Pak. build-up no cause for worry: Fernandes

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI, APRIL 10. The Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, has admitted a build-up of Pakistani forces in the Kutch area, but said the development was not a cause for alarm.

In a conversation with a news agency, Mr. Fernandes said ``there is a build-up of Pakistani troops in the Kutch region of Gujarat... but there is no point to worry as our troops are vigilant to thwart any attempt to violate the international border.''

According to highly-placed sources in the Government, Pakistan withdrew paramilitary forces from the Rann of Kutch and positioned a division of around 10,000 troops along with an infantry brigade there. The 18 infantry division and 206 infantry brigade have been deployed in the marshlands, not far from the Indo-Pakistan maritime boundary around Sir Creek. The latest T-80 UD tanks have also been inducted in this zone, replacing the Chinese T-85s. Islamabad changed its deployment profile in the area after the downing of its Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft.

Elements of Pakistan's Special Services Group have also been positioned to carry out commando raids. Supervised by the Karachi-based Five Corps, these groups have fanned out around the hub of Musafir Khas.

Besides, a large number of irregulars have been pushed into this zone, the sources said. Around 150 irregulars have been despatched from Hyderabad (Sindh). Another 2,050 have been moved to Umar Kot, further in the North while 800 more have been sent from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to Karachi. Trained at the Mithi military location, they are likely to be moved to locations such as Keti Bandar and Shah Bandar.

Besides the troop build-up, Pakistan appears to have upgraded its air profile by adding more surveillance radars to forward locations including Shah bandar, Jati and Rahim Ka Bazaar and Nangar Pakar. Preparations have been made to counter possible air strikes and surface-to-air missiles positioned in the Moti Ari- Dandra area.

The refurbishment of the Pakistani air force has major implications. With better facilities, Pakistan can beef up its capability to target India's vital shore-based industrial centres, including the strategically vital energy hub of Bombay High. Pakistani aircraft are deployed in the South, within striking range of India's industrial heartland.

According to analysts, Pakistan's emphasis on deployments in the South to target Indian industry could be triggered by the need to counter India's combat advantages in other areas. Pakistan's thrust in the Kutch can offset the Indian army's natural strategic advantages in other zones.

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