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Pak army moves divisions towards border

ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (PTI) — Pakistan has moved nine army divisions equipped with ammunition towards the international border with India from Marala to Rann of Kutch to “conduct massive exercises”, English daily, The News, reported today.

The troops from the Three Corps started rolling towards the border with India on Thursday and the movement was still on till last night, it said quoting sources in the armed forces.

The newspaper described the troop movement as “unusual” and said the exercise unfolding at such a massive scale across the entire international border with India was being done without any prior information or announcement.

The paper quoted the sources as saying that the troops had been shifted to the borders for defensive purpose, and that some sort of threat of aggression was not out of question.

According to the daily, the development assumes high significance in the light of military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf’s recent statements that Pakistan could use its nukes in dire situation.

Army spokesman when contacted by the daily said it was a routine training exercise to keep the troops in operational condition.