In the face of increasing hostility between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that left several people dead, the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) government has announced a series of pre-emptive steps to enhance preparedness for possible Indian military action.
In a directive issued following an all-party meeting, POK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has asked people living along the Line of Control (LoC) to store basic commodities, such as food, in order to prepare themselves for further escalation. Also, all tourist activity in the Neelum Valley and other LoC-adjacent locations has been halted.
Amongst the measures taken, religious seminaries in the region have been closed down, and an Emergency Response Fund of Rs 1 billion has been created to assist in relief operations in case of military conflict. Authorities have also activated public and private resources to ensure road access in strategic LoC constituencies like Neelum, Jhelum, Poonch, Haveli, Kotli, and Bhimber.
Civil defense troops in POK have been put on red alert, and the local disaster management agency has established an emergency helpline (1122) to offer immediate relief to citizens in distress.
As a response to increasing concern, the POK administration has been carefully observing events along the Indian border, particularly considering India's strict stand on military action. Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have committed to taking necessary military action in response to the Pahalgam attack. In addition, Pakistan airspace above key airports in Karachi and Lahore has been off-limits for eight hours a day under increasing security.
The move by the POK government follows Indian security officials expressing alarm over the existence of about 40 terrorist launch pads in the area. India has promised to take firm action against the locations. Only the previous day, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi called on the Modi government to reclaim the territory, alluding to earlier military action taken against attacks in 2016 and 2019, when surgical strikes and airstrikes were conducted in PoK following the Uri and Pulwama attacks.
Following the Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 25 foreign tourists and a local at the hands of Pakistan-backed terrorists, the war of words between India and Pakistan has grown more furious. India has vowed stern military action, while Pakistan has threatened against any possible military escalation. The world has watched closely with nations such as the US joining the chorus of caution, calling on both countries to maintain restraint and desist from further provocation.
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