Pakistan recalls defence personnel on leave

TOUGH TIMES AHEAD: The armed forces on both sides of the border remain alert. (Pic: Reuters)

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Islamabad: Pakistan cancelled leave for members of its armed forces on Friday, beefing up its military strength in case of conflict with India over the deadly Mumbai attacks, a senior military official said.

The military remains on alert, but it has not moved additional troops to the Indian border, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

In response, India said it had not cancelled any time off for its military.

"People are taking leave, no problem," said Indian Defense Ministry Dpokesman Sitanshu Kar. "We have an optimum number, which is always maintained."

Both nuclear-armed neighbors have said they hope to avoid military conflict over last month's attacks, which killed more than 160 people. But Pakistan has promised to respond aggressively if India uses force, an option the Indian Government has not ruled out as it presses its neighbour to crack down on the Pakistan-based terrorist group it blames for the attacks.

"We need a de-escalation in tension through negotiations," Pakistan's minister for parliamentary affairs Babar Awan told reporters on Friday.

"We will continue our efforts at an international level and also at a regional level, but let me make it very clear that we will not surrender an inch. We will fight any adventure, any aggression,” he added.

Hardliners have sought to raise tensions between the two countries after the Mumbai assaults, but senior Indian and Pakistani officials have tried to navigate a careful path, defending their country's honour without triggering military conflict.

Pakistan accused Indian fighter jets of violating its airspace on two separate occasions more than a week ago, raising the possibility of conflict. But Pakistani officials subsequently played down the incidents, saying the violations, which India denied altogether, were likely accidental.