Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has claimed that India may carry out a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, citing “credible intelligence” amid growing hostilities following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
In a post on social media early Wednesday, Attaullah Tarar accused India of using last week’s deadly assault in Pahalgam—which left 26 tourists dead—as a pretext for possible military action against Pakistan. However, he did not provide specific evidence, and Indian officials have not publicly addressed the accusation.
Dozens of tourist resorts in Indian-controlled Kashmir are closed after deadly attack
Tarar warned that any Indian aggression would be met with a strong and decisive response, stating that India would bear full responsibility for any escalation in the region.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also told Reuters earlier this week that an Indian attack was expected soon. He said Islamabad is on high alert but reiterated that Pakistan would only consider using nuclear weapons if its national survival was at stake.
New Delhi has yet to respond officially to the latest comments. The situation has worsened since India blamed Pakistani-linked elements for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, the most lethal assault on tourists in Kashmir in over 20 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Resistance Front (TRF), reportedly affiliated with the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the incident. Pakistan has denied involvement and has called for an independent investigation.
In the aftermath, both countries have taken retaliatory diplomatic steps, including cancelling visas and closing airspace. India also suspended its role in the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting Pakistan to consider legal action.
Skirmishes have also erupted along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing Kashmir between the two nations, sparking international concern.
The United States has urged both sides to act responsibly, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to speak with both foreign ministers. The UN has echoed the call for de-escalation, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres personally contacting both countries’ top diplomats to stress the importance of avoiding further conflict.
Source: Al Jazeera