ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan army chief Gen. Mirza Aslam Beg has said recent incidents of firing across the line of control in Kashmir and heightened tension between the two countries and said Pakistan was capable of meeting any threat on its border with India.
Making his first comments publicly on the border firing Gen. Beg who was addressing the student officers of the Air War college in Karachi claimed that despite Pakistan’s best efforts to improve its relations with India the incidents had led to “heightening of tension” between the two countries.
A report here said families of Pakistan troops stationed in Azad Kashmir had been told to move to safer places and their leaves had been cancelled.
According to the daily “News” a decision to this effect was taken following instructions issued by the Pakistan army high command to its troops to take appropriate measures” against alleged shelling by Indian troops.
The daily said that families of Pakistani troops had already stared returning to their home towns in different parts of the country.
Another Muslim report claimed that about 30000 people had reportedly shifted to safer areas
Quoting foreign office sources it said many had abandoned their homes in recent days. It said almost one-fourth of civilian population living in Keel and Athmoqam sectors had moved to other places.
Recently 70 Kashmiri youth were killed in a single attack while attempting to cross back to their homes on the Indian side.
Indian high commissioner J.N Dixit was summoned to the foreign office repeatedly over the last three days to be told about Pakistan’s concern over the developments in the valley.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 17, 1991
