Search the Internet          Tips

Army denies withdrawal of three divisions

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The Indian army on Tuesday denied reports that three of its divisions have been withdrawn from the border with Pakistan.

"It is absolutely incorrect," an army spokesman told rediff.com.

The Associated Press on Tuesday reported that the army had withdrawn three strike divisions from the Pakistan border in Jammu. The withdrawal, about a week ago, was followed by the deadly attack in Qasim Nagar in which 28 people were killed, the report claimed.

The army spokesman said the story was incorrect and that there 'has been no change' in army deployment along the border.

The Indian army had carried out a massive mobilisation after the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament last year.

"There is no change in the deployment level of the Indian army, including the strike formations. It is clarified that the news item under reference is incorrect and baseless, therefore denied," the army spokesman said.

The AP report had claimed that the number of troops withdrawn numbered about 18,000.

While feigning ignorance about any withdrawal, a senior army officer told rediff.com that India plans to lower its rhetoric and 'lie low' till October election in Kashmir. "I believe there would not be any change in our deployment at least until the election is over."

The officer said that military option against Pakistan is still among India's plans, but added it would not be resorted to until the monsoons are over (September-October) and Kashmir election is conducted.

However, a redeployment of the strike elements along the border was part of an original de-escalatory plan put in place after hectic lobbying by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Under the plan, informally intimated to the US and the UK, India was to re-deploy its strike elements to a defensive position and send a new high commissioner to Pakistan.

Besides, extra IAF fighter jets along the forward bases were to return to their original bases and Pakistani aircraft were to be granted landing rights in Indian airports. These were part of the second round of de-escalatory steps that India would have taken.

However, the recent assertion of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that he has not given any assurance to end infiltration permanently and the resumption of infiltration had forced the government to put the proposed steps on hold.

India had earlier slightly relaxed its deployment withdrawing over 20 warships from the Arabian Sea, and allowing Pakistani aircraft overhead flight facilities.

India is diplomatically under intense pressure to ease tensions in the region. The US and the UK have brought back India to the centrestage of their diplomatic efforts, with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and US Secretary of State Colin Powell scheduled to visit the region this month end.

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu and Kashmir: The complete coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report