Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday warned that India may initiate a military strike at any time along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
"There are reports that India can attack anywhere along the LoC… New Delhi will be given a befitting response," Asif said, as quoted by news agency PTI from Islamabad.
His remarks come against the backdrop of mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed neighbours, after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 civilians dead, among whom the majority of them were tourists.
According to reports, Asif also mentioned that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an international investigation into the Pahalgam incident. “Such a probe would expose whether India itself or any internal group was involved, and clarify the truth behind New Delhi’s baseless allegations,” he said.
Earlier, Atta Tarar, the information minister of Pakistan, had intimated that Pakistan was on alert for an anticipated strike by India and the ensuing 24 to 36 hours could be decisive. However, no Indian activity was anticipated during this time.
At the same time, Pakistan's chief military commander General Syed Asim Munir on Monday reiterated that his forces are prepared to respond firmly in case of any aggression, pledging to protect the "national prestige and prosperity of his people."
In response to the Pahalgam attack, India has initiated a series of retaliatory measures against Pakistan. These include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the sole operational land border at Attari, and reducing diplomatic engagement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also struck a hard line, issuing India's pledge to unleash "firm and decisive" action against terrorism and terrorists. He has also granted India's military command "complete operational freedom" to determine the form, targets, and timing of the response by the nation.
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