ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday reviewed the operational plans and gave his approval “to respond to any and all conceivable types of aggression that could be launched by the Indian armed forces”.

“Pakistanis are a responsible and peace-loving nation but let there be no illusion that in case of any aggression we will respond with complete national will and resolve,” he declared while presiding over a corps commanders conference at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Gen Musharraf said that defence of the country was a sacred duty and by the grace of Allah, Pakistan army was capable of meeting all types of challenges.

The conference was attended by corps commanders and principal staff officers who were given a detailed update by the president about his visits and discussions with leaders of Iran, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and at the Saarc conference at Kathmandu, said an Inter-Service Public Relations announcement.

Sources said the president had told the conference that Pakistan was still seeking dialogue with India to de-escalate the situation. He, however, made it clear that his continued offer of talks with Indian leaders should not be construed as any sign of weakness.

Sources said the meeting reviewed the “immense deployment of troops and armament” on the Line of Control and the international border in response to continued Indian military buildup to meet any possible aggression. The forthcoming Indian military exercises were also discussed and plans approved to counter them should they turn out to be actual war.

Pakistan, the president told the conference, had taken into confidence his friends about the Indian military buildup and said that he was receiving very encouraging response, especially from China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Those who had accompanied the president to China said the Chinese leadership had assured Gen Musharraf of “all military and political support” in case India tried to do any misadventure.

“We have been asked by our Chinese friends to remain in low key and continue making efforts to defuse the volatile situation. And in the process if India opts for any aggression Chinese say they will all be behind Pakistan,” said an official who had travelled with the president to China and Kathmandu.

The official, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that the Chinese had also informed the US government of their full support to President Musharraf in case India attacked Pakistan. He also referred to US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s telephonic talks with his Chinese counterpart.

“Pakistan is constantly in touch with all those who matter and is not alone if war is thrust on us by the Indians,” the official said.