Asger Risom
Escalating Kashmir tensions prompt international calls for restraint as nuclear-armed neighbors edge toward conflict
A senior Pakistani official has claimed that India may launch a military strike on Pakistan within the next 24 to 36 hours, amid rapidly deteriorating relations between the two regional rivals. The warning has triggered concern in global capitals, with the U.S. and China urging both sides to exercise restraint.
“Credible Intelligence” Behind the Warning
Pakistan’s Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, issued the alert late Monday night, citing what he called “credible intelligence” of an impending Indian military action. The announcement, made via a post on platform X, included no operational details but has drawn immediate attention from international observers, as reported by HotNews.ro.
The tension follows a deadly insurgent attack last week in India-administered Kashmir, which left 26 tourists dead. New Delhi accuses Islamabad of supporting the insurgency in the disputed region—a claim Pakistan has repeatedly denied.
A History of Conflict Over Kashmir
India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed states, have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947—two of them over the mountainous Kashmir region. The territory remains divided by the Line of Control, with both nations claiming it in full.
The recent attack has heightened political pressure on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond forcefully. With national sentiment inflamed, the threat of a direct military clash is growing.
U.S. and China Urge Calm
The United States and China have both called for de-escalation. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will speak with Indian and Pakistani counterparts to encourage dialogue. Washington views New Delhi as a strategic partner in countering Chinese influence across the Indo-Pacific, while also maintaining critical ties with Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Beijing—also a claimant in the broader Kashmir dispute—has aligned more closely with Pakistan in recent years. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, after meeting his Pakistani counterpart, warned that renewed conflict between India and Pakistan “would not serve the core interests of either party” and could destabilize the region.