Meanwhile, the establishment in Islamabad has approached the UNSC saying it reserves the right to respond, according to media reports from Pakistan. All eyes will now be on the address from Pakistan’s Prime Minister later today.
On Wednesday, India confirmed it had targeted nine sites inside Pakistan, which it described as “terrorist infrastructure” linked to the recent deadly attack on Indian tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. The 26 April barbaric attack claimed the lives of 26 people, an incident New Delhi has blamed on Islamabad-based militant groups.Also read | Operation Sindoor LIVE Updates: Nine terror camps destroyed, no civilian harm, says IAF
In response, Pakistan reported that six locations were struck during the Indian operation, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. While both sides have presented conflicting accounts of the strike’s scope and impact, the tension has led to a dangerous uptick in military activity along the Line of Control (LoC).
Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, Defence Minister Khawaja said, “Pakistan does not seek war. Our forces are prepared, but we are equally prepared to exercise restraint — conditional on India ceasing its current military campaign. If India stops, so will we,” Asif said.
The move is being viewed as an opening for diplomatic dialogue, although analysts caution that mistrust remains high. “Given the history and the stakes involved, especially with both being nuclear-armed nations, any step toward de-escalation must be approached with caution and clarity,” said Ayesha Malik, a regional security expert based in Lahore, was quoted as saying
Also read | Operation Sindoor: Some pics from India’s attack on Pak terror bases
The latest developments mark a severe deterioration in Indo-Pak relations, already strained by decades of territorial disputes. Since the 1999 Kargil conflict, the two nations have experienced several episodes of military escalation, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. The 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Balakot air strikes are among the more notable flashpoints in recent years.
Cross-border shelling has intensified over the past 48 hours, reports said. As thousands of civilians on both sides of the LoC are being forces to flee their homes. Both governments have put their forces on high alert, while international observers urge immediate de-escalation.
The United Nations and several world powers have called for restraint, stressing the catastrophic risks of a full-scale conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. While the current situation remains volatile, Pakistan’s conditional offer may yet provide a diplomatic opening to step back from the brink.
(With Inputs from agencies)
