Pakistan has said it has “credible intelligence” India intends to launch military action, as tensions between the two countries continue to escalate.
The neighbouring countries introduced extensive measures against each other after 26 people were killed in an attack near the resort town of Pahalgam in India-controlled Kashmir on 22 April.
India claims it has identified the three attackers involved, which includes two Pakistan nationals. It says they are “terrorists” who are waging a violent revolt on the Muslim-majority in Kashmir.
Islamabad has repeatedly denied it had any involvement in the attack, which a group known as The Kashmir Resistance has claimed responsibility for, and called for a neutral investigation.
Kashmir attack: What happened?
India retaliates after Kashmir attack
But relations between the two countries – which both claim Kashmir as their own territory – have continued to dwindle.
In a statement early on Wednesday, Pakistan said it had “credible intelligence” that India intends to carry out military action against it in the “next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident”.
India’s foreign and defence ministries have not commented on the claims.
It comes after Indian army officials said it had responded to “unprovoked” small arms fire from Pakistan army posts on multiple occasions.
Kashmir, in the foothills of the Himalayas, is popular with tourists
The area is now being patrolled by troops
No casualties have been reported, and the Pakistan military has not responded to the claims.
Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif also told Sky News’ The World With Yalda Hakim that the world should be “worried” about the prospect of a full-scale conflict involving the two nations, which both have nuclear weapons.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue and punish those responsible for the incident.
Pic: AP
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue and punish those behind the attack.
It is believed he will host a cabinet committee on security (CCS), consisting of his interior, defence, home and finance minister, later on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
In the days after the attack, India suspended the critical Indus Waters Treaty that regulates water-sharing from the Indus River and its tributaries, while Pakistan closed airspace to Indian airlines.
Pakistani minister warns ‘all-out war’ possible
Around 48 of the 87 tourist destinations in Indian-controlled Kashmir have also been closed and enhanced security at the remaining ones have been introduced by the governments in Jammu and Kashmir, according to Reuters.
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The US and UK have urged the two nations not to escalate tensions, with US secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to speak with his counterparts in India and Pakistan soon.
Hindu-majority India accuses Islamic Pakistan of funding and encouraging militancy in Kashmir. Islamabad says it only provides moral and diplomatic support to a Kashmiri demand for self-determination.
