India denies Pak media report of troops being thinned out in border areas

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) India has made it clear that it has no plans to thin out troops from wartime positions in border areas where they were deployed post the 2008 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Denying the report published in Pakistani daily Express Tribune, India's Defence Ministry said here Monday, "There are no such plans (to move troops from their existing locations)." Quoting unnamed military and diplomatic channels, the news report had said that the two countries reached an understanding on withdrawal of troops during the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to India last month. Issuing a denial of the report, Defence Ministry Spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said, "The report published in Express Tribune, Islamabad edition, dated May 14, 2012, that 'India may move troops to peace time locations' is completely incorrect and without any basis. There are no such plans." The report had also claimed that the formal announcement about the withdrawal of troops is likely to be made during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Islamabad. Quoting unnamed military and diplomatic officials, the report had also said that the visit is likely to take place sometime in September or October. The newspaper also claimed that there could be some "major announcements" on long pending Siachen glacier and Sir Creek issues. There is a possibility that both sides might agree on troop withdrawal from Siachen, where an avalanche buried 139 people at a high-altitude Pakistan Army camp on April 7, it added. Responding to the report Monday, India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin also said India has no plans to move troops to peace time locations. He said the reports in a section of Pakistani media is "completely incorrect and without any basis". PTI