Pakistan's Defence Minister Warns: Imminent Military Incursion by India Looms

Islamabad—Pakistan’s defense minister stated on Monday that a potential military intervention by neighboring India seemed likely following a violent assault on tourists in Kashmir last week, intensifying hostilities between these two nuclear-capable nations. The incident resulted in 26 fatalities and sparked anger within predominantly Hindu India, leading to demands for actions directed toward majority-Muslim Pakistan. India holds Pakistan responsible for supporting insurgency in Kashmir, a disputed territory over which both countries have engaged in armed conflict twice before. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif informed Reuters during an interview held at his office in Islamabad that they have bolstered their defenses due to the impending nature of such events. “In light of current circumstances, certain strategic choices must be made,” explained Mr. Asif. He noted escalating hostility from India and communicated how Pakistan’s army apprised governmental authorities about possible aggression from India. However, he refrained from elaborating on specific justifications behind anticipating immediate confrontation. Neither India's external nor internal affairs divisions promptly responded upon being contacted regarding comments. Following the Kashmir violence, New Delhi implicated two assailants as having ties to Pakistan; however, Islamabad rejected involvement and advocated conducting impartial investigations instead. Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed himself to pursuing justice against perpetrators involved in the act. While maintaining heightened vigilance levels, Pakistan declared readiness solely utilizing atomic weaponry under conditions posing existential threats according to Asif—a seasoned political leader known for advocating dialogue initiatives alongside holding positions within the governing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz faction traditionally supportive of reconciliation efforts vis-a-vis India. The official characterized cutting off essential resources like water supplies targeting weak regions as acts constituting warfare and emphasized adherence to global commitments safeguarding agreements like the Indus Water Treaty despite historical disputes among signatories. Furthermore, Asif mentioned reaching out diplomatically through allied entities encompassing Middle Eastern allies plus Beijing while updating counterparts across Europe and North America concerning prevailing scenarios. China expressed hopefulness around deescalation prospects emphasizing supportiveness towards stabilizing regional dynamics positively today. Conversely, U.S. engagement remained cautious reportedly abstaining directly interfering although previous administrations intervened successfully mitigating similar crises dating back nearly seven decades ago post-British withdrawal administering division establishing independent statehood statuses respectively impacting South Asia broadly speaking then onwards too. Meanwhile, diplomatic skirmishes continued manifesting via reciprocal punitive steps enacted mutually affecting trade routes specifically pertaining shared waters management policies adversely impacted air traffic connectivity networks effectively severed thereby restricting commercial aviation movements bilaterally significantly disrupting usual operations substantially henceforth moving forward likewise potentially long term implications persistently looming large shaping future interactions dynamically altering geopolitical landscapes considerably indeed. Syndigate.info ).