Troops leaves cancelled

Updated at: 1250 PST, Friday, December 26, 2008

ISLAMABAD: The leaves of Pakistan Army troops have been cancelled in the wake of tension between Pakistan and India.

According to sources, Army have been put on high alert Pakistan Air Force remained vigilant for the protection of airspace.

The contacts with friendly countries and military partners have been activated. Defence analysts said the troops withdrawal from FATA and NWFP would likely be happened in case of escalation of tension on eastern border.

Pak-India tension: Troops leave cancelled


**Rediff reports the same with more detail
**
Amidst rising tensionswith India, Pakistan has moved fresh Army troops to the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the international border with India to protect “vital points” along the frontier, a media report said on Friday.

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Obama aide Brzezinski warns against India-Pak war

Updated at: 0630 PST, Friday, December 26, 2008

WASHINGTON: Former U.S. National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski has warned against consequences of a war between India and Pakistan and asked the incoming Barack Obama Administration to assist the nuclear neighbors towards improving their fragile relationship.

“The root of the problem is Kashmir. But it’s also part of a generalized hostility between Pakistan and India. “ We can offer our good offices to them, but by and large I think the fundamental point we have to make to both (India and Pakistan) is: War will destroy both the countries,” he told T.V channel in an interview.

Brzezinski, an Obama supporter, was asked as to what the president-elect’s administration could do to help the two countries come closer in the wake of tense South Asian situation ensuing from Mumbai attacks.

The former top official in the Jimmy Carter Administration, who has been consulted by Obama on security matters, also pointed out the pathetic state of Muslims in India as a factor contributing to tension-ridden South Asian scenario.

“And, also it is related to the fact that great many Muslims in India are very underprivileged and don’t have a share of the sort of Indian development growth and all of that. So there is a lot of residual resentment among the 140 or so million Muslims in India.”

Washington, he said, has to urge restraint on both sides. He said while India may have an edge in the case of war “but India could blow itself up.”

jang.com.pk