The deadly terrorist strikes on Mumbai during the week which led to the death of over 180 people increased tensions between the two sub-continental rivals. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attacks as ‘detestable’. He also called on both countries to jointly cooperate to fight terrorism1. In the face of charges that the attackers had Pakistani links, Islamabad agreed to send its ISI chief, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha to India, an offer which was later withdrawn. Reports indicated that the initial decision to send the ISI chief was probably taken under US pressure2. With tensions mounting between the two countries, analysts believed that there was likelihood of heavy deployment of Pakistani troops on the border facing India in order to be prepared for any possible Indian moves3.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who was on a visit to India during the week, also condemned the attack. During the Home Secretary-level talks which took place on November 25, the two countries agreed to fight jointly fight terror under the framework of the composite dialogue and not to indulge in a blame game4.

Prime Minister Gilani meanwhile stated during a televised interview that US missile attacks inside Pakistani territory were adversely affecting the strategy of the Pakistan army to counter militancy in the tribal areas5. The spokesman for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. Richard Blanchette on his part noted that co-operation with Pakistan was the “best ever6.” At least 25 militants were killed and 40 arrested in security operations in Michini area on November 24.

In other developments, IMF executive board approved a loan worth $7.6 billion loan on November 25 “to restore the confidence of domestic and foreign investors7.”

• 1. Syed Irfan Raza, “Zardari calls it a detestable act,” Dawn, November 28, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/28/top3.htm
• 2. Qudssia Akhlaque, “ Rice call prompted hasty decision to send DG ISI,” The News, November 30, 2008, at http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 3. “Pak troops to move to Indian border if tensions escalate,” The News, November 30, 2008, at http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 4. Syed Irfan Raza, “Accord with India to fight terror together: FIA, CBI to work in concert; visa regime to be liberalized,” Dawn, November 26, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/26/top2.htm
• 5. “US strikes pave way for suicide attacks: Gilani,” Daily Times, November 24, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\11\24\story_24-11-2008_pg1_1
• 6. “NATO says co-operation with Pakistan ‘best ever’,” Daily Times, November 24, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\11\24\story_24-11-2008_pg1_5
• 7. Anwar Iqbal, “IMF terms package a strong signal to donors: $3bn to be released initially, $13bn needed for ‘stabilisation’,” Dawn, November 26, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/26/top1.htm