Mass arrests herald Musharraf speech

India says it is ready for war with Pakistan

Police in Pakistan have arrested more than 200 suspected militants ahead of a key speech by President Pervez Musharraf, seen widely as an opportunity to satisfy Indian demands that he curbs Islamic extremism.

Most of the militants are said to be from two Muslim groups blamed for much of the sectarian violence within Pakistan.

They are also reported to include some members of two groups India blames for the suicide attack on its parliament in December which has led to the current high tension between the two nuclear powers.

General Musharraf is said to have been preparing his TV address to the nation due at 1930 local time (1430 GMT)for several days.

Clear indication

The latest wave of militant arrests took place in the province of Sindh.

Musharraf has a balancing act to perform

The BBC's Zaffar Abbas in Islamabad says they are the first clear indication that President Musharraf's speech will focus on containing religious violence in Pakistan.

Some groups involved in such violence may be banned, with special tribunals set up to try suspects.

But our correspondent says General Musharraf is also aware he must use his speech to satisfy international opinion that he is taking effective measures to stop what India says is cross-border terrorism.

On Friday, United States Secretary of State Colin Powell warned Delhi not to expect the speech to produce instant results.

Leaders held

Tension between the two nuclear rivals has been high ever since the suicide attack on the Indian parliament in which 14 people were killed.

Measures already taken by the Pakistan Government include the arrest of the leaders of the two Pakistani-based groups India blames for the attack, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Thousands of villagers have fled the border areas

Many of their offices have been closed down.

Both groups are committed to ending India's control of part of the disputed territory of Kashmir - the biggest thorn in relations between the two countries.

The original draft of General Musharraf's speech includes measures to reform religious schools or madrassahs which are perceived to encourage militancy.

But there may be some last-minute changes because of international pressure.

Correspondents say the Pakistani leader is concerned about adverse reaction at home to his speech and will have to perform a difficult balancing act to please all sides.

US urges patience

Mr Powell, who flies out next week to India and Pakistan, said the forthcoming speech would be a key moment.

India's army chief has ruled out a first nuclear strike

He urged India to be patient with Mr Musharraf.

"We'll see what actions are taken at the time of the speech and also after the speech and so don't judge the speech in and of itself as a total response on the part of President Musharraf," he said.

He added that the Pakistani leader ought to be given credit for actions he had already taken to combat militancy.

India's army chief, General Padmanabhan, told journalists in Delhi on Friday that the situation along the border with Pakistan was close to a war-like situation.