- Pakistan warns of an imminent Indian strike, calling it a response to a deadly Kashmir attack used as a “false pretext.”
- Tensions rise as India detains over 1,500 in Kashmir amid fears of retaliation.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, has claimed the country possesses “credible intelligence” indicating that India may launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours.
His statement follows a sharp escalation in tensions after India accused Pakistan of harbouring militants responsible for last week’s deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. The incident left 26 tourists dead — the most lethal assault on civilians in the region in two decades. Islamabad has firmly denied the accusations. Furthermore, there has been no credible evidence indicating that Pakistan was responsible for the act.
Tarar warned that India was using the incident as a “false pretext” for aggression, adding: “Any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively.”
The attack took place near the tourist town of Pahalgam, located in the disputed Himalayan region claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, and long a flashpoint for conflict. The two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars over Kashmir, and in recent days, troops have exchanged sporadic small-arms fire across the border.
Since the incident in Pahalgam 2000 Kashmiri Muslims were reportedly detained and tortured, with further arrests made in recent days.
There has been a recent surge of violence against innocent Muslims in Kashmir and India perpetrated by Hindutva extremists.
