Pakistan moves troops along LoC

Army, BSF asked to be on high vigil in Kashmir, Rajasthan

Fearing surgical strikes by India following the Uri attack, Pakistan has started mobilising troops along the Line of Control and the International Border. The mobilisation by Pakistan is not just restricted to the northern sector in Jammu and Kashmir but troop build-up has also been spotted along the western sector, in Rajasthan.

The issue was flagged during the meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Capital on Wednesday and both the BSF and Army, responsible for guarding the border and LoC respectively, have been asked to maintain a high degree of vigil.

While confirming troop build-up by Pakistan, a senior security official said, “We have noticed a lot of activity by Pakistani forces along the Rajasthan border also, in sectors like Ganganagar and Barmer. Our security forces on the ground are alert and closely monitoring every development.” The official said it was surprising that Pakistan was deploying additional troops along the western sector, but said this could be a preventive measure. In fact, during a high-level meeting headed by Mr Modi on Monday, instructions were issued to the security forces to remain alert along the western sector also.

Even as CCS discussed various possibilities of a retaliatory offensive by Indian forces, sources said any armed action will not be taken in undue haste. India, they said, will examine all possibilities of cornering Pakistan at the diplomatic and economic level also.

The prevailing security situation in the Valley after the Uri attack was reviewed at length during the meeting.