Pakistan has warned that India may launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, citing escalating tensions between the two countries following a deadly terrorist attack in the Indian city of Pahalgam on April 22.
According to Pakistani Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Islamabad has “credible intelligence” indicating New Delhi is preparing a military operation, using the recent attack as a pretext.
“Any act of aggression will be met with a firm and resolute response,” Tarar wrote on social media, adding that India would be held accountable for any consequences stemming from such an escalation.
The April 22 attack in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, located in Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. Indian officials allege that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was linked to the assault, which was reportedly carried out by the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group banned in Russia.
In response, India has cut its embassy staff in Islamabad by half, suspended a water-sharing agreement with Pakistan, tightened visa restrictions, and declared several Pakistani military advisers persona non grata.
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Photo: Taimur Dee/Creative Commons 4.0
Based on materials from TASS