Musharraf denies diverting U.S. aid

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. military assistance to Pakistan was not used to strengthen the national deterrent capability against nuclear-armed India, said Pervez Musharraf.

Indian media outlets reported Monday that Musharraf admitted to using U.S. military aid meant to fight regional extremists instead to counter the threat from India.

The U.S. State Department said it took the allegations "seriously" regarding the claims of the misuse of military aid to Pakistan.

Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan, told an audience in the United States where he is on a lecture tour that the allegations were false, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reports.

The former president and retired military general said Pakistan "never violated any agreement or mis-utilized U.S. funds for strengthening its defenses against India."

He said military equipment purchased with U.S. assistance moved where his national troops were deployed, adding Washington was aware of all Pakistani military activity.

"The United States at the time was aware of what we were doing," he said.