Pakistan: Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar has warned that India is planning a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, citing what he called ‘credible intelligence.’ The claim comes days after a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 Hindu pilgrims, sparking outrage across India.
India has accused Pakistan of backing the militants responsible for the ambush near Pahalgam, the deadliest attack on civilians in the disputed region in over two decades. Islamabad has strongly rejected the allegations, calling them baseless.
Speaking at a press conference, Tarar alleged that New Delhi was preparing to use the attack as a false pretext for military aggression. Tarar stated that, “Any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively.”
Tensions have been mounting across the Line of Control (LoC), with both sides exchanging small-arms fire in recent days. The situation bears resemblance to previous flare-ups, including Indian military strikes following major militant attacks in 2019 and 2016.
The Pahalgam massacre has triggered a sweeping crackdown in Indian-administered Kashmir. Authorities have detained over 1,500 people for questioning and demolished the homes of at least 10 suspected militants. Police say one demolished house was linked to a suspect involved in the shooting.
While no group has definitively claimed responsibility, the Resistance Front, initially reported to have taken credit has since denied involvement. The group is reportedly affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant outfit long accused by India of cross-border terrorism.
Indian police have identified three of the four suspected gunmen, two are said to be Pakistani nationals and one is a resident of Indian-administered Kashmir. The identity of the fourth remains unknown. Survivors say the attackers appeared to target Hindu men specifically.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to deliver justice. Modi declared that, “We will hunt them to the ends of the earth,” promising punishment beyond their imagination for those behind the killings.
Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since partition in 1947. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two wars over the region, and an armed insurgency has simmered in Indian-administered Kashmir since 1989.
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