Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information Ataullah Tarar stated on Monday, citing intelligence sources, that India could launch a military attack on Pakistan within the next 24 to 36 hours in retaliation for the recent militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir province.
Tarar held the press conference shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top officials of the country's defense and security forces on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at his ministry's office in Islamabad on Monday, the Information Minister said, "We have received credible intelligence that following the baseless and fabricated accusations leveled by India against Pakistan regarding the Pahalgam incident, the country may take military action against Pakistan within the next 24 to 36 hours."
At the press conference, Ataullah alleged that India frequently acts as a "self-declared" and "unilateral" judge, jury, and executioner on various issues in the South Asian region, which is completely reckless, and Pakistan strongly rejects this role of India.
Ataullah said, "Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and understands the pain of this curse deeply. We are against any kind of terrorist attack anywhere in the world and always condemn such incidents."
Claiming that Pakistan is ready to fully cooperate with an impartial commission if one is formed to investigate the Pahalgam terrorist attack, as a responsible state, Ataullah Tarar said, "But unfortunately, India has decided to take a path filled with irrationality and conflict; and this path will ultimately lead to the utter devastation of the regions adjacent to this subcontinent."
"India wants to avoid a neutral and reliable investigation. This is crucial evidence to understand the true intentions of the country."
"India is consciously playing with the emotions of its people for political gains. We are also seeing its impact on strategic decision-making. This is unfortunate and regrettable."
Ataullah warned that if India takes military action, Pakistan will give a "befitting" response. He also urged the international community to remain vigilant, saying at the press conference, "We expect that the international community will remain vigilant on this issue, and India will bear the responsibility for any escalation or recklessness and its consequences."
On Tuesday afternoon, April 22, Kashmir-based militant group The Resistance Front, a sub-branch of Lashkar-e-Taiba, attacked tourists in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam district in India's Jammu and Kashmir state.
The attackers, armed with automatic rifles, shot and killed at least 26 tourists. Several others were injured in their firing. All those killed were men. In fact, the April 22 attack was the deadliest attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack.
India blamed Pakistan for the horrific attack and immediately took several steps, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. In retaliation, Pakistan also took several steps, including closing its land and airspace for India.
Indian army and security forces have launched an all-out operation in Jammu and Kashmir to apprehend the perpetrators. Besides, since April 22, exchanges of fire have started between the Indian and Pakistani armies on the Kashmir border, with reports of several casualties.
(Source: Dawn)
