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JODHPUR, India, Dec 20 (AFP) - Hundreds of tanks and other army vehicles have been moving towards India's western border with Pakistan, army officials and witnesses said Thursday.

An AFP reporter in Jodhpur in the border state of Rajasthan said more than 500 tanks, army jeeps, trucks and medical vans had been seen moving towards the border from Tuesday night to Wednesday night.

According to officials, the frontier with Pakistan has been put on "high alert" since the December 13 attack on Indian parliament by five armed gunmen, who India has identified as Pakistan-based militants backed by Pakistani military intelligence.

Late Wednesday evening, authorities in Jodhpur conducted a "mock blackout" exercise, cutting off electricity in the entire city and reviewing the response of the emergency services.

Officials also said the army has given instructions to the railway authorities that some local and long distance trains may be commandeered for troop movements. Leave for all railway employees has been cancelled.

The transport authorities have also begun impounding civilian trucks and other heavy vehicles.

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Air Force have been put on high alert and senior BSF officer B.D. Sharma said Pakistan Rangers had been taking up positions on the other side of the border.

On Wednesday, Indian Army chief General S. Padmanabhan said Pakistan was massing troops along the frontier.

"There is a buildup on the other side. They have moved certain forces in there. Certain forces which should have gone back have not gone back," Padmanabhan said.

India has said it is keeping all options open in considering how to respond to last week's attack on parliament.

Harliners have been calling for strikes against alleged terrorist training camps in Pakistani territory.

Islamabad has denied any involvement of its intelligence services in the attack and warned of "grave consequences" if India undertakes any cross-border operation.

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