Why it matters:
Two nuclear-armed neighbors are on the brink of open conflict. A potential Indian military strike in response to the Pahalgam attack could trigger a broader regional crisis, with global powers urging both sides to step back.
The big picture:
Tensions have escalated sharply since April 22, when 26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam, one of the worst attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir in years. Since then, both countries have exchanged heated rhetoric, expelled citizens, and shut down border crossings. Cross-border skirmishes and unconfirmed drone incidents have added to the volatility.
What he's saying:
“Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours using the Pahalgam incident as a false pretext,” Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said early Wednesday on X.
“Any act of aggression will be met with a decisive response,” he warned. “India will be fully responsible for any serious consequences in the region!”
Key points:
- Pakistan claims India is planning a military strike within 24–36 hours.
- Statement came hours after Indian Prime Minister Modi met with Indian military and security chiefs and gave them "complete operational freedom" to respond.
- The April 22 Pahalgam attack killed 26 civilians in Kashmir and has been a flashpoint for both countries.
- India reported cross-border gunfire with Pakistan along the Line of Contact on Tuesday.
- Pakistan claimed it shot down an Indian drone, but India has not responded to the claim.
- Global actors, including the U.S. and China, have urged both sides to exercise restraint.
Go deeper:
This latest confrontation is part of a long history of conflict over Kashmir. With both sides invoking military options and regional allies watching closely, the situation could quickly spiral.
The international community’s next steps, and the internal political calculations in New Delhi and Islamabad, could shape whether the standoff leads to diplomacy or disaster.
Hossein Vaez
