Pakistan has claimed it possesses “credible intelligence” suggesting that India is planning imminent military action, further escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly attack in Kashmir on April 22. On Wednesday, Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, stated that the intelligence indicates an Indian strike could occur within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Tarar warned that any “military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively,” underlining the gravity of the situation. This comes after India accused Pakistan of supporting the Pahalgam attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, an allegation Islamabad has strongly denied.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the attack, vowed to track down the perpetrators “to the ends of the earth.” His party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reinforced this stance, declaring on X (formerly Twitter) that India would exhibit “zero tolerance for terrorism.” The party also asserted that Modi had given Indian forces “a free hand to respond decisively” to the attack.
In retaliation for the incident, New Delhi has taken several aggressive measures, including suspending a crucial water-sharing agreement with Pakistan. Islamabad has labeled this suspension as “unlawful.” India has also instructed all Pakistani nationals to leave its territory, further straining ties between the two countries.
The airspace between the two nations has also been closed to each other’s aircraft, adding a logistical dimension to the ongoing tensions.
Both nations have long-standing disputes over the region of Kashmir, and incidents like the recent attack often serve to exacerbate the volatile relationship. The international community watches closely as the two countries navigate this precarious moment, concerned about the potential consequences of a military escalation between two nuclear powers.
For now, both sides remain locked in a standoff, with Pakistan cautioning against any military action and India emphasizing its resolve to counter threats decisively. The situation remains fluid, with significant implications for regional stability.
