Pakistan warns Indian military strike “imminent,” as tensions between South Asia’s rival nuclear-armed powers flare

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned Monday that an Indian military strike on his country is “imminent,” adding that Islamabad would respond with tactical or strategic nuclear weapons only if “there is a direct threat to our existence.”

Asif’s claim of an imminent attack was amplified by Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar late Tuesday. He said there was “verified intelligence indicating that India intends to carry out a military operation against Pakistan” within the next 24-36 hours.

Tarar went on to vow that Pakistan would respond to any Indian attack in kind, raising the spectre of a rapid descent into all-out war between the two countries. “Any military adventurism from India will receive a certain and decisive response,” declared Tarar. “The international community must recognise that responsibility for any catastrophic escalation will rest solely with India. The people of Pakistan will defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.”

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