Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has urged the international community to take serious notice of rising tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan, warning that the situation could spiral into a full-scale conflict.
Speaking to British broadcaster Sky News, Asif said the world should be “worried” about the potential for an all-out war in the wake of a deadly shooting in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 tourists — including a Nepali national — were killed in the Pahalgam area.
India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Islamabad has strongly rejected, calling it a “false flag operation.” Asif reiterated that Pakistan has no involvement in the incident, emphasizing the country’s firm rejection of terrorism in all forms.
The Defence Minister said Pakistan’s military is fully prepared to respond to any aggression. “We will measure our response... but if there is an all-out attack, there will be an all-out war,” he warned. Despite the growing tensions, he stressed that Pakistan remains open to dialogue and peaceful resolution.
In response to the attack, India announced the suspension of the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty and initiated several punitive measures against Pakistan, including the closure of border crossings and diplomatic downsizing.
Pakistan retaliated by shutting down Indian land transit via the Wagah border, closing its airspace to Indian commercial flights, and capping the staff at the Indian High Commission to 30 members.
The National Security Committee (NSC) of Pakistan also issued a stern warning, declaring that any Indian attempt to divert Pakistan’s share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an "act of war" and would be met with a full-spectrum response.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to hunt down those responsible for the Pahalgam attack, while maintaining a hardline stance.
The United States, reacting to the developments, stated it is closely monitoring the “horrible” situation unfolding in the region.
