Pakistan's LoC attack linked to endgame in Afghanistan

The US is increasingly patching up with the Pak army because they give final touches to the exit plans from Afghanistan. The endgame in that country could embolden the Pak army and spell trouble for India-Pak ties, feels observers and experts. HT reports. The thin line between war and peace

The endgame in Afghanistan could embolden the Pakistan army and spell trouble for India-Pakistan ties, feels observers and experts.

The US is increasingly patching up with the Pakistan army because they give final touches to the exit plans from Afghanistan. "The brutal murder and Pakistan army's aggression should be seen in the context of the larger security architecture in South Asia and Afghanistan," said former diplomat M K Bhadrakumar.

"We cannot have illusions about geography. Pakistan has a role to play, and the Americans probably need them at this juncture more than ever before," a source said.

That would result in countries like the US putting less pressure on Pakistan to act against terror, even as Pakistan would seeks their help on issues such as Kashmir.

"We could see the United States state department talking about the Kashmir issue after a long time during this incident," said Bhadrakumar.

India and Pakistan had sparred over the Kashmir issue in the United Nations last year too.

Though both Pakistan and India are bracing for the elections, sources said Pakistan feels that it got less out of the resumed peace-process. Pakistan has been keen on a visit by the Indian Prime Minister, which looks almost impossible now.

Islamabad also had reservations about India making the dialogue process conditional on the progress in the Mumbai terror attack investigation.

However, the moot question lies on whether Pakistan army is changing its tack now.

"We were given to understand that the Pakistan army is firmly behind the peace process between the two countries. This incident raises doubts," an official said.