KKN Gurugram Desk | The recent Pahalgam Terror Attack has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, bringing the two countries to the brink of conflict. In the wake of this attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has made a significant and alarming claim. He has alleged that Pakistan has credible intelligence suggesting that India may launch a military strike against Pakistan in the next 24 to 36 hours.

This bold statement from Tarar comes as tensions rise, with India ramping up its military readiness, following the attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. The political rhetoric between both nations has heated up in recent days, with military and diplomatic threats from both sides, leading to heightened fears of a major confrontation.

The Claim of Imminent Indian Military Action

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on April 29, 2025, claiming that Pakistan has credible intelligence of India’s intention to conduct a military operation within the next 24 to 36 hours. According to him, this potential military action would be based on unsubstantiated and fabricated accusations regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Tarar accused India of opting for a military response rather than following a neutral and transparent investigation process, warning that such actions could prove to be disastrous for regional peace. He emphasized that Pakistan had offered to conduct an independent, impartial international investigation with the help of global experts into the Pahalgam attack, but India had rejected these proposals, choosing instead to escalate the situation.

In his tweet, Tarar stated:

“Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends carrying out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident. India has assumed the role of Judge, Jury, and Executioner, without any regard for truth or peace.”

Pakistan on High Alert: Military Preparedness and Threats of Retaliation

Following Tarar’s alarming statement, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif spoke to Reuters, confirming that the country is on high alert. He warned that if India were to attack, Pakistan would retaliate, but also made it clear that nuclear weapons would only be used if the country’s existence was under direct threat. Asif’s statement added to the already fraught atmosphere between the two nations, where tensions were already high after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Pakistan’s readiness for a military conflict was mirrored by the strong rhetoric from their defense officials, highlighting the seriousness with which the government views the situation. The comments made by the Defense Minister reinforced Pakistan’s stance of defending its sovereignty while attempting to deter India from taking aggressive actions.

India’s Response: Prime Minister Modi’s Statement and Military Readiness

In response to the mounting accusations and tensions from Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement clarifying India’s position. He emphasized that India’s armed forces are completely free to act against the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack, underlining India’s right to self-defense and its determination to address terrorism with full force. The statement gave the Indian military an open mandate to root out terrorism from the region without any constraints.

This statement comes after several significant decisions taken by India, which have contributed to the rising tensions. On the diplomatic front, India took drastic steps, including revoking the Indus Water Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals in India. These moves were a clear sign that India was escalating its response, with the message being sent that India would not tolerate cross-border terrorism and would take any necessary actions to protect its citizens.

Pahalgam Terror Attack: The Incident That Triggered the Crisis

The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, was a pivotal moment in the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. In this terrorist attack, 26 civilians, including pilgrims, lost their lives when militants opened fire on a bus traveling through Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir.

India immediately held Pakistani-based terrorist groups responsible for the attack, with the Indian government accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorists who have been targeting Indian soil for years. In retaliation, India has escalated its military and diplomatic stance.

Pakistan, however, denied the allegations, calling them baseless and fabricated, and rejected India’s accusations. Pakistan’s government has consistently argued that it is committed to peace and stability in the region, but also reiterated its position of defending its sovereignty against any foreign aggression.

The Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions: A History of Military Clashes

The Pahalgam attack is the latest in a long history of military and diplomatic clashes between India and Pakistan. Both countries have fought several wars, and since the 1990s, the border conflict in Kashmir has been a persistent source of tension. The situation is complicated by both nations being nuclear-armed, which has created the potential for a devastating escalation.

In recent years, India and Pakistan have engaged in military standoffs, cross-border skirmishes, and diplomatic tensions, but the situation has never been as volatile as it is now, with each side on high alert. The risk of a full-scale conflict remains a real concern, and the international community has urged both sides to de-escalate tensions and seek a peaceful resolution.

Diplomatic Solutions and International Pressure

Despite the rhetoric coming from both sides, there is significant pressure from the international community to prevent an all-out war between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Organizations such as the United Nations have called for restraint, urging both India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomacy rather than military confrontation.

The United States, China, and other global powers have also expressed concern about the growing tensions, with some offering to mediate and facilitate peace talks. However, the success of these diplomatic efforts largely depends on the willingness of both countries to engage in meaningful discussions.

As the situation in India and Pakistan grows more tense in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the world watches closely to see how this latest crisis unfolds. Pakistan’s claims of imminent Indian military action have only heightened the already fragile relations between the two countries.

India’s military readiness, coupled with Pakistan’s insistence on defending its sovereignty, sets the stage for a potential confrontation, but there is still hope for diplomacy to prevail. As Prime Minister Modi has clearly stated, India’s armed forces are free to act, but it is crucial that both countries take steps to avoid an all-out war.

The coming hours and days will be crucial in determining whether peace or war will dominate the India-Pakistan relationship. What is clear is that the stakes are higher than ever, and both nations must tread carefully to prevent further escalation of tensions.