Jeremy Page and Rhys Blakely in Bombay
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Relations between India and Pakistan were on a knife edge today as Indian authorities combed through the wreckage of last week's attacks on Bombay and interrogated the one Pakistani militant captured.
A senior Pakistani security official has warned that Pakistan would pull back troops fighting Islamist militants on the Afghan frontier if India builds up its forces on Pakistan's border, as it did after an attack by Pakistani militants on India's parliament in 2001.
He said the next 48 hours would be crucial for the two nuclear-armed neighbours, which have fought three wars since winning independence from Britain in 1947, and almost went to a fourth after the Indian parliament attacks.
"If something happens on that front, the war on terror won't be our priority," the senior security officer told journalists at a briefing.
"We'll take out everything from the western border. We won't leave anything there."
His threat was clearly designed to encourage the United States and its allies to temper India's response to the attacks, which it has blamed on "elements" in Pakistan – most likely the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
U.S. President George W. Bush has pledged his support for India, now considered a U.S. ally, but Washington also has close ties to Pakistan, its key Muslim partner in the War on Terror.
Pakistani troops are currently engaged in their biggest operation so far against al Qaeda and Taleban militants near the border with Afghanistan, where U.S. intelligence believes Osama bin Laden is hiding.
India's coalition government, led by the Congress Party, is under enormous political pressure to respond to the Bombay attacks so that it does not appear soft on terrorism in the run-up to national elections due by May.
It is convening an all-party meeting today to discuss the attacks and answer criticism of its response – particularly why it took seven hours for counter-terrorist National Security Guard commandos to arrive in Bombay.
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"It is obvious they had the worlds attention and they capitalised on it" What do you mean by that ? India has done much progress in terms of economy , education and science.World recognise that. We dont need Pakistan's terrorism to catch world's attention.
Sonali, singapore,
The British created Pakistan during a hasty retreat. That's History. I'm all for friendship, but please, lets not talk of a re-union.
Think of the ejection of Pakistan as taking with it the kind of attitudes that would have long ago divided India more than it already is.
Sanjib, Bangalore, India
Even while people were dying and the operation was in full swing, the Indian government was blaming Pakistan even though there was no evidence of who was behind the attacks since the lone survivor was not in custody at the time. It is obvious they had the worlds attention and they capitalised on it.
Yasser, Ajman,
Pakistani people are held hostage by their own military and ISI. A tolerant people but ruled by their Military / ISI. Corruption and ineptitude are expected attributes of politicians, *anywhere* in this world - but their military is different . The biggest victims are the citizens of Pakistan.
Vijay Rao, Virginia, United States
For a country thats professes it innocense, i do think it 'protests too much' and now add the blackmail of withdrawing troops from the Afghan border, it speaks volumes
kenny, coventry, uk
Pakistan is almost bankrupt, full of chaos and battered with terrorism. It has nothing to lose in a war. A war is exactly what Pakistan may want. But we don't. We've worked hard for our progress and we can't blow that away on a silly war. Our best reply must be another leap towards economic success!
Ashish Deodhar, Lancaster, UK
The recent attack in Mumbai is very tragic therefore my thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of all victims in this incident,but as a british Pakistani i would also like to state that i think that this is all a propaganda to create even more tension between the two countries.
mrs mohammed, Blackburn, uk
what nonsense! India was not a peaceful nirvana until the dastardly Brits turned up and 'smashed' it. The entire region has always been at war within itself. I lived in India as a man.
John, KL,
what nonsense.. india and pakistan united!
its been a blessing in disguise that pakistan went off...
and as a patriotic indian i am stating this...
it si not a dream.. but a nightmare to have thesae countries together again.
Prashant, delhi, indiA
Our divide and conquer rule worked in the world destroying India, Africa etc. We created the first Islamic state Pakistan others followed there should be the United States of India including all the countries that were created when we broke and smashed India on exit. I lived in India as a boy.
Dr David Godfrey, `oxford, UK
Pakistan and India can't be one because its a two nation theory, like Israel and Palestine are two separate entities. There are 32 separate movements are flourishing in India due to the policies of the rich elite who are sitting in national& state parliaments.
India should be mature at this moment
Ilyas, Kuwait City, Kuwait
When British gave Independence to the India, they left the Kashmir dispute un-solved.
After sixty years of Independence the people of India and Pakistan cannot figure out if Kashmir is worth fighting over.
Was it a smart move by the brits to leave controvertial kashmir
that has become dangerous.
aziz ahmed, dallas, USA
If Pakistan did not know about this attack, then ask who would benefit from the turmoil. Look to the money trail on the Stock Market and who took options. Then look to Europe.
Chris, London,
let India and Pakistan get united and become one country.It is our dream and it will come true one day in 20 odd years.Then only a fight against poverty,arms race,and terrorism can be fought effectively.
raju, Mohali, india