In a column on Tuesday in the country's the Nation newspaper, former Pakistan Air Force group captain S.M.

WSJ: Pakistan's Newly Elected Leader Seeks Better India Ties

Her body was removed from the hospital -- carried above a crowd of supporters -- late Thursday night, and a Pakistan Air Force plane is flying the body to Sukkur, accompanied by her husband and three children, said Pakistan People's Party leader Sen.

CNN: Benazir Bhutto assassinated

The army's drive to upgrade its equipment comes amidst an overall modernization drive of India's armed forces--including its air force and navy--as neighbors China and Pakistan also expand their military capabilities.

WSJ: India to Spend $1.5 Billion to Upgrade Army Vehicles

In May, Fali Homi Major, then India's air force chief, said China posed more of a threat than Pakistan to his country.

FORBES: New Asia

Since some of Pakistan's jihadist groups declared war on their country in 2007, they have attacked air-force bases, buses carrying servicemen and at least five offices of the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate, the military spy agency that spawned and nurtured many of the extremist outfits.

ECONOMIST: More extremist attacks��and establishment fantasies

The deal's finalization would be key to the efforts by India's air force to upgrade its mainly Soviet-vintage weaponry to partly catch up with China as well as Pakistan which are also upgrading their defense equipment.

WSJ: India Still to Finalize Terms for Jet Deal With Dassault