jimpack
Minister (2k+ posts)
Pakistan has moved a large number of troops from the border with India to its troubled north-west for an offensive against the Taliban.
US Special Ambassador on Af-Pak Richard Holbrooke has termed the troops redeployment as a significant move.
The troop redeployment looks like the first significant thinning out of the Pakistan Army from its front with India.
Pakistan is reported to have pulled out at least 70,000 army troopers deployed against India for an offensive against the Taliban on its western side.
Interestingly the announcement was made by the US.
Holbrooke termed it "a significant redeployment" involving a "very large number of troops".
Intelligence agencies indicate that Pakistan has since March trebled the number of Army troops deployed in its troubled North-Western Frontier Province and Waziristan.
The number now stands at approximately 1,00,000 and perhaps the most symbolic movement is that of a brigade along the Line of Control.
Pakistan had insisted earlier that there would be no thinning out from its side of Jammu and Kashmir.
Intelligence inputs suggest that the Pakistan Army's 14 Division has been moved out of Okhara in Punjab and it's 37 Division has been pulled out of Gujaranwala.
Even a part of Jhelum-based 23 Division, including its Headquarters, has been shifted to Pakistan's Wild West.
The number of Army battalions in the NWFP and tribal areas has been increased from 18 to 80.
But a big majority of Pakistan's 6,00,000-strong Army as also its entire strategic capability is still ranged against India.
So, its makes very little difference on the India-Pak frontier.
Observers see a US push in this development.
They are also linking the redeployment to the Indian climb-down at Sharm-el-Sheikh and the controversial inclusion of Balochistan in the joint statement with Pakistan.
The redeployment is seen as preparation for an offensive against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan.
So, is Pakistan finally walking the talk?
It's commitment to take on the Taliban, which it fathered, is clearly on test.
US Special Ambassador on Af-Pak Richard Holbrooke has termed the troops redeployment as a significant move.
The troop redeployment looks like the first significant thinning out of the Pakistan Army from its front with India.
Pakistan is reported to have pulled out at least 70,000 army troopers deployed against India for an offensive against the Taliban on its western side.
Interestingly the announcement was made by the US.
Holbrooke termed it "a significant redeployment" involving a "very large number of troops".
Intelligence agencies indicate that Pakistan has since March trebled the number of Army troops deployed in its troubled North-Western Frontier Province and Waziristan.
The number now stands at approximately 1,00,000 and perhaps the most symbolic movement is that of a brigade along the Line of Control.
Pakistan had insisted earlier that there would be no thinning out from its side of Jammu and Kashmir.
Intelligence inputs suggest that the Pakistan Army's 14 Division has been moved out of Okhara in Punjab and it's 37 Division has been pulled out of Gujaranwala.
Even a part of Jhelum-based 23 Division, including its Headquarters, has been shifted to Pakistan's Wild West.
The number of Army battalions in the NWFP and tribal areas has been increased from 18 to 80.
But a big majority of Pakistan's 6,00,000-strong Army as also its entire strategic capability is still ranged against India.
So, its makes very little difference on the India-Pak frontier.
Observers see a US push in this development.
They are also linking the redeployment to the Indian climb-down at Sharm-el-Sheikh and the controversial inclusion of Balochistan in the joint statement with Pakistan.
The redeployment is seen as preparation for an offensive against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan.
So, is Pakistan finally walking the talk?
It's commitment to take on the Taliban, which it fathered, is clearly on test.
