Pakistan moves troops toward Indian border

[inanna]

Source: AP

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan began moving thousands of troops away from the Afghan border toward India on Friday amid tensions following the Mumbai attacks, intelligence officials said.

The move represents a sharp escalation in the standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors and will hurt Pakistan's U.S.-backed campaign against al-Qaida and Taliban taking place near Afghanistan's border.

Two intelligence officials said the army's 14th Division was being redeployed to Kasur and Sialkot, close to the Indian border. They said some 20,000 troops were on the move. Earlier Friday, a security official said that all troop leave had been canceled.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAKISTAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-12-26-07-49-04

[Haole Girl]

1. I hope somehow the tensions can ease up

I'm really getting worried, though. :-(

[tekisui]

3. Rhetoric and actions move towards peace or they move towards war.

They are speeding ahead towards war with no sign of letting up, as for now.

[tekisui]

2. And, India had a War Table meeting today.

Including the Nuclear Command Authority.

I fear they are on a collision course for war.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4719232&mesg_id=4719232

[inanna]

4. Indian citizens told travel to Pakistan is unsafe (Reuters)

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (Reuters) - India warned its citizens on Friday it was unsafe to travel to Pakistan after the prime minister met military chiefs, and Pakistan cancelled army leave and moved some troops from its western border.

The warning marked a dramatic rise in tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours after last month's attack on Mumbai, in which 179 people were killed and which India has blamed on Islamist militants based in Pakistan.

It followed media reports in Pakistan and India that "several" Indian nationals had been arrested in the last two days after bombings in the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Multan.

"Indian citizens are therefore advised that it would be unsafe for them to travel (to) or be in Pakistan," India's Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement.

More: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP392614.htm

[acmavm]

5. This is NOT good.

[underpants]

9. No it isn't

I am getting the feeling that this along with how suddenly all these big money boys and corporations are losing money that we about to see a repeat of the end of The Godfather --all scores are settled. :scared:

[ohio2007]

10. pay no attention to it

think happy thoughts.

If all else fails,
finger point

[xchrom]

6. recommend

[lonestarnot]

7. O h boy.

[shadowknows69]

8. Clearly one of my New Years resolutions will have to be to take up drinking again

:toast: Cheers! See y'all on the other side.

[Ghost Dog]

11. Smokin's better for your head, you know.

Oh, and maybe stock up on iodine pills. :smoke:

[shadowknows69]

14. true that

Both of that.

[lovuian]

12. Pakistan is going to be quite a trouble maker in the region

and India is crazy if it starts war

[inanna]

13. US urging calm over possible Pakistan troop moves

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials are watching with growing concern as reports suggest that Pakistan is massing troops to the India border.

Such a move raises double-barreled scenarios: A possible confrontation between two nuclear powers and a shift by the Pakistani military away from battling the Taliban along its western Afghan edge.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Friday the United States hopes both sides will avoid unnecessarily raising tension.

U.S. military leaders have been urging both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint in the wake of the deadly Mumbai (mum-BYE) attacks that many believe originated with Pakistan-based militants.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h1aBshjF1CnfJ4noaEXA_Vb8dm-gD95AGTB00

[shadowknows69]

16. So which ally do we support when the shit hits the fan exactly?

[IndianaGreen]

15. Pakistan cancels military leave

Here is related story from Al-Jazeera:

Pakistan cancels military leave

UPDATED ON:
Friday, December 26, 2008
22:14 Mecca time, 19:14 GMT

Pakistan has cancelled leave for members of its military due to fears of a confrontation with India following last month's Mumbai attacks.

The decision on Friday comes after Pakistan's armed forces were placed on high alert.

"Leave has been cancelled because of the situation. All soldiers have been asked to report to duty," an official speaking anonymously said.

The Pakistani military did not immediately comment, but several soldiers confirmed the story.

India says it has not cancelled leave for its armed forces.

"People are taking leave, no problem," said Sitanshu Kar, the Indian defence ministry spokesman.

"We have an optimum number, which is always maintained."

The foreign ministry in New Delhi, however, advised Indian citizens on Friday that "it would be unsafe for them to travel (to) or be in Pakistan".

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2008/12/20081226105230859853.html

[roamer65]

17. If India and Pakistan go at it, it will start a regional war...

involving Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Eventually China will get involved.

[Libertas1776]

18. ...

Look at what Indian independence has done. Thanks a lot Gandhi :sarcasm:

Seriously, can't we all just get along, and have a beer or something:toast:

[cosmicone]

19. Pakistan is just blackmailing the US by moving troops away from

the Taleban/Al Q'aeda areas.

In reality, Pakistan is broke. It cannot afford a war and will not be able to sustain it beyond a week at most before it runs out of ammo.

This is just typical Paki saber-rattling to get more money.

All this will end if the world balkanizes Pakistan into several small countries along ethnic lines.