Front Page
Strike forces moved closer to the border
By Sandeep Dikshit
NEW DELHI, DEC. 20. The Indian Army has started moving its strike formations, comprising tanks and heavy artillery, closer to the border, Defence Ministry officials said.
The movement involves troops from central India, along with tanks and bridging equipment as well as other armoured units towards the International Border with Pakistan along Rajasthan and Gujarat. The increase in military traffic to the western border is in response to Pakistan's deployment of its strike forces - Army Reserves (South) and Army Reserves (North).
Officials described the proceedings as ``adjustments'' carried out due to the `enhanced' Pakistan Army presence in the area even after the conclusion of its winter exercises on December 9.
More Indian Army movement is taking place from Ambala where another of its strike corps is headquartered.
Sources felt the troops there could be preparing to join the winter exercises or were being sent for exercises. The troop movement was taking place in both the northern and southern sectors of the International Border (IB) with Pakistan. However, it would be `harsh' to call this `precautionary-cum adjustment movement' as `deployment' as had been suggested by some quarters. Further up the border, there has been no beefing up of troop strength due to two factors. One, the force level at the line of control (LoC) is the ``optimum possible'' and, second, snow had blocked communication arteries, thus precluding a huge build-up.
Pakistan has found this sector a favoured area of operations while for India, a strike across the Tanot Bulge to Rahimyar Khan much lower down is more opportune since it would sever the main communication link between Lahore and Karachi.
Unlike Pakistan which has recalled all its Army officers on leave, India is exercising caution while granting leave to its officials, said Defence Ministry sources.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A. Y. Tipnis, called upon the station commanders to maintain operational preparedness ``keeping in view the present security environment''. He was addressing the bi-annual station commanders conference at the Western Air Command (WAC).
Sources said the Air Force was maintaining the optimum operational preparedness by carrying out exercises almost continuously in order to reduce the reaction time to the maximum extent possible.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Front Page
|
