All options open before India, says army chief

New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) - Noting that Pakistan has moved
troops towards border with India, Army chief General Deepak
Kapoor Wednesday said New Delhi has kept all options open,
including the "fighting option" as a last resort.

Kapoor said tension between India and Pakistan were
"larger" in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, but said
there was no need to create any hysteria.

"We expect Pakistan to move some troops from FATA
(Federally Administered Tribal Areas) to its eastern borders
with India. They have come to eastern border of Pakistan with
India," Kapoor told a press conference here.

He said the Indian Army had already "factored this" into
its planning and there was "no cause for concern" in India.

"There is a larger amount of tension after 26/11. Because
we feel that the perpetrators of 26/11 came from Pakistan. In
view of that, we in India are keeping all options open," he
said.

Elaborating on the options, he said these were
"diplomatic, economic, or as a last resort, a fighting
option."

Kapoor said, there was "no need to create any kind of
hysteria"

On the use of military option as a last resort, Gen
Kapoor said the decision was dependent on the political
leadership when they felt that all other options, including
international opinion, were exhausted.

"Our political leadership has said war is not an option.
But all options are open. The situation remains at that
stage," he said to a query.

Regarding reports of some strike formations of the Indian
Army moving towards the western borders, Kapoor said some of
the formations were currently carrying out exercise in both
the Mahajan ranges and Pokhran ranges and that the information
had already been shared with the neighbouring country.

"It is part of an understanding that practice training be
intimated. There has been some amount of clearing up of
bunkers, which need to be maintained regularly. It need not
become a cause for a war frenzy," the Army chief said.

On the threat of nuclear arsenal from Pakistan falling
into terrorists' hands, Kapoor said: "I wish it doesn't
happen."

But, he said, if there was a degree of stability in
Pakistan, this threat would not become a reality. "Nuclear
weapon (in the wrong hands) is a cause for worry for the
entire globe," he added.

Asked if India, having helped Afghanistan to rebuild
infrastructure, should get a strategic presence there to
squeeze Pakistan, the General said it was for the political
leaders to take a policy decision on the matter.