Troop movement routine: India

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 18. India today denied reports of any ``heightened tension''along the Line of Control (LoC) and described the remarks of the Pakistani spokesperson to the contrary as ``intemperate and uncalled for.''

``There has been no heightening of tension and we have not recalled anybody from leave,'' an army spokesperson said at a joint briefing with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

He described the movement of a formation as ``normal'', as troops were being rotated routinely.

According to the spokesperson, the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan spoke on Wednesday afternoon. During the unscheduled conversation at Islamabad's request, the Indian side stated that it had no intention of taking advantage of the complex situation in Pakistan. The Indian DGMO, Lt. General S.S Chahal, also ``categorically'' refuted the assertion that the IAF had been deployed for offensive action.

But India, as is ``self-evident'', was ``duty bound'' to prevent any attempt at infiltration, he added.

Meanwhile, a senior Defence Ministry official described the firing along the International Border (IB) and the LoC in Jammu division as routine and provoked by Pakistan. Both sides exchanged only small arms fire.

``No serious damage was reported and so far there have been no reports of casualties,'' said a senior Defence Ministry official.

He maintained that India retaliated to the firing that was re- started by Pakistan in the morning. Small arms, mortars and automatic grenade-launchers were used, but artillery was avoided.

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