Are war clouds looming over India-Pakistan border?
Amid the likelihood of escalating tensions transforming into a military clash between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the nod to its military leadership to decide the modalities of the response. The federal government said after a key meeting of the Prime Minister with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and military brass that Modi has granted the armed forces "complete freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing" of India's military response.
In an April 22 attack seen to be undertaken by Pakistan-based terrorists who illegally crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in a serene valley of Kashmir's Pahalgam, gunmen shot dead 26 men after asking their religion and names. The only Muslim killed was a pony handler who reportedly tried to jostle with the attackers.
Amid an escalating war of words, media reports show intense warmongering in both nuclear-armed countries that have fought three wars over the Himalayan Muslim-majority province.
In another sign that military action by India is imminent, Modi on Wednesday convened a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), often referred to as India's "super cabinet." The CCPA is tasked with deciding India's political and economic strategies.
A top Pakistani official claimed early Wednesday to have "credible intelligence" that India will carry out a military action against Pakistan within the next two days.
"Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends carrying out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours," Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in an unusual late night post on X.
The claim came as China, which has stronger ties with Pakistan than with India, urged restraint. Amid news of a multi-layered investigation into the Pahalgam attack, Indian media reports said the use of highly-encrypted Chinese communication equipment including Huawei satellite phones used by the attackers has come to light.
