Army 'ready for any eventuality'

Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani yesterday said the army was "fully prepared to meet the challenges" in an apparent reference to current tensions with India over the recent Mumbai attacks.

In a speech during a conference for formation commanders he chaired at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Gen Kiyani emphasised that the threat could best be defeated through a comprehensive national effort.

Kiyani expressed satisfaction over the efforts undertaken by the military commanders for training and operational preparedness, according to a media release of the inter-services public relations department.

He said the spirit of sacrifice and high morale of troops were reassuring for the defence of the country. The participants of the conference were given a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security environment.

The Foreign Office, in a statement here yesterday, accused the Indian government of heightening tensions with its diplomatic and political campaigns against Pakistan. It termed "most unfortunate" recent statements of Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Army Chief Deepak Kapoor. Foreign office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said that instead of responding to Pakistan's constructive proposals, India was fuelling tensions.

"Indulging in blame game is counter-productive," he said.

The head of the Indian army said in Delhi on Wednesday that India was keeping all its options open, adding "there was no need for war hysteria."