Pakistan deploys additional troops along border with India!
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - January 11, 2009 - Pakistan has deployed several army brigades along the India-Pakistan border in Jehlum-Chenab and Chenab-Ravi corridors in recent days, sparking concern in the Indian armed forces, defense sources said here today.
The forces have been withdrawn from Pakistan's troubled northwestern tribal belt, where they were battling the Taliban, and diverted to the border with India, they said.
Pakistan has depoyed 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, 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The sources said "several brigades involved in the war against the Taliban in northwestern tribal belt have been withdrawn and deployed along Jehlum-Chenab corridor in the past week." Some troops have also been deployed in Chinab-Ravi corridor.
"Pakistan wants to put pressure on the U.S. by shifting troops from anti-Taliban operations. They are deploying them on the border in the name of safeguarding its frontiers with India, by taking advantage of the tensions following the Mumbai terror attacks,” they said
