India plans attack on Pakistani militants

India's security forces have been preparing a war plan for a massive air and ground attack on militant bases in Pakistan and on its supply routes to China.

As President George Bush's calls on both sides to negotiate went unheeded last night, Indian military sources said plans to attack Pakistan have been accelerated because of the approaching monsoon season which starts in three weeks.

Indian jets, including French-made Mirage and Russian MiGs, have been loaded with "smart bombs", while special forces commandos have been put on stand-by for strikes into Pakistan-held Kashmir and beyond.

Senior Indian military sources said that planning for an invasion, modelled on the American-led war on the Taliban and al Qaeda, had been advanced because they expect militants to mark the visit to the region by Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, with an attack.

A senior Indian officer said today: "There is every reason to fear that they will strike during the Rumsfeld visit and we have to be ready for an instant response."

Pakistan's claim to have cut back on its support for the Islamic militants fighting across the Line of Control which separates the two sides in Kashmir has had some backing from Washington.

"We do have some indication that Pakistani actions go beyond words," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

However, George Fernandes, the Indian defence minister, claimed that there had been no substantial reduction in the infiltration of guerrillas who could ignite a conflict.