Pakistan Alerts World of Imminent Indian Military Action Amid Rising Tensions Over Pahalgam Attack

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar issued a grave warning early Wednesday, stating that “credible intelligence” indicates India plans to launch military action against Pakistan within the “next 24 to 36 hours” under the pretext of Islamabad’s alleged involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam attack. The announcement has intensified fears of a dangerous escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Heightened Military Posturing
Tarar’s televised statement came hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly granted his military “operational freedom” to respond to the Pahalgam incident, which killed 26 tourists in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the reinforcement of Pakistani forces, declaring readiness to counter any Indian incursion. Deputy PM Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s stance of restraint but emphasized the right to retaliate if attacked.

Denials and Diplomatic Appeals
Pakistan’s leadership has repeatedly denied involvement in the attack, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanding a neutral probe. Tarar accused India of exploiting “baseless allegations” to justify aggression, warning that such actions risk “catastrophic consequences” for the region. Meanwhile, India has yet to provide evidence linking Pakistan to the assault, which was initially claimed—and later retracted—by the Kashmir Resistance group.

Cross-Border Skirmishes and Cyber Threats
Tensions flared further as Pakistan’s military downed two Indian quadcopters violating airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja reported thwarting Indian cyberattacks on government websites. The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (N-Cert) cautioned media against sharing sensitive security details.

Global Calls for Restraint
The international community, including the UN, US, China, and Saudi Arabia, has urged de-escalation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres offered mediation, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to engage both nations diplomatically. Saudi Arabia and Iran also advocated dialogue, with Islamabad briefing over a dozen countries on its concerns.

Economic and Regional Fallout
The PSX plummeted amid fears of conflict, though authorities dismissed rumors of imminent airspace closures. Analysts warn that Modi’s hardline rhetoric—echoing India’s 2019 airstrikes after the Pulwama attack—risks inflaming public sentiment and derailing diplomatic solutions.

Historical Context
The Pahalgam attack marks the deadliest violence in Kashmir since 2019, when a suicide bombing in Pulwama triggered tit-for-tat airstrikes. With both nations now on high alert, global observers fear a miscalculation could spiral into broader conflict.

As tensions mount, the world watches anxiously, hoping diplomacy prevails over confrontation.