<
div>
Pakistan’s information minister announced on Wednesday that Islamabad has “reliable intelligence” suggesting India is planning a military strike within the next 24-36 hours.
This statement follows after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly authorized his country’s armed forces to respond to a deadly attack in disputed Kashmir last week in any manner they deem fit.
26 Hindu tourists were killed in the attack near the mountain town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Pakistani Information Minister’s Statement
Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that New Delhi plans to use the recent militant attack on civilians as a “pretext” for further military action.
“Pakistan has reliable intelligence indicating that India aims to carry out military action against Pakistan within the next 24-36 hours, under the guise of unfounded and fabricated allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident,” Tarar posted on social media platform X.
He stated that Islamabad is willing to cooperate with a “credible, transparent, and independent investigation” by a neutral commission into the Pahalgam attack.
“Pakistan reiterates that any military adventurism by India would be firmly and decisively responded to,” he added.
What Modi Told Indian Army Chiefs
On Tuesday, Modi met with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, his national security advisor, and senior generals at his private residence, according to government sources cited by Reuters and AFP news agencies.
According to the sources, he gave the military chiefs “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of their response to the terror attack.
India blames Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack, accusing it of funding and encouraging Islamist militancy in Kashmir.
Islamabad denies these allegations, insisting it only provides moral and diplomatic support for self-determination for Muslim-majority Kashmir, and has called for an independent investigation into the attack.
Kashmir Civilians Fortify Bunkers, Tourist Sites Closed
Residents in Kashmir have begun reinforcing their underground bunkers amid the ongoing high-altitude crossfire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The bunkers, built into the Himalayan mountains, are used to store farm produce but could serve as shelters during times of conflict.
Many locals rely heavily on the tourism industry in the region, but local authorities have closed many tourist destinations.
UK Calls for Calm
Tensions between India and Pakistan are also affecting communities in global diasporas, particularly in the United Kingdom, where there are large Indian and Pakistani communities.
British lawmakers have expressed concerns that these tensions could escalate in the diaspora.
“India and Pakistan have a history of large-scale military hostilities in the region, and there’s a risk that the nations could revert to military conflict again,” warned Gurinder Singh Josan, a lawmaker for the ruling Labour Party.
“These issues have long been discussed passionately on British streets, and we call on all community leaders and involved parties to call for calm,” responded foreign office minister Hamish Falconer.
