ISLAMABAD, March 8: India has reduced the number of troops massed on the border with Pakistan, a high-ranking Pakistani intelligence source told newsmen on Friday.

“There are credible reports that we have received that the Indian forces have thinned out from various positions from the borders along Pakistan,” he said.

“We have also received (intelligence) reports that the Indian air force which was at a ready-to-strike position has also been stepped down,” he said.

ADVANI INVIDED: Pakistan has invited Indian Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani to visit Islamabad in a move seen aimed at easing tensions, an official said on Friday.

The invitation was made verbally by Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider through Indian Information Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is attending a Saarc ministerial conference on information and communications.

“Yes, he has extended an invitation yesterday and now it is up to the Indian side how to respond to this,” an interior ministry official said.—AFP/Reuters