India may strike Pakistan within 36 hours, Islamabad warns

Pakistan cites credible intel of Indian strike within 36 hours, rejects blame for Kashmir attack.

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI (MNTV) — Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar warned early Wednesday that Islamabad had received “credible intelligence” suggesting India could launch military strikes within the next 24 to 36 hours, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The warning comes just a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly gave the military “complete operational freedom” to determine a response to last week’s assault in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. 

New Delhi has blamed Pakistan for the incident, though it has yet to present evidence publicly.

“Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends carrying out military action against Pakistan on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations regarding the Pahalgam incident,” Tarar said during a late-night press briefing. 

He accused India of playing the role of “judge, jury and executioner,” calling such conduct reckless and destabilizing.

Tarar reiterated that Pakistan “wholeheartedly rejects” the allegations and emphasized that the country has itself been a victim of terrorism. 

“We understand the pain terrorism inflicts. That’s why we have condemned it in all forms,” he said, offering a “credible, transparent, and independent” investigation by an international commission of experts.

He warned that any Indian military action would trigger a firm response. 

“Such adventurism will be met with assured and decisive retaliation,” Tarar said, adding that responsibility for any escalation would rest solely with India. 

“The international community must remain alive to the reality that the onus of an escalatory spiral lies squarely with India.”

Tarar accused India of exploiting public sentiment for political ends, calling it a “conscious decision to trade strategic stability for short-term populist gains.”

The renewed hostility follows Indian media reports that Modi, in a closed-door meeting with top army and intelligence officials on Tuesday, authorized military commanders to choose the mode, targets, and timing of any retaliation.

Later the same day, the Indian army claimed multiple cross-border exchanges of fire with Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC), accusing Islamabad of repeated provocations over five consecutive days.

The Pakistan Army did not confirm the clashes, but state media reported on Tuesday that Pakistani forces had shot down an Indian drone, calling it a violation of airspace. 

No official response has been issued by New Delhi.

The rising tensions have prompted urgent diplomatic efforts. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in separate calls with both countries, appealed for restraint and warned that any military confrontation could have “tragic consequences.” 

The U.S. State Department also urged de-escalation, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to speak with his Indian and Pakistani counterparts in the coming days.

India and Pakistan have fought three full-scale wars since gaining independence from British rule in 1947, two of them over the disputed Kashmir region. 

Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement in place since 2021, recent months have seen sporadic clashes and rising nationalist rhetoric on both sides.

As the region teeters on the edge of conflict, international observers are closely watching for signs of further escalation.