Pakistani defence minister Khawaja Asif stated on Monday (April 28) that a military incursion by neighbouring India was “imminent” in the aftermath of a lethal terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir last week, as tensions increase between the two nuclear-armed countries.
During an interview at his office in Islamabad, Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Reuters that Pakistan had defended its military in expectation for such an incursion.
The Pahalgam terrorists attack killed 26 people and targeted outrage in Hindu-majority India, along with urges for action against Muslim-majority Pakistan.
New Delhi alleges Pakistan of backing insurgency in Kashmir, a area both claim and have fought two conflicts over.
Khawaja Asif stated India’s rhetoric was building up and that Pakistan’s military had told the government on the contingency of an Indian attack. He did not go into additional informations on his causes for thinking an incursion was imminent.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India identified two accused terrorists as Pakistani.
Pakistan has rejected any involvement and urged for a neutral investigation.
Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan had “absolutely no involvement” in the attack. While on high alert, Asif stated Pakistan could only use its stockpile of nuclear weapons if “there is a direct threat to our existence.” (Forelines)