Gilani says India, Pak can't afford tension along border

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistani warplanes conducted sorties for the second straight day amid a war of words with India over the Mumbai attack, Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani today said the two countries cannot afford tension along their border.

"Nobody wants tensions on the borders and we are moving responsibly and with caution," Gilani told reporters on the sidelines of an official ceremony here.

He said the operational preparedness of the country's armed forces is at an "optimal level" and they were prepared for any eventuality.

The nation and the army are united to defend the country and its territorial integrity, Gilani added.

Pakistan wants good neighbourly relations with India based on mutual respect, he said. "The government is aware of the situation in the region and will act as things move."

Asked about India's stance that Pakistan had ample evidence linking elements in the country to the Mumbai attacks, Gilani said his government would have publicised any evidence received from India.

Without elaborating, he said "certain elements" were trying to escalate tension between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Pakistani warplanes conducted sorties over several cities, including Lahore, for the second day today. The Pakistan Air Force yesterday enhanced its vigilance in the wake of mounting tensions in the region after the Mumbai attacks.

Combat jets operating from the Sargodha airbase, one of the PAF's main bases, flew over Lahore and conducted surveillance flights in the area between the two cities in eastern Punjab province.

The PAF had yesterday conducted sorties over Lahore, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, sparking fears among people that the situation with India had worsened.