Pakistan claims ‘credible intel’ that India will attack today

Leave a CommentPakistan claims ‘credible intel’ that India will attack todayCommentary

Summary of Pakistan’s Claims and Context: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, in a 2 am press conference on April 29, 2025, claimed that Pakistan has “credible intelligence” suggesting India is planning military action within 24-36 hours, citing the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, as a pretext. Tarar rejected India’s allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the attack as “baseless and concocted,” condemning India’s approach as acting as “judge, jury, and executioner.” He warned of “catastrophic consequences” and affirmed Pakistan’s readiness to respond with “full force” to defend its sovereignty. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed concerns about potential conflict. Diplomatic tensions have escalated, with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, revoking Pakistani visas, closing the Wagah-Attari border, and expelling Pakistani military attachés, while Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines and offered a neutral investigation into the attack.

Indian Perspective and Actions: India has not directly responded to Tarar’s specific claims of imminent military action, as the Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately comment. However, the Indian government has taken a strong stance following the Pahalgam attack, which it attributes to Pakistan-backed terrorists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after a high-level security meeting on April 29, 2025, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and military chiefs, granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to respond to the attack, vowing to “identify, track, and punish” those responsible and their backers. India blames Pakistan for funding and encouraging Islamist militancy in Kashmir, a charge Pakistan denies, asserting it only provides moral and diplomatic support for Kashmiri self-determination.

India’s retaliatory measures include suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing agreement, which Pakistan considers an “act of war” due to its importance for agriculture and hydropower. India also downgraded diplomatic ties, expelled Pakistani diplomats, revoked visas for Pakistani nationals (leading to 786 departures via Attari-Wagah by April 29), and closed the Attari-Wagah border. The Indian Army has responded to repeated Pakistani ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), with “swift, proportionate” retaliation to unprovoked firing in sectors like Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor, marking the sixth consecutive day of clashes by April 29. India’s navy conducted long-range missile drills, and security has been heightened, with 48 of 87 tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir closed post-attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the attack, releasing sketches of suspects and gathering forensic evidence.

Balancing Context and Diplomatic Fallout: The Pahalgam attack, where assailants targeted Hindu tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam, has fueled India’s narrative of Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism, while Pakistan insists on a transparent investigation and denies involvement. Tensions have drawn international attention, with the U.S. and U.K. urging restraint. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is engaging both nations to de-escalate, and the UN has called for avoiding confrontation. Pakistan’s stock market fell over 2,000 points amid fears of Indian military action, reflecting economic unease. Social media posts on X highlight polarized sentiments, with some Pakistani voices rejecting India’s accusations and alleging Indian interference in Balochistan, while Indian posts anticipate strong retaliation.

Both nations’ actions—India’s diplomatic and military posturing and Pakistan’s defensive mobilization—signal a volatile situation, with the LoC witnessing heightened activity and global powers monitoring closely to prevent escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.