Musharraf denies role in Indian massacre

President Pervez Musharraf today rejected Indian accusations of Pakistani involvement in the bloodbath at a Hindu temple in Gujarat…

President Pervez Musharraf today rejected Indian accusations of Pakistani involvement in the bloodbath at a Hindu temple in Gujarat, and said attack was "fallout" from massacres of Muslims in the Indian state.

Musharraf said there was no danger of war between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have come close to conflict twice in the past 10 months over Indian claims of Pakistani involvement in militant attacks.

Suspected Islamic militants gunned down 31 people late on Tuesday in a bloody siege of the Akshardam Temple. They were killed when Indian commandos stormed the temple.

Indian leaders blamed the attack on Pakistan-based militants fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir.

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Asked by reporters about the threat of war, Musharraf said there was "no such danger" but that "we are prepared for everything."

The two countries have massed more than a million troops on their border since a fatal attack on the Indian parliament in December, blamed by New Delhi on Pakistan-based militants.

A militant massacre of Indian soldiers and their families in Indian Kashmir in May also heightened fears of war.

More senior Indian ministers have not blamed Pakistan directly for the temple attack.

AFP