India 'ready for war'

Pakistanis burn an effigy of the Indian prime minister

India's army chief says his country is "fully prepared" for war with Pakistan and described the situation on the border as serious.

But the army chief, General S Padmanabhan, ruled out the first use of nuclear weapons by India.

I have not gone to do an exercise. I have gone to be ready for war

General Padmanabhan

The general's remarks came as Pakistani officials said a much-heralded address to the nation by President Pervez Musharraf would be broadcast on Saturday.

The Pakistani leader is believed to be preparing to announce measures to combat religious extremism and curb militant groups.

Tension between the two nuclear rivals has been high ever since a suicide attack on the Indian parliament in December which Delhi blamed on Pakistani-based Islamic militants.

India is stepping up diplomatic and military pressure on Pakistan to reign in the militants in the latest flashpoint centred on the disputed region of Kashmir.

'Serious'

General Padmanabhan told journalists in the Indian capital Delhi that the situation along the border with Pakistan was grim and close to a war like situation.

"When two countries mobilise their forces and place them on the border, it is not normal. The situation can comfortably be described as serious," he said.

Thousands of villagers have fled the border areas

The general reiterated India's policy of no first nuclear strike but warned that his country would respond strongly if it was the target of any such attack.

"The perpetrator of that particular outrage shall be punished so severely that their continuation of any form of fray will be doubtful."

The BBC's Nick Childs in Delhi says the general's comments were clearly meant in part to keep the diplomatic pressure on Islamabad.

But he says they are also a reminder of the potential risks involved in this standoff.

US concern

US Secretary of State Colin Powell is to visit the two countries next week in an attempt to reduce tensions over Kashmir.

Padmanabhan - keeping up the pressure on Pakistan

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan warned on Thursday of the danger of a war breaking out by accident because of the massive build up of troops on the border.

He called on India to relocate its troops and agree to talks.

President Musharraf is believed to be preparing a further crackdown on Islamic militants, after detaining leading members of two groups.

But the Indian army chief said a lot more needed to be done to restrain the militants.

Residents along the border between the two countries have been moving out as both sides increased troop deployment.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir in a bitter dispute that has endured for more than 50 years.