Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has made a serious allegation, claiming that the country possesses “credible intelligence” indicating that India is preparing to launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours. This assertion follows India’s accusation that Pakistan is supporting militants responsible for a recent attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists.
Escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan
In his statement, Tarar asserted that India intends to exploit the tragic attack as a “false pretext” for military action. He emphasized that “any such military adventurism by India would be responded to assuredly and decisively.” The situation is particularly tense, as both nations have a long history of conflict over Kashmir, a region they both claim but only partially administer.
Recent violence and military preparations
The recent attack near the tourist town of Pahalgam marks the deadliest assault on civilians in the area in two decades. This incident has exacerbated fears of renewed military action akin to previous escalations following fatal militant attacks in 2016 and 2019. In response to the recent violence, Indian authorities conducted extensive searches across Indian-administered Kashmir, leading to the detention of over 1,500 individuals for questioning, with numbers continuing to rise.
Additionally, authorities have reportedly demolished the homes of at least ten alleged militants linked to the attack, further heightening tensions. While Indian police have identified three of four suspected attackers, revealing that two are Pakistani nationals and one is a local from Indian-administered Kashmir, the identity of the fourth suspect remains unknown.
Survivors of the Pahalgam attack have reported that the gunmen appeared to be specifically targeting Hindu men, intensifying the communal divide in the already volatile region. Amid widespread outrage, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the suspects “till the ends of the earth,” asserting that those responsible will face severe repercussions.
“We will hunt the suspects till the ends of the earth, and those who planned and carried it out will be punished beyond their imagination,” Modi stated.
As military tensions rise, both governments remain on high alert, and the international community is closely monitoring the developments in this long-standing conflict.