Islamabad, 30 April (H.S.): In a dramatic escalation following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that his government has credible intelligence suggesting India is preparing for a military strike within 24 to 36 hours, warning of repercussions should this occur. He accused India of making baseless and concocted claims regarding Pakistani involvement to justify military aggression and reiterated Pakistan’s status as a long-time victim of terrorism.

Tarar also proposed an independent investigation by a neutral expert commission, alleging that India is dodging scrutiny while opting for confrontation. Shortly after this, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the military has complete operational freedom to act in response to the Pahalgam attack, which he vowed would be met with severe consequences for the attackers and their supporters. PM Modi emphasized that India would pursue them relentlessly, indicating an intensified diplomatic offensive against Pakistan. In turn, Pakistan warned the international community about potential Indian military actions, claiming that any escalation would be India’s responsibility.

The prospect of an Indian military counterstrike has created unrest within the Pakistani military, with reports indicating that 1,450 soldiers, including 250 officers, have resigned in just 72 hours. This wave of resignations has included significant numbers from various corps within the military.

The Pahalgam terror attack, which occurred on April 22, resulted in at least 26 fatalities, predominantly among tourists, marking one of the deadliest incidents since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. Following the attack, security operations have been intensified in the area, leading to a stark reduction in visitor presence in this once-bustling tourist destination.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar