ISLAMABAD ( PERVEEZ MAJID MALIK)Local media in Pakistan has said that the miltary has been put on high alert on Monday over a possible strike by India.

Tension between the two countries has been high over last month's attacks in Mumbai.

Kamal Hyder, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Pakistan, said the local media attributed its reports to military sources, who were confirming that all three armed forces including the navy, air force and army were on red alert.

"The Pakistani air force have been seen visibly in a number of locations flying close to the Pakistani-India border in what is being described as an aggressive patrolling mode, following reports that India is planning pre-emptive strikes against locations in Pakistan.

"Also chiefs of the three forces are right now meeting in what is being described as an emergency meeting in general headquarters in Rawalpindi," Hyder said.

"Only after the meeting is over we would come to know if it is a red alert or a heightened  state of alert."

Hyder said that observers are saying that the Congress party in India has lots a great deal of prestige due to the Mumbai attacks and therefore may try a show of strength in Pakistan.

Delayed civilian flights

Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency quoted a Pakistan airline official as saying the Pakistani air force conducted an exercise on Monday causing delay to two civilian flights.

"Two of our flights were delayed for some time because the PAF was conducting some exercises but now everything is back on normal," said Muhammad Latif, a spokesman for the airlines.

The flights were delayed at the airport in the eastern city of Lahore, near the Indian border, Latif said, while dismissing television news channel reports of a high alert at Pakistani airports.
   
An air force spokesman declined to comment when asked about an exercise saying only: "In view of the current environment, the PAF has enhanced its vigilance."

Pakistan last week summoned a senior Indian diplomat in Islamabad to protest against recent alleged airspace violations by Indian warplanes.

Indian fighter jets had crossed into Pakistani airspace over Kashmir and Punjab province, the government said on December 13.

Pakistan said its own fighter jets were scrambled to chase off the intruders, but it also played down the incident by describing the violations as "technical" and "inadvertent".
   
India denied any violation of Pakistani airspace.

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