Following through on an action it threatened nearly a month ago, the Pakistani military today began shifting thousands of its troops away from the Afghan border region, where it has been mired in fighting against assorted militant groups, and massing them along the Indian border in preparation of a potential war with its long-time rival.
Though Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani insists that the Pakistani forces will not strike first, experts fear the movements may inadvertently trigger a conflict, particularly with tensions between the two already high.
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee lashed out at Pakistan, suggesting they are “seeking to whip up war hysteria” to avoid tackling terrorist groups. Mukherjee has reportedly spoken with several foreign ministers since yesterday about ratcheting up pressure on Pakistan. India has insisted there will be no war with Pakistan, but has asked the United States to rush delivery on its long-standing order of $375 million worth of cluster bombs.
