After Kashmir attack: Pakistan expects Indian attack

Pakistan's government claims to have "credible intelligence" indicating "that India intends to launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours." Information Minister Attaullah Tahar further stated on the online platform X that the neighboring country was using the deadly attack on vacationers in Pahalgam, in Indian Kashmir , as "a pretext." The minister warned the neighboring country: "Any act of aggression will be met with a decisive response." India will be "fully responsible" for any "dire consequences in the region."

Use of nuclear weapons only in case of "threat to existence"

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters journalists at his office in the capital, Islamabad, that the armed forces were on high alert. However, Pakistan would only use its nuclear weapons "if there was a direct threat to our existence."

Meanwhile, the Indian army reported an exchange of fire between soldiers from both countries on Wednesday morning for the sixth consecutive night along the Line of Control between Indian and Pakistani Kashmir. A military spokesman said there had been small arms fire, without providing further details.

The Pakistani military did not comment. State radio in Islamabad reported on Tuesday that an Indian drone had been shot down.

Modi grants army "operational freedom"

According to the AFP news agency, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously granted his army "operational freedom" in the disputed Kashmir region. Modi said at a meeting with army chiefs that the military had "complete operational freedom to decide the nature, targets, and timing of our response to the terrorist attack on civilians in Kashmir," AFP reports, citing government sources in the capital, New Delhi.

Modi emphasized his determination to "deal a crushing blow against terrorism." The Indian government released video footage of the meeting between Modi, the army chiefs, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

Last Tuesday, assailants shot dead 26 tourists and injured nearly 20 others in the popular resort of Pahalgam in Indian Kashmir. According to Indian police, Pakistani nationals are among the fugitives. The two nuclear-armed states meted out massive sanctions against each other following the attack, and attacks occurred along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

India has long accused its neighbor of supporting Islamic extremists. The Kashmir region is important for tourism, but the border between the two countries is disputed. Kashmir is predominantly inhabited by Muslims , while Hindus constitute the majority in India as a whole.

se/sti (afp, rtr, dpa)