India hardens tone; Pakistan calls up jets

NEW DELHI, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Pakistan scrambled fighter jets over its larger cities as Indian officials said all options were available in the capture of terrorists who attacked Mumbai.

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Indian diplomats in New Delhi Monday the country has acted "with utmost restraint" so far but would "take all measures necessary as we deem fit" to capture suspects in the coordinated attacks on Mumbai, The Washington Post reported Tuesday

Pakistan has denied involvement in November's attacks on India's financial and entertainment hub in which more than 170 people died and at least 230 people were wounded.

A senior government official told The Post that Mukherjee's comments were an "an expression of political will that India will not take this lying down." The source also said the option of "precision airstrikes" on terrorist training camps in Pakistan would remain an option if Pakistani officials did not take effective action against the groups.

Pakistan put its air force on high alert, with several fighter jets flying over the capital, Islamabad, as well as as Rawalpindi, Lahore and Kashmir. The action coincided with a visit by U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen to meet with Pakistani army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani.

A Pakistani official told the Post Kiyani told Mullen that Pakistan was working to ease tensions with India.

"We want peace with India, but any aggression will be matched by a befitting response," the source quoted Kiyani as saying.