Indian war planes have begun exercises along the border with Pakistan, where the armies of two nations have faced off for the past two months.
India's air force chief said Tuesday that the maneuvers are being conducted by the western air command, which along with the army and the navy, has been on high alert since the December 13 attack on India's parliament blamed on Pakistan-based militant groups. The maneuvers follow India's rejection of Pakistani calls for talks to end the dangerous confrontation. India says its forces will return to peacetime positions only if Islamabad hands over 20 men accused of terrorism and halts the flow of Islamic militants into Indian Kashmir.
Defense Minister George Fernandes told a news conference Tuesday that India will not move the troops away from the border until its conditions are met.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said in Washington last week that he has no intention to return the 20 men listed by India unless India begins a dialogue with Pakistan.