Pakistan’s President Gen Pervez Musharraf met his top politicians today, assuring them that the armed forces are capable of countering any Indian aggression.

India and Pakistan have moved ever closer to war as the rival armies shelled each other in Kashmir and thousands of border villagers were evacuated.

Overnight mortar shelling between Indian and Pakistani troops had border villagers convinced today that war is coming.

As fears of a war with India escalated, Pakistani stocks dropped again in early trading today, deepening a week-long slump, dealers said.

Two retired Pakistani nuclear scientists, suspected of having links with Osama bin Laden have been detained again for questioning.

Thousands of Islamic militants clashed with police across Pakistan today, hurling stones, burning cars and setting a fast-food restaurant on fire.