28 November 2004	Sunday	15 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Nov 27: Pakistan on Saturday expressed concern on reports to send more Indian forces to Kashmir and said the report comes as a surprise and warrants some clarifications from New Delhi.

Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan, commenting on reports published in a section of press on Saturday regarding intention of India to send more troops into Jammu and Kashmir, said that Pakistan had welcomed the Indian government's decision to reduce forces from Indian-held Kashmir (IHK).

The spokesman said Pakistan considered it (reduction of forces) a good beginning and hoped that ultimately the bulk of Indian forces would be withdrawn.

"We still hope that this reduction will not be merely routine or rotational; and instead it would be a substantive and concrete confidence building measure (CBM), intending to provide relief to Kashmiris."

The spokesman said Pakistan hoped that reduction of forces from Kashmir would be a genuine CBM.-APP