NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD, 22 December — Fears of a fourth Indo-Pak wars heightened as India recalled its ambassador to Pakistan yesterday and decided to terminate bus and train service to Pakistan from Jan. 1 to show its deep displeasure with what it called Islamabad’s failure to crack down on two Pakistan-based groups India blames for a suicide attack on its parliament complex. (See also Page 2)

It is the first time since 1971, when India and Pakistan fought a war that led to the creation of Bangladesh, that India is recalling its ambassador to Pakistan.

"Since the Dec. 13 attack on the Indian parliament, we have seen no attempt on the part of Pakistan to take action against the organizations involved," said Nirupama Rao, spokeswoman for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, reading an official statement in New Delhi. She would not address questions on whether India meant to break diplomatic ties.

A top Indian minister, however, clarified that diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan were being scaled down and not being severed altogether. "Diplomatic relations are being downgraded. It does not mean we are ending diplomatic relations," Sushma Swaraj, minister for information and broadcasting, said on Star Television.

Vijay Nambiar, Indian ambassador in Islamabad, is expected to return to India early next week.

Pakistan’s reaction was statesman-like. Foreign Ministry spokesman Aziz Ahmad Khan said Pakistan will maintain its ambassador in India and "keep channels open" with its archrival. "Pakistan does not intend to respond in kind," Khan said, reading a government statement in Islamabad. "In the prevailing situation, it is all the more important to keep channels of communication open. Pakistan will persevere in its policy of restraint," he said.

Khan recalled that Pakistan had asked for "credible evidence" to support India’s charges of Pakistani involvement in the parliament attack. He said he regretted that India had refused Islamabad’s offer to jointly investigate the attack.

Pakistan also expressed concern over reports of large troop movements by India along the border in Kashmir and several sectors to the south. Khan said the troop movements, which follow "provocative and threatening statements" by India, would aggravate tensions. "Naturally Pakistan would be obliged to take all appropriate countermeasures," Khan said.

Though the Pakistan government reacted coolly to the Indian decision, the country’s leading politicians were up in arms. Professor Ghafoor Ahmad of Jamaat-e-Islami, Iftikhar Gilani of Pakistan People’s Party and Neelofar Bakhtiar of Muslim League (Mian Azhar faction) termed the Indian move "ominous". They vowed to stand together in the event of the diplomatic warfare taking an ugly turn.

The president of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, accused India of building up troops and taking potshots at villages from across the disputed border. He said New Delhi’s war threats cannot be taken lightly. "The movement of Indian troops toward the border is a cause of serious concern. I have already ordered the civil defense to be in a state of preparedness... There won’t be any neglect from our side," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "India might resort to some sort of action. We are ready to face them. They would be given a befitting reply if they dare."

Analysts in India said the ambassador’s recall may have been to calm domestic opinion as public outrage over terrorist strikes grows. "It’s a domestic ploy. The government has no good military choices. Nor does it want to be seen to be dependent on the US to discipline anti-India outfits," said Kanti Bajpai, international affairs professor at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University. "This is a symbolic protest. It won’t prevent a war — nor will it provoke one."