U.S. officials watched with growing concern today as reports suggested Pakistan was massing troops to the India border.
Such a move raises double-barreled worries: A possible confrontation between two nuclear powers and a shift by the Pakistani military away from battling the Taliban along its western Afghan edge.
U.S. intelligence and military officials were still trying to determine what Troop Formations are on the move, and, what Pakistan's intent may be.
Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, was in Pakistan twice this month, and as many as seven times in the past year. In recent meetings with senior Pakistani leaders he has urged restraint and encouraged both sides to find ways to work together.
One senior military official said today that the U.S. is monitoring the issue, but still could confirm assertions from Pakistani intelligence officials that some troops were on the move, heading to the Indian border.
A key concern for U.S. officials is that some of those troops may have been stationed along the volatile Afghan border, and were being diverted to the Indian side.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Mullen, who have both been in the region in recent weeks, have expressed the hope that Pakistan would stay focused on fighting militants in its mountainous northwestern Federally Administered Tribal Areas, or FATA.
The Pakistan Army's 14th Division is being redeployed to the towns of Kasur and Sialkot, close to the Indian border.
Analysts said the redeployment is likely meant as a warning to India not to launch missile strikes against militant targets on its territory. It is not likely an indication that the two countries are about to descend into war, analysts said.
"They should concentrate on the real issue: how to fight against terrorists and how to fight against and bring to book the perpetrators of [the] Mumbai terrorist attack," said Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with the chiefs of the army, navy and air force to discuss "the prevailing security situation," according to an official statement.
India is warning its citizens that it would be unsafe to go to Pakistan amid heightened tension.
Pakistan has begun moving thousands of troops away from the Afghan border toward India.
Pakistan has moved Major Formations of the XVI Corps (Nagrota Corps) to the Line of Control (which divides Pakistani and Indian portions of Kashmir).
Pakistan Army had moved its 10th Division to Lahore.
Infantry out of South Waziristan on the move.
The 3rd Armoured Brigade is heading towards Jhelum.
Warplanes flying over major cities.
Pakistan canceled leave for members of its armed forces 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 authorized to talk to the media.
In response, India said it had not canceled any time off for its military. "People are taking leave, no problem," said Indian Defense Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar. "We have an optimum number, which is always maintained."
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.
Pakistani fighter jets have flown over several of the country's major cities in recent days after the alleged airspace violations.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947, but the stakes are even higher now that both countries have nuclear weapons.
News on the Bombay attacks is breaking fast on Twitter with hundreds of people using the site to update others with first-hand accounts of the carnage.
The website has a stream of comments on the attacks which is being updated by the second, often by eye-witnesses and people in the city. Although the chatter cannot be verified immediately and often reflects the chaos on the streets, it is becoming the fastest source of information for those seeking unfiltered news from the scene.
In the past hour, people using Twitter reported that bombings and attacks were continuing, but none of these could be confirmed. Others gave details on different locations in which hostages were being held.
And this morning, Twitter users said that Indian authorities was asking users to stop updating the site for security reasons:
One person wrote: “Police reckon tweeters giving away strategic info to terrorists via Twitter”.
Many pointed to reports that that the situation had led to clashes between Indian forces and militants in the disputed border region of Kashmir. Some messages gave the names of suspected terrorists. None of the information could be confirmed at this stage.
Twitter is a micro-blogging service, where people can send short messages of up to 140 characters to friends using text messages or over the internet.
Others have used the site to post contact details of relevant emergency services for those caught up in the attack. There were appeals for Twitter users to post “I’m fine” messages so it could be relayed onto family and friends.
Many sent messages of support to the Indian authorities and Bombay’s citizens.
One user said: “please give all respect and due to all those cops and army people who are risking their lives 4 us”. Other Bombay residents showed anger that the situation was continuing: “sadly NO ONE seems to be in charge. what are they all WAITING for 18 hours later ?”
U.S. officials watched with growing concern today as reports suggested Pakistan was massing troops to the India border.
