Pakistan appeals for talks on troops and Kashmir
Pakistan is offering to hold talks with India about a mutual withdrawal of troops from their border.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said a withdrawal agreement should be followed by a comprehensive dialogue on the Kashmir dispute.
He said Pakistan would also be willing to restore road, air and rail links which were severed last month by India after the December 13 terrorist attack on its parliament.
Aziz Ahmed Khan added: "Pakistan is willing to start talks with India over a phased withdrawal of troops on both sides from their forward positions to their peace time locations."
The latest offer of talks comes a day after Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee demanded Pakistan leave the part of Kashmir under its control before holding any peace talks.
Pakistan, which claims the Indian part of Kashmir, has expressed disappointment over Mr Vajpayee's comments, and says New Delhi has not responded positively to offers of talks to resolve tensions over the divided Himalayan region.
Mr Khan said Pakistan will show patience and remain steadfast in its peace efforts.
"Pakistan will not be the first to initiate military action anywhere along the international border." he said. But if attacked, Pakistan will reply with full force, he added.
On the outskirts of Srinagar, the Kashmir's summer capital, Indian troops have been engaged in a heavy gun battle with three militants hiding in a house. One trooper was killed, the army said.
"We tried to persuade the militants, through the locals, that they should surrender. They did not," said Tirtha Acharya, a spokesman for the Border Security Force.
