Pakistan Fears ‘Imminent’ Indian Attack, Warns of Nuclear Response
Pakistan’s defense minister warned Monday that a military attack by neighboring India could be imminent following last week’s deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals.
Context
Last week’s attack in Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, sparked outrage in Hindu-majority India and fueled calls for action against Muslim-majority Pakistan. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting militancy in Kashmir, a disputed region the two countries have fought two wars over.
Vice President J.D. Vance was in India during the attack in Kashmir, but his trip was part of a previously planned diplomatic mission aimed at strengthening U.S.-India relations. In the aftermath, Vance also reaffirmed U.S. support for India, condemning the attack and emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-India partnership. His visit underscored the strategic significance of bilateral ties, particularly as tensions with Pakistan escalated. Vance’s presence at such a critical moment allowed for immediate engagement with Indian leadership.
What to Know
Asif added that Pakistan was on high alert and emphasized that the country would only consider using its nuclear arsenal in response to “a direct threat to our existence.”
“We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So, in that situation some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken,” Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters in an interview at his office in Islamabad.
He did not elaborate on why he believed an incursion was likely.
In an emailed statement to Newsweek on Monday night, a State Department spokesperson said, “This is an evolving situation, and we are monitoring developments closely. We have been in touch with the governments of India and Pakistan at multiple levels. The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution.”
Following the attack in Kashmir, India identified two suspected militants as Pakistani nationals, an accusation Islamabad has firmly denied, instead calling for a neutral investigation.
On Sunday, Pakistani security forces killed 54 militants overnight who attempted to cross into the country from Afghanistan, the military said, marking one of the deadliest border clashes in recent years.
In a statement, the military said intelligence indicated the militants were “Khwarij,” a term the government uses to describe the Pakistani Taliban. While the military did not explicitly blame any group or nation, it alleged the insurgents had been dispatched by their “foreign masters” to carry out high-profile attacks inside Pakistan.
The confrontation occurred near North Waziristan, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, along the volatile Afghan border.
What People Are Saying
In the wake of last week’s attack, the Trump administration has condemned the act of terrorism and voiced its support for India. On Thursday, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “As President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear, the United States stands with India, strongly condemns all acts of terrorism.” Bruce further emphasized that the U.S. is “monitoring the situation closely,” but refrained from taking a stance on the territorial dispute over Kashmir, recognizing the delicate balance needed in addressing the complex issue.
Michael Kugelman, a leading South Asia analyst, described the attack in Pahalgam to Newsweek as a “game-changer,” saying, “It shatters the relative calm prevailing in Kashmir in recent years, and in so doing it punctures the Indian narrative that normalcy—including stability—has been restored in a highly restive region,” Kugelman told Newsweek. “It’s also the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which Indians regard as their 9/11.”
“Given the scale and targeting of this attack,” he added, “it’s all but assured that India will respond with muscle.”
What Happens Next
As tensions rise, the U.S. will need to balance its support for India with calls for restraint from Pakistan. With both nations holding nuclear weapons, the risk of escalation is high. Washington will likely push for diplomatic solutions, aiming to de-escalate the crisis and prevent further violence. The situation’s outcome will not only impact South Asia but could also reshape global security, particularly with China’s growing influence in the region.