PAKISTAN'S ARMY chief yesterday called for the easing of tensions with nuclear rival India, days after he began amassing troops along their common frontier following last month's terror strikes on Mumbai which claimed more than 172 lives.
Gen Asfaq Parvez Kayani highlighted the need to "de-escalate and avoid conflict in the interest of peace and security", during a meeting with visiting Chinese vice-foreign minister He Yafei, Pakistan's military said in a statement.
He was dispatched by Beijing to Islamabad as part of an international effort to restore calm between the south Asian rivals following the Mumbai strikes which India has blamed on the Pakistan-based militant group, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT or Army of the Pure), supported by the powerful Inter Services Intelligence, (ISI).
India has demanded Pakistan hand over the perpetrators of the Mumbai strike and has not ruled out the use of force if diplomatic and political pressure fail to produce results.
It has also taken a defensive posture along its 2,500-mile-long border by deploying soldiers there in addition to readying its air force and navy.
In response, Pakistan's civilian leaders have said they do not want war, but will retaliate if attacked, and they launched a military build-up against India.
Gen Kayani's remarks were his first regarding the strained relationship between the neighbours and could reassure a jittery region that Pakistan does not intend to escalate the crisis further, days after it reportedly moved more than 20,000 troops from the Afghan border to the Indian frontier.
Pakistani combat aircraft too have been activated and all leave for military personnel cancelled, a measure normally followed in anticipation of hostility.
The move prompted India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, to summon his military chiefs for a strategy session and Delhi has advised its nationals against travelling to Pakistan.
Earlier, the Pakistani and Indian directors general of military operations (DGMOs) spoke over the weekend in an apparent bid to ease tension between the neighbours, who have fought three wars and an 11-week border skirmish since independence 61 years ago.
They came to the brink of another war in 2002 following a strike by gunmen on India's parliament, which Delhi also blamed on the LeT and another Pakistan-based militant group, all backed by the ISI.
The unscheduled conversation over the dedicated hotline between the two DGMOs came after Pakistani officials claimed to have moved troops to the eastern border with India. The two DGMOs talk every Tuesday but spoke at the weekend because of "the current tense situation", a military officer said, declining to be named.
Pakistan has condemned the Mumbai attacks and has denied any state role, blaming "non-state actors".