New Delhi - Pakistan called for efforts to avert a full war yesterday as Indian ground and air forces escalated attacks on guerrillas hiding in the Kashmir mountains. India said air strikes had been launched against the militants on its side of the military Line of Control in the north of the disputed Himalayan region, and steps had been taken to ward off 800 more who were waiting to cross from Pakistan.
Pakistan, which denies India's charge that the raiders are Pakistani army regulars or Pakistani-backed mercenaries, has sounded a note of conciliation. "I invite the government of India to adopt the way of reconciliation," its official APP news agency quoted Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif as saying.