New Delhi kept up the pressure on Islamabad today saying it was ready for war or even nuclear strikes by Pakistan if regional tensions spiralled out of control.
The warning from India's tough talking army chief General Padmanabhan came as Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf was preparing to address the nation tomorrow.
His speech is expected to announce curbs on Muslim militants in a bid to defuse the most serious crisis between the rivals in 30 years.
Gen Padmanabhan warned that if Islamabad dared to unleash its nuclear arms, India was prepared to retaliate with its own arsenal. "The perpetrator of that particular outrage shall be punished, shall be punished so severely that the continuation of any form of fray will be doubtful," he said.
India has adopted a no-first strike policy over its nuclear weapons, unlike Pakistan.
But Padmanabhan warned: "We are ready for a second strike. Take it from me that we have enough" arms.
He reiterated the official Indian government line that Pakistan must take tougher action against anti-Indian Islamic militants based on its soil and added New Delhi knew how to strike against their training camps.
Meanwhile an Indian army spokesman said at least 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed today in cross-border firing in Kashmir. The firing began when Pakistan began shelling Indian posts.
AFP