US warning on South Asia tension

(December 27, 2008) Indian troops keep a close eye on the border in Rajasthan The United States has urged India and Pakistan to avoid unnecessarily raising tension amid reports of troop movements to the border. Pakistan has redeployed some troops from the north-west and some leave has been cancelled, army officials said. India earlier advised its citizens against travelling to Pakistan amid the continuing tension in the wake of last month's deadly attacks in Mumbai. A Pakistani military spokesman called its movements a minimum defensive measure. And a senior security official said a limited number of soldiers had been pulled out from non-essential positions on the Afghan border and areas where there were no military operations. Pakistan is suspending some army operations against militants. Pakistani media reported that troops were strengthening some positions on the border with India. There have been reports of possible forthcoming "surgical" strikes by India on the headquarters and camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the militant group India blames for the Mumbai attacks. The group and Pakistan's government deny any involvement. The US remained "in close contact with both countries to urge closer co-operation in investigating the Mumbai attacks and in fighting terrorism generally". India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the Pakistan situation with his military chiefs on Friday. The Indian foreign ministry advised Indian nationals not to travel to Pakistan following recent bombings in the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Multan.