Islamabad’s streets buzzed with tension Wednesday as Pakistan’s government dropped a bombshell: India, it claims, is gearing up for a military strike within the next day and a half. The warning, rooted in what officials call “credible intelligence,” has both nations on edge, with the specter of conflict looming over the already fraught India-Pakistan border.
On April 29, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif sounded the alarm, declaring that a military incursion from India was not just possible but “imminent.” The trigger, he said, was last week’s deadly militant attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, which left tourists dead and tensions raw. Pakistan insists India is using the incident as a pretext, spinning baseless allegations of Pakistani involvement to justify an attack. By April 30, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar doubled down, specifying the 24-to-36-hour window and pointing to India’s alleged plans for “military action” along the Line of Control.
Pakistan’s military isn’t sitting idle. Asif confirmed the armed forces have briefed top officials and are on high alert, ready to counter any move. The government has also reinforced troops along the border, particularly in contested areas, signaling it’s not bluffing about its readiness. The rhetoric is sharp—Pakistan vows “consequences” if India crosses the line.
India, for its part, hasn’t publicly confirmed or denied the accusations. New Delhi’s silence only fuels the unease, as both nuclear-armed neighbors have a history of skirmishes escalating fast. The Pahalgam attack, still fresh, has already inflamed cross-border blame, with India pointing fingers at Pakistan-based militants and Pakistan rejecting the claims as fabricated.
The intelligence Pakistan cites remains under wraps—no specifics on sources or evidence have been shared publicly. Still, the government’s urgency suggests confidence in its information. Diplomatic channels, usually a pressure valve, appear quiet, with no reports of backroom talks to defuse the crisis.
As April draws to a close, the region holds its breath. Military deployments are up, rhetoric is hotter than a summer day in Lahore, and the clock is ticking on Pakistan’s 36-hour warning. What happens next depends on moves neither side is telegraphing—at least not yet.