Pakistan cancels military leave

Pakistan has cancelled leave for members of its military due to fears of a confrontation with India following last month’s Mumbai attacks.

The decision on Friday came after Pakistan’s armed forces were placed on high alert.

“Leave has been cancelled because of the situation. All soldiers have been asked to report to duty,” an official speaking anonymously said.

US officials are watching with growing concern as reports suggest that Pakistan is massing troops on the India border.

…India, for its part, has held talks with Pakistan allies Saudi Arabia and China to mount pressure on Islamabad to take action against fighters operating from its soil.

Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, arrived in New Delhi on Friday for talks with Pranab Mukherjee, his Indian counterpart.

Saudi Arabia has immense leverage with the Pakistani establishment because of the amount of funding it sends, including subsidised amounts of oil.

Al-Jazeera