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| Pak mounts forces along J&K borders | | | Early Times Report
Jammu/Poonch, Jan 11: Sparking concern among the Indian armed forces, Pakistan is reported to have deployed an unusually high number of troops along Indo-Pak border in Jehlum-Chenab and Chenab-Ravi corridors in the recent days.
Meanwhile, amid tension brewing up between India and Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, Additional Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday took stock of the situation along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir.
ADG UK Bansal, along with Inspector General of the BSF, Jammu frontier, A K Sarolia, toured the forward areas along the international border in the region and reviewed the security situation there, BSF officials said.
Bansal visited the Octerio Border Out Post (BOP) in the R S Pura border sector of the district and also interacted with jawans. The officers range and intelligence wings briefed him over security measures taken by the BSF on the ground along the border.
Reports from Poonch said that the forces have been withdrawn from Pakistan's troubled north-western tribal belt where they were battling Taliban to put pressure on the US, which has been pressing Islamabad to act against terrorists operating from its soil, and diverted to the border with India, they said.
Pakistan has deployed several brigades (each comprising 4,000 to 6,000 personnel), including 33 brigade, 27 brigade, 7 brigade, 28 brigade, 331 brigade, two battalions (with 1,000 personnel each) of 37 Punjab and 39 Punjab Rawalkote in Hajira, Mandol, Hajipeer, Uri, Bhimber, Nikial, Kotli, Sailkote, Zafarwal, Neelam Valley and other areas, agency sources said.
"The deployment has been a surprising move. It is an area of concern for us," they said adding that the Pakistani side has already cleaned the bunkers along the borderline. The sources said "several brigades involved in the war against Taliban in north-western tribal belt have been withdrawn and deployed along Jehlum-Chenab corridor in the past one week." Some troops have also been deployed in Chinab-Ravi corridor.
"Pakistan wants to put pressure on the US by shifting troops from anti-Taliban operations. They are deploying them on border in the name of safeguarding its frontiers with India" by taking advantage of the tensions following the Mumbai terror attacks, they said.
One of the two divisions (with approximately 13,000 TO 15,000 men) deployed in Waziristan was withdrawn, they said quoting intelligence inputs and added that over 400 to 500 vehicles carrying troops have pulled out from Bajaur, Mohmmad and Waziristan during past over one week.
Army troops are keeping a close watch over the situation on Line of Control on the border side, they said adding that troops of 19 division have also been moved closer to Indo-Pak border.
Pakistani Rangers have cleared their bunkers and given them a face lift during the last fortnight, sources said, adding that there is also increase in the number of Pak rangers on the international border from Akhnoor to Pathankote.
Pak troops have also "activated their special operational intelligence units and put SOIU detachment in various forward areas along the border line," they said.
"The troops are maintaining A tight vigil along the border. They are patrolling the area round the clock. They are alert," the defence sources said.
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