COLOMBO: India has moved a full division up to the Pakistani border opposite the city of Sialkot, knowledgeable sources said here today [Aug 24]. They said that the movement of the new division doubled India’s strength in the Sialkot sector where the biggest tank battle since World War II was fought during last September’s encounter between India and Pakistan. Previously, India had only one division based in Jammu.

In addition, they said, the Indians have moved two armoured regiments which had been in the general area “closer to the border”.

The sources also said India was now holding a major tank manoeuvre close to the Pakistani border. They said such manoeuvres in close proximity to the border were provocative and would make it difficult for Pakistan not to take defensive measures.

These sources also gave details of what they call “massive acquisition” of arms by India.

They said India was getting about 600 tanks from Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. — Special Representative [Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from London,] it is reported from Kuwait that the outcome of the talks held there between representatives of the U.A.R. and Saudi Arabia is a “draft agreement for a settlement in Yemen”. Such news is reassuring, and a compliment to the sincere efforts made by Kuwait to resolve the differences between these two Arab powers.

But it must be assessed against the background of persistent conflict of interests in Yemen and the significant fact that whatever agreement has been arrived at would appear to exclude the withdrawal of the 60,000 Egyptian troops from that country.

It has to be remembered that Egypt and Saudi Arabia have agreed before about ending the war in Yemen, a little more than a year ago. But the fighting has continued; indeed relations between the two countries at one stage deteriorated to the point where Egypt openly threatened to attack Saudi territory.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

ALTHOUGH dealing with the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan is a major political, security and strategic...
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...