Pakistan’s government has issued a stark warning that neighboring India may be planning a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours, amid rapidly rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries.

Speaking on Wednesday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that Islamabad had “credible intelligence” indicating India intends to launch a strike, using last week’s deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir as justification.

“Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends to launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours using the Pahalgam incident as a false pretext,” Tarar posted on social media.
“Any act of aggression will be met with a decisive response. India will be fully responsible for any serious consequences in the region.”

The current standoff follows a recent attack in Pahalgam, a tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, that killed 26 men. India has pointed the finger at Pakistani-linked groups, while Pakistan has firmly denied any involvement and is calling for an impartial investigation.

In the days since the attack, both nations have moved quickly to escalate pressure:

• India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty — a critical agreement governing water sharing between the two countries.
• Pakistan has responded by closing its airspace to Indian airlines.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to track down and punish those responsible for the Pahalgam attack. Meanwhile, Pakistani officials are warning that any Indian aggression could provoke a serious regional crisis.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, said a military move by India is imminent. However, he clarified that Pakistan would only consider using nuclear weapons in the event of a “direct threat to our existence.”

Kashmir has long been a source of conflict between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the region in full but control different parts. Over the decades, they’ve fought multiple wars over the territory, making it one of the most volatile flashpoints in South Asia.

As of now, India’s foreign ministry has not publicly commented on the Pakistani warnings.

Source: SCMP – Pakistan minister warns India planning attack before Friday amid Kashmir tensions

The post Pakistan Warns of Imminent Indian Strike Amid Kashmir Tensions appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Quetta, Pakistan – Pakistani security forces successfully ended a train hijacking by separatist militants on Wednesday, killing all 33 attackers after a tense day-long standoff. The military confirmed that 21 hostages and four security personnel lost their lives during the operation.

On Tuesday, militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) ambushed the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta, Balochistan, to Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attackers blew up railway tracks and fired rockets at the train carrying 440 passengers, leading to a hostage crisis.

Military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that special forces carried out the final operation with precision, ensuring that no civilians were harmed during the last phase.

“Today, we freed a large number of people, including women and children,” Chaudhry said.

Earlier in the crisis, the BLA had claimed to have executed 50 passengers and held 214 hostages, mainly security personnel. The group threatened to begin executions unless the government met its demand for the release of Baloch political prisoners and missing persons within 48 hours.

The BLA, the largest of several ethnic armed groups fighting for greater control over Balochistan’s mineral resources, has intensified its attacks in recent months, using new tactics to maximize casualties and target Pakistan’s military.

Junior Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry told Geo TV that the militants were wearing suicide vests and were positioned among the hostages, complicating the military’s response. He initially estimated that 70-80 attackers were involved in the hijacking.

Hundreds of troops, including air force and special forces units, were deployed for the operation. The final phase involved eliminating suicide bombers before troops moved from carriage to carriage to neutralize the remaining militants.

Muhammad Ashraf, a 75-year-old passenger, recounted the attack:

“I heard a loud explosion in the mountains, and suddenly, gunfire erupted. We lay on the floor while armed men stormed the train, checking our identities.”

Authorities said the militants were specifically searching for soldiers and security personnel among the passengers.

Government officials confirmed that 190 passengers had been rescued earlier, with over 50 taken to Quetta to reunite with their families. However, tensions flared as relatives of the hostages demanded accountability.

One distraught woman, whose son was among those held hostage, confronted provincial minister Mir Zahoor Buledi, asking:

“Why didn’t you stop the trains if they weren’t safe?”

Buledi assured the public that the government was working to enhance security measures in the region.

With the military operation concluded, questions remain about security lapses and the growing threat posed by separatist militants. The government has vowed to take stronger actions to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Source

The post Pakistan Military Rescues Hostages in Deadly Train Standoff appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.