghan border, and were being diverted to the Indian side.”We urge both sides will avoid taking steps that will unnecessarily raise tensions during these already tense times,” said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

US military leaders have been urging both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint in the wake of the Mumbai attacks that many believe originated with Pakistan-based militants.US intelligence and military officials were still trying to determine if the reported troop movements were true, and, if so, what Pakistan’s intent may be. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

One senior military official today said that the US is monitoring the issue, but still could not confirm assertions from Pakistani intelligence officials that some 20,000 troops were on the move, heading to the Indian border.

A key concern for US officials is that some of those troops may have been stationed along the volatile Afghan border, and were being diverted to the Indian side. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Mullen, who have both been in the region in recent weeks, have expressed the hope that Pakistan would stay focused on fighting militants in its mountainous northwestern areas.

There was also no indication today that either Gates or Mullen had reached out to their counterparts in Pakistan since these latest reports had surfaced.Johndroe added that, “We continue to be in close contact with both countries to urge closer cooperation in investigating the Mumbai attacks and in fighting terrorism generally.”

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