Share this story!            

Pakistan may pull back troops from Afghan border

* Defence officials say Pakistan could shift focus on more immediate threat

ISLAMABAD: Tensions with India would force Pakistan to pull nearly 100,000 troops from its western borders, Defence sources said on Saturday.

The officials said Pakistan had already made it clear to the US and NATO that in case of mounting escalation with India, Pakistan’s priority on the war on terror would shift and it would to take care of the more immediate threat to its security.

They said Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee threatened Pakistan and its leadership and that forced Pakistan to adopt a tougher line. India had already put its air force on high alert, they said, adding Pakistan would take measures to ensure its security and safeguard its interests.

They said India had not given any evidence of the alleged involvement of groups or individuals from Pakistan in the Mumbai attacks, and Pakistan would take action against such elements if there was credible evidence.

“I can say with my authority under my command that there’s no involvement of any Pakistani institution in any manner,” Reuters quoted a high-ranking officer as telling reporters at a briefing. “It’s not an ideal situation for a country to go to war. Coercion is there and it’s going up and it needs to be neutralised.”They said that instead of blaming Pakistan, India should try to find the real culprits.

According to a private TV channel, the defence officials said the next 48 hours would be crucial.

“”They’ll have clarity of thought and we’ll have clarity of the situation in next 24-48 hours,” Reuters quoted officials as saying. staff report/agencies

Home | Main

Share this story!