Washington, December 27
The US has urged India and Pakistan to avoid escalating tensions amid reports that Islamabad was moving thousands of troops towards the Indian border.
“We sincerely hope that both sides will avoid taking steps that will unnecessarily raise tensions during these already tense times,” the spokesman of White House Gordon Johndroe said.
He said the US was in touch with both countries and seeking greater cooperation in probing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks blamed on the Pakistan-based elements, including the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
US officials are also monitoring reports about the number of Pakistani troops being moved to forward locations on the border with India.
The key concern of the US officials is that these troops are being diverted from operations in the restive North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan against Taliban and Al-Qaida militants.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, meanwhile, advocated the need to avoid “miscalculations” in the current tense atmosphere.
“It’s important to avoid miscalculations. It is important to understand that this is an opportunity for India and Pakistan to work together,” Haqqani told CNN.
— PTI
