Islamabad: Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has warned that military action from India could occur at any time following a recent militant attack in Kashmir that has heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters on Monday, Asif said that after last week's attack on tourists in Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, the threat of an Indian military strike has become more imminent. He stated that Pakistan has made all necessary preparations to respond.
"We have completed our preparations because the threat now feels very close," Asif said. "It was important to make some strategic decisions under such circumstances, and those decisions have been made."
The attack has fueled calls from Indian media and politicians for tough action against Pakistan, with India accusing its neighbor of supporting militancy in Kashmir. Both countries have fought two wars over the disputed region, which each claims in full but controls in part.
Asif noted that Indian statements have become increasingly aggressive and that Pakistan’s military has alerted the government to the risk of possible Indian action. However, he did not provide specific details explaining the urgency of the threat.
Following the Kashmir incident, India identified two suspected militants as Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has denied these allegations and has called for an independent investigation.
Khawaja Asif emphasized that Pakistan remains on high alert and reiterated that nuclear weapons would only be used if the country's existence is directly threatened.
