2008 India–Pakistan standoff

{{Short description|Standoff between India and Pakistan}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{EngvarB|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{infobox military conflict | conflict = 2008 India–Pakistan standoff | partof = Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts | image = South asia.jpg | image_size = 300px | caption = Map of Indian subcontinent | date = November–December 2008 ({{Age in months, weeks and days|2008-11-01|2008-12-01}}) | place = Indo-Pakistan border | coordinates = | map_type = | map_relief = | latitude = | longitude = | map_size = | map_marksize = | map_caption = | map_label = | territory = | result = De-escalation Threat of war was neutralised Media of both side started the public side peace initiatives | status = | combatants_header = | combatant1 = {{flagicon|India}} India * {{army|IND}} * {{air force|IND}} * {{naval|IND}} | combatant2 = {{PAK}} * {{army|PAK}} * {{air force|PAK}} * {{navy|PAK}} | combatant3 = | commander1 = {{flagicon|India}} Manmohan Singh<ref name="hindu.com">{{Cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/07/stories/2008120757500100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207224014/http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/07/stories/2008120757500100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 December 2008 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=McCain warns Pakistan of Indian air strikes | date=7 December 2008}}</ref> (Prime Minister of India) {{flagicon|India}} Pratibha Patil (President of India) {{flagicon|India}} Pranab Mukherjee (Minister of External Affairs) 20px Gen. Deepak Kapoor (Chief of Army Staff) 20px ACM Fali Homi Major (Chief of Air Staff) 20px Adm. Sureesh Mehta (Chief of Naval Staff) | commander2 = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Yusuf Raza Gilani (Prime Minister of Pakistan) 20px Asif Ali Zardari (President of Pakistan) {{flagicon|Pakistan}} Ahmad Mukhtar (Defence Minister of Pakistan) 20px Gen Tariq Majid (Chairman Joint Chiefs) 20px Gen. Ashfaq Kayani (Chief of Army Staff) 20px ACM Tanvir Ahmad (Chief of Air Staff) 20px Adm. Noman Bashir (Chief of Naval Staff) 20px Adm. Asaf Humayun (Commandant Marines) | commander3 = | units1 = | units2 = | units3 = | strength1 = | strength2 = | strength3 = | casualties1 = | casualties2 = | casualties3 = | notes = | campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}} }}

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mumbai Terror Attacks: 7 Pakistanis Charged – Action Comes a Year After India's Worst Terrorist Attacks; 166 Die. |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/mumbai-terror-attacks-pakistanis-charged/story?id=9176592 |newspaper=ABC News |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=17 May 2010|first=Nick|last=Schifrin}}</ref><ref name="theglobeandmail.com">[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/americas/accused-in-india-massacre-claims-ties-to-pakistani-secret-service/article1981052/ Accused in India massacre claims ties to Pakistani secret service] ''The Globe and Mail'', 11 April 2011 11:15 pm EDT</ref> Pakistan and the ISI were believed by India to be directly responsible for the attacks, leading to strained relations between the two countries for a period of time. An Anti-Pakistani sentiment also rose in India, causing many, including the United States<ref name="hindu.com"/><ref name="The Daily Courier Editors">{{cite news|url=http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=63031&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&S=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718221433/http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=63031&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&S=1|title=McCain discusses Israel, economy in Prescott visit|archive-date=18 July 2011|author=Joanna Dodder Nellans|publisher=The Prescott Daily Courier|date=29 December 2008|access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> to call for probes into it.

The standoff was significant because both the countries were nuclear nations, having first successfully tested nuclear weapons in 1974 and 1998 respectively. The countries had already participated in 4 wars since their partition and independence in 1947, and relations between the two nations have been strained throughout their histories. The lone surviving terrorist of the Mumbai attacks confirmed that the terrorists came from Pakistan, and that they were trained by Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives. In 2011, he also confessed that the ISI had been supporting them throughout the attacks.<ref name="theglobeandmail.com"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811144123/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-12/us/29409412_1_rana-and-headley-isi-tahawwur-hussain-rana Rana, Headley implicate Pak, ISI in Mumbai attack during ISI chief's visit to US] ''The Times of India'', 12 April 2011, 12.13 pm IST</ref>

==Event and preparations==

===Military preparations=== The Mumbai attacks lasted from 26 to 29 November 2008. At a state lunch in Lahore on 7 December, the US Arizona Senator John McCain relayed a message from Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to several of Pakistan's dignitaries, including Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that if Pakistan did not arrest those involved with the attacks, India would begin aerial attacks against Pakistan.<ref name="hindu.com"/>

On 19 December, private intelligence agency, ''Stratfor'', in its latest report, said, "Indian military operations against targets in Pakistan have in fact been prepared, and await the signal to go forward". They also wrote that, "Indian military preparations, unlike previous cases, will be carried out in stealth". India's Border Security Force (BSF) has been put on high alert on the western sector, as well as the eastern sector, to prevent terrorist infiltration.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-may-still-strike-at-Pakistan-US-report/articleshow/3864009.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022170557/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-19/india/27914474_1_awami-national-party-pakistan-satyabrata-pal-stratfor | url-status=live | archive-date=22 October 2012 | work=The Times of India | title=India may still strike at Pakistan: US report | date=19 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma |first=Subramaniam |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=agKl44c4m8yg&refer=india |title=India May Consider 'Precision' Strikes in Pakistan (Update1) |publisher=Bloomberg |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref>

In mid December Indian fighter planes allegedly intruded Pakistan's air space at two places.<ref name="Ali Abbas Rizvi">{{cite news|title=IAF air intrusions: three scenarios|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=18961&Cat=13&dt=12/15/2008|access-date=21 September 2012|newspaper=The News|date=15 December 2008|author=Ali Abbas Rizvi|archive-date=18 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318201545/http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=18961&Cat=13&dt=12%2F15%2F2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 22 December, the Pakistan Air Force began combat air patrol (CAP) over several cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, to avert any further air intrusion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/india-has-attacked-pakistan_100134007.html |title=India has Attacked Pakistan |publisher=Thaindian.com |date=22 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524093537/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/india-has-attacked-pakistan_100134007.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/mumbaiterrorstrike/Story.aspx?ID=NEWEN20080077459|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221233851/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/mumbaiterrorstrike/Story.aspx?ID=NEWEN20080077459|title='Vigilant' Pak scrambles jets over skies, India cautious|archive-date=21 February 2012|publisher=NDTV.com |date=23 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said, "Pakistan defence forces and armed forces are ready to face any challenge, as Pakistan has the full right to defend itself". Pakistan PM Yousuf Raza Gilani said, "Pakistan remains united and is ready to fight anyone to defend itself".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/nation/2008-12-22/493105news.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409035528/http://zeenews.india.com/nation/2008-12-22/493105news.html|title=Defiant Pakistan says prepared to fight war|archive-date=9 April 2014|work=www.zeenews.com. |date=22 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> Pakistani Defense Minister Ahmad Mukhtar Chaudhry said, "If India tried to thrust war, then the armed forces of Pakistan have all the potential and right to defend [Pakistan]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14823581|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227044147/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14823581|title=Rumours of war create panic in Pakistan|archive-date=27 December 2008|date=22 December 2008|website=Sify|url-status=dead|access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref>

===Escalations and back-door response=== According to Pakistani media, India had started deploying troops along the Rajasthan border, and had tightened security in and around the defence airstrips. More radars and quick reaction teams were then deployed along the India-Pakistan border. Indian forces were on regular firing exercises at locations, like Lathi Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Mahsan in Bikaner, Suratgarh and Ganganagar.<ref name="indiatoday.digitaltoday.in">{{Cite web|author=Ramesh Vinayak |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=85&id=23314&Itemid=1&sectionid=4 |title=indiatoday.digitaltoday.in |publisher=indiatoday.digitaltoday.in |date=22 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref>

On 23 December, Kamal Hyder, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Pakistan, wrote that the Pakistan "navy, marines air force and army were on ''red alert''" and that "the chiefs of Pakistan's armed forces together with the Chairman Joint Chiefs were holding what had been described as an emergency meeting at joint headquarters in Rawalpindi". He also wrote that "[t]he Pakistan air force have been seen visibly in a number of locations flying close to the Pakistani-India border, in what is being described as an aggressive patrolling mode, following reports that India is planning pre-emptive strikes against locations in Pakistan". A Pakistan airforce spokesperson said "[i]n view of the current environment, the Pakistan Air Force has enhanced its vigilance".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2008/12/20081222102547699277.html |title=Pakistan military on 'high alert' |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=23 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, said that Pakistan would mount an equal response "within minutes", to any Indian attack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jtf.org/forum/index.php?topic=29731.0 |title=Pakistan spreading false tirade against India and Israel |publisher=Stratfor.com |date=10 December 2008 |access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> Pakistan continued to combat air patrol over several cities.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Ramesh Vinayak |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23412&sectionid=4&issueid=85&Itemid=1 |title=Pak jet fighters continue flying over Lahore for 2nd day |publisher=indiatoday.digitaltoday.in |date=23 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> [[File:F-16 Red Flag 2010 Pakistan Air Force 9 sqn Griffins.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The Pakistan Air Force F-16s in Action, Pakistan began Combat Air Patrol over several cities]] According to Indian sources the Taliban and affiliated groups openly declared their solidarity with Pakistan. The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban had proclaimed that they would send "thousands of (their) well-armed militants" to wage jihad against India if war should break out. Hundreds of would-be bombers were equipped with suicide jackets and explosive-laden vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Taliban-to-back-Pak-army-in-case-of-hostilities-with-India/articleshow/3878794.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022170614/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-23/pakistan/27943286_1_baitullah-mehsud-pak-army-taliban | url-status=live | archive-date=22 October 2012 | work=The Times of India | title=Taliban to back Pak army in case of hostilities with India | date=23 December 2008}}</ref>

On 24 December, P.K. Barbora, the air officer commanding-in-chief of Western Air Command, said "[t]he IAF has earmarked 5,000 targets in Pakistan. But whether we will cross the LoC or the International Border to hit the enemy targets will have to be decided by the political leadership of the country".<ref>{{Cite news|author=Sujan Dutta And Our Guwahati Bureau |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081225/jsp/frontpage/story_10299108.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225081013/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081225/jsp/frontpage/story_10299108.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 December 2008 |title=Unguided missiles in war of words |publisher=The Telegraph |location=India |date=25 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> India Today reported that "Indian Air Force fighter planes are engaged in round the clock sorties. An unusual hectic activity of Indian Air Force has been visible along the border for past some days".<ref>{{Cite web|author=Rohit Parihar |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23549&sectionid=4&issueid=85&Itemid=1 |title=Pak has deployed forces on Rajasthan border: BSF |publisher=India Today |date=24 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> On the same day, Stratfor confirmed that "the state government of Rajasthan has ordered residents of its border villages to be prepared for relocation".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stratfor.com/analysis/20081224_india_pakistan_signs_coming_war |title=India-Pakistan Signs Coming War |publisher=Stratfor.com |date=24 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> President Asif Ali Zardari said "We will defend the country till the last drop of our blood",<ref>{{Cite web|author=PTI |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/specials/We-will-defend-Pak-till-last-drop-of-blood-Zardari/articleshow/3887928.cms?/ |title=We will defend Pak till last drop of blood: Zardari |publisher=TimesofIndia.com |date=24 December 2008 |access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> and "we will defend the country till our last breath".<ref>{{Cite web|author=ANI |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Zardari-vows-to--defend-country--s-sovereignty-till-the-last-breath-/402803/ |title=Zardari Vows to Defend Country's Sovereignty till the Last Breath |publisher=Expressindia.com |date=25 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113152637/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Zardari-vows-to--defend-country--s-sovereignty-till-the-last-breath-/402803/ |archive-date=13 January 2009 }}</ref> Pakistan began deploying warplanes to forward air bases.<ref name="NEWEN20080077643 PM">{{Cite web |author=Forward deployment of Pak Air Force planes detected |url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080077643&ch=12/24/2008%209:23:00%20PM |title=www.ndtv.com |publisher=www.ndtv.com |date=24 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227041410/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080077643&ch=12%2F24%2F2008%209%3A23%3A00%20PM |archive-date=27 February 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> thumb|left|250px|All Mig-29s were put on high-alert and for New Delhi's air defence.

===Diplomacy and neutralisation=== On 25 December, however, the ruling UPA government in India played down apprehensions of an imminent military conflagration. The Indian Prime Minister made it clear that "nobody wanted war".<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/PM-led-N-Command-meeting-on-Saturday/articleshow/3887882.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811055800/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-25/india/27892218_1_nca-india-and-pakistan-nuclear-doctrine | url-status=live | archive-date=11 August 2011 | first1=Rajat | last1=Pandit | work=The Times of India | title=PM led N-Command meeting on Saturday | date=25 December 2008}}</ref> The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) played a subsequent role during this time and the Indian Air Force downplayed the sorties by PAF fighter jets, saying it was an air defence exercise.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://expressbuzz.com/news/iaf-eye-on-flight-of-fancy/29375.html |title=IAF Eye on Flight of Fancy |work=The New Indian Express |location=India |date=25 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528223540/http://expressbuzz.com/news/iaf-eye-on-flight-of-fancy/29375.html |archive-date=28 May 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> However, R. C. Dhyani, DIG of Rajasthan frontier BSF, said, "[a] lot of military movement is being noticed in districts just across the international border for the last few days, which is not normal" and "Pakistan has deployed more troops across border".<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pak-deploying-more-troops-along-borderBSF/articleshow/3888247.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022170627/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-25/india/27891635_1_international-border-bsf-officials-border-areas | url-status=live | archive-date=22 October 2012 | work=The Times of India | title=Pak deploying more troops along border:BSF | date=25 December 2008}}</ref> The Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Senator Raza Rabbani, said that any surgical strike into its territory would be taken as an act of war and would be repulsed with "full force",<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/surgical-strikes-will-be-treated-as-war-and-will-be-repulsed-pakistan_100134857.html |title=Surgical Strikes will be Treated as War and will be Repulsed – Pakistan |publisher=Thaindian.com |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524093937/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/surgical-strikes-will-be-treated-as-war-and-will-be-repulsed-pakistan_100134857.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and that "[e]ach and every inch of the country will be safeguarded".<ref>{{Cite web|author=Ramesh Vinayak |url=http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23553&sectionid=4&issueid=85&Itemid=1 |title=indiatoday.digitaltoday.in |publisher=indiatoday.digitaltoday.in |date=25 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> India moved MiG-29s to Hindon air base, located near New Delhi, in order "to protect the capital from aerial threats".<ref name="expressbuzz.com">[http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=IAF+eye+on+flight+of+fancy&artid=igC112jaMSg=&SectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SectionName=pWehHe7IsSU=&SEO=The%20Indian%20Air%20Force IAF closely monitoring Pakistan activity]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Express Buzz (Indian Express), 25 December 2008.</ref> The Pakistani city of Mianwali began a blackout.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/paf-not-to-scale-down-high-alert-till-threat-perception-goes-down_100134954.html |title=PAF not to Scale Down High Alert till Threat Perception goes Down |publisher=Thaindian.com |date=25 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524094002/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/paf-not-to-scale-down-high-alert-till-threat-perception-goes-down_100134954.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Pakistan continued deployment, and moved the 10th Brigade to the outskirts of Lahore, and the 3rd Armored Brigade to Jhelum. The 10th Infantry Division and the 11th Infantry Division had been placed on high alert.<ref name="zeenews.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2008-12-25/493778news.html |title=www.zeenews.com |publisher=www.zeenews.com |date=25 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524153233/http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2008-12-25/493778news.html |archive-date=24 May 2011 }}</ref> The Indian Army deployed quick reaction teams (QRTs) along the border, which "precede the movement of bridging equipment – to cross canals in Punjab – and of heavy guns".<ref>{{Cite news|author=Our Bureau |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081226/jsp/frontpage/story_10303841.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228020052/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081226/jsp/frontpage/story_10303841.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 December 2008 |title=www.telegraphindia.com |publisher=www.telegraphindia.com |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |location=Calcutta, India}}</ref>

Amir Mir of ''Daily News and Analysis'' wrote that "Pakistan's military leadership has advised president Asif Ali Zardari to take back his statement made last month, that his country would not be the first to use nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict with India".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1216582|title=Nuke option to help keep India in check|date=24 December 2008|work=dna}}</ref>

On 26 December, Pakistan cancelled all military leave<ref>{{Cite web|author=Bappa Majumdar/Kamran Haider |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-mumbai-pakistan-idUSTRE4BP16V20081226/ |title=Pakistan cancels army leave as India tensions rise |publisher=Reuters |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> and activated contacts with friendly countries and military partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=63264|title=The News International: Latest News Breaking, Pakistan News|work=thenews.com.pk}}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Pakistan deployed troops to "protect vital points along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and the international border with India".<ref name="thaindian.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/pakistan-moves-troops-to-indian-border_100135206.html |title=Pakistan Moves Troops to Indian Border |publisher=Thaindian.com |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524094042/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/pakistan-moves-troops-to-indian-border_100135206.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/dec/26mumterror-pakistan-deploys-fresh-forces-in-loc-and-border.htm |title=Pakistan moves fresh troops to border, cancels army leave |publisher=Stratfor.com |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> Pakistani Foreign Minister Quresh said that, "if war is imposed, we will respond to it like a brave, self-respecting nation".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/53159|title=Pak Foreign Minister asks people to hope for best but prepare for worst|publisher=newstrackindia.com|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a second meeting of the Nuclear Command Authority to "discuss all the options available to India".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\12\26\story_26-12-2008_pg7_11 |title=www.dailytimes.com.pk |publisher=www.dailytimes.com.pk |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> Pakistan deployed the 14th Infantry Division to Kasur and Sialkot, close to the border.<ref name="google.com2">[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkiMxbHNH0BqgpWA2ZG6VD6wVTmAD95AEORG0 www.google.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115142245/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkiMxbHNH0BqgpWA2ZG6VD6wVTmAD95AEORG0 |date=15 January 2009 }}</ref> India advised its citizens not to travel to Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|author=(AFP) – 26 December 2008 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hDNduMADf2n3zA9tZy-nM30dS7OQ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731183139/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hDNduMADf2n3zA9tZy-nM30dS7OQ |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 July 2012 |title=Google News |date=26 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with the chiefs of the Indian air force, army, and navy.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/PM_calls_military_meet_/articleshow/3897344.cms | work=The Times of India | title=Politics/Nation | date=26 December 2008}}</ref>

On 27 December, India's largest opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), called for all travel between India and Pakistan to be stopped, and for the recall of the Indian High Commissioner from Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/stop-all-travel-between-india-and-pakistan-bjp-tells-government_100135632.html |title=Stop all Travel Between India and Pakistan BJP tells Government |publisher=Thaindian.com |date=27 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524094234/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/stop-all-travel-between-india-and-pakistan-bjp-tells-government_100135632.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Pakistani Army alerted retired army personnel to be ready to be called up to active duty.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/28-Dec-2008/retired-mily-men-alerted-for-service |title=Retired Military Men Alerted for Service |publisher=Nation.com.pk |date=28 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219190805/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/28-Dec-2008/Retired-mily-men-alerted-for-service |archive-date=19 February 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 28 December, Pakistan postponed all officer training courses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/pakistan-postpones-army-courses-fearing-a-war-like-situation_100135811.html |title=Pakistan Postpones Army Courses, Fearing a War-Like Situation |publisher=Thaindian.com |date=28 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=24 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524094303/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/pakistan-postpones-army-courses-fearing-a-war-like-situation_100135811.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 29 December, the leaders of the Indian and Pakistani armies spoke over their red telephone, to avert an accidental nuclear war.<ref>{{Cite news|author= Previous post Next post |url=http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/12/india-pakistan.html |title=blog.wired.com |publisher=blog.wired.com |date= 29 December 2008|access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> The President of the BJP, Rajnath Singh, called for a joint India-US military action against Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081230/jsp/nation/story_10319084.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526022648/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081230/jsp/nation/story_10319084.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2011 |title=www.telegraphindia.com |publisher=www.telegraphindia.com |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011 |location=Calcutta, India}}</ref> John McCain said, "The Indians are on the verge of some kind of attack on Pakistan".<ref name="The Daily Courier Editors"/>

On 30 December, Pakistani media stated: "The service chiefs of all of the branches of India's military were told to stay in the country in order to achieve 'complete readiness'. All units that are on exercises have been ordered to remain so indefinitely, and to indicate any equipment or ammunition they need".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\12\30\story_30-12-2008_pg1_4 |title=www.dailytimes.com.pk |publisher=www.dailytimes.com.pk |date=30 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> However, this was not backed by Indian or international media.

==== Pakistani deployments ==== The Pakistan military had cancelled all leave.<ref name="google.com">[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkiMxbHNH0BqgpWA2ZG6VD6wVTmAD95A94M00 www.google.com]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref> Elements of the Pakistan Air Force had been deployed to front line bases.<ref name="NEWEN20080077643 PM"/> The IV Corp, with 60,000 troops, has been deployed to Lahore.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pak-moves-army-closer-to-Punjab-border-builds-new-bunkers/articleshow/3898352.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022180855/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-27/india/27889856_1_punjab-border-border-areas-pakistan-army | url-status=live | archive-date=22 October 2012 | first1=Ajay | last1=Sura | work=The Times of India | title=Pak moves army closer to Punjab border, builds new bunkers | date=27 December 2008}}</ref> Pakistan had deployed the 3rd Armored Brigade to Jhelum, and the 10th Infantry Brigade, with 5,000 troops, to Lahore.<ref name="zeenews.com"/> The 10th Division had been deployed to Ichogul and the 11th Division had been deployed to Tilla. The Pakistan Army combat brigades had been deployed to Kashmir and the Jammu sector of the border.<ref name="thaindian.com"/> The 14th Division, with 20,000 troops, had been deployed to Kasur and Sialkot.<ref name="google.com"/> The ground forces were logistically and militarily supported by the Pakistan Navy's Punjab contingent and Pakistan Marines forces on each side of Pakistan.<ref name="google.com"/> The Pakistan Navy deployed the sizeable unit of its surface fleet and submarines, including PNS ''Hamza'' and PNS ''Khalid'', to pick up to intelligence movements and positions of the Indian warships to prevent them to reach near Karachi and coastal areas of Balochistan.<ref name="google.com"/>

==== Indian deployments ==== India had put its Border Security Force, India's border patrol agency, on high alert.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma |first=Subramaniam |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=agKl44c4m8yg |title=www.bloomberg.com |publisher=www.bloomberg.com |date=20 December 2008 |access-date=31 March 2011}}</ref> MiG-29s had been deployed to Hindon air base, to protect New Delhi. Later IAF sources claimed that the move was a result of intelligence inputs of an air attack on Delhi.<ref name="expressbuzz.com"/> The Indian Navy had moved six warships, including the INS ''Jalashwa'' and the INS ''Ranveer'', to the west coast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article19775.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222001436/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/article19775.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 February 2014 |title=Ceremonial frenzy at Wagah border increases |work=The New Indian Express |date=27 December 2008 |access-date=19 April 2013}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2008 India-Pakistan standoff}} Category:Indian–Pakistani border conflicts Category:2008 in India Category:2008 in Indian television Category:2008 in Pakistan Category:2008 in Pakistani television Category:Manmohan Singh administration Category:Government of Yousaf Raza Gillani Category:2008 controversies Category:November 2008 in India Category:December 2008 in India Category:November 2008 in Pakistan Category:December 2008 in Pakistan Category:Armed standoffs in Asia Category:Conflicts in 2008 Category:Military operations of the Kashmir conflict