Pakistan has warned that it has “credible intelligence” indicating India may soon carry out military action, amid rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, with Islamist assailants specifically targeting Hindus. India has identified the attackers as militants linked to Pakistan, which Islamabad denies, calling for a neutral investigation. India accuses Pakistan of backing militant groups in the disputed Kashmir region, while Pakistan insists it only offers moral support to the Kashmiri independence movement.
In response to the attack, both nations have taken retaliatory actions. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines. Pakistan’s statement on Wednesday claimed that India plans military action within the next 24-36 hours, based on “baseless” allegations tied to the Pahalgam incident.
India’s government has vowed to bring the attackers to justice, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving military chiefs the authority to determine the country’s response. Meanwhile, small-arms fire between the two armies has intensified along the border, with both sides accusing each other of ceasefire violations.
The United Nations and the United States have called for de-escalation, with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging both countries to avoid confrontation. The U.S. has also expressed concern over the potential for further violence and is expected to engage with Indian and Pakistani officials.
In the midst of these tensions, Indian and Pakistani military leaders held a phone call on Tuesday, with India protesting unprovoked Pakistani fire.
