Pakistan Warns of Possible Indian Strike Within 36 Hours Amid Escalating Tensions

In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Pakistan has claimed that it has received “credible intelligence” suggesting India may launch a military strike within the next 36 hours. The announcement, made by a top Pakistani government official on Wednesday, has raised serious concerns about the stability of South Asia.

“Our intelligence agencies have intercepted multiple inputs indicating that India is preparing for a limited military action against Pakistan within the next 36 hours,” the official stated during a televised press briefing.

This claim comes just days after the Pahalgam terror attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians and was blamed on Pakistan-backed militants. India has not publicly confirmed or denied any planned military response, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed “an uncompromising response” to the attack.

No Official Response from New Delhi

As of now, India has issued no official statement in response to Pakistan’s allegation. However, Indian defence and intelligence circles have remained on high alert since the Pahalgam massacre, with increased surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC) and forward deployment of certain military units reported.

Sources in New Delhi say India has adopted a "strategic silence" policy for now, but retaliatory options are under discussion, particularly given the rising domestic pressure to hold Pakistan accountable for terror activities.

Global Diplomats on Alert

The sudden spike in tensions has not gone unnoticed. International diplomatic channels, particularly in Washington, London, and the United Nations, have reportedly reached out to both India and Pakistan in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

“We are closely monitoring the situation in South Asia and urge both nations to exercise restraint,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson told CNN. “The use of force will only worsen tensions in an already volatile region.”

The Pahalgam Attack: A Flashpoint

The latest friction can be traced directly to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, a tourist town in Indian-administered Kashmir. Gunmen opened fire on tourists in Baisaran meadows, killing 26 and wounding dozens more. Indian authorities were quick to label it a Pakistan-sponsored act of terror, a charge that Islamabad denies.

Indian officials say the attackers were trained and equipped in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and infiltrated the LoC using known militant routes. The event has sparked widespread outrage in India, with political leaders and security analysts calling for a “decisive military response.”

Pakistan’s Defensive Posture

In light of the supposed Indian plans, Pakistan’s military has been placed on high alert, with additional troops reportedly deployed along the eastern border. The country’s air defence systems and quick-response units are on standby, and senior military commanders have conducted emergency meetings to assess potential threats.

“Pakistan is a peace-loving country but fully capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the Pakistani foreign office in a statement.

Analysts say that Islamabad’s decision to go public with this intelligence could either be a diplomatic warning or an effort to rally international support in case of a strike.

Background: A Region on the Brink

India and Pakistan have fought three full-scale wars and numerous border skirmishes since gaining independence in 1947. The last major military escalation occurred in February 2019, following the Pulwama terror attack, which led to Indian airstrikes in Balakot and retaliatory Pakistani air attacks.

Since then, both sides have observed a fragile ceasefire, but repeated violations, particularly through proxy militant activity, have kept the region on edge.

The current crisis, intensified by the Pahalgam attack and Lord Meghnad Desai’s recent call for India to reclaim PoK, could be the most dangerous flashpoint in years.

What Comes Next?

With both nuclear-armed nations on high alert, the world watches with bated breath. Experts warn that miscommunication or miscalculation could spiral into conflict. The coming hours and days are expected to be critical.

Whether India plans to act militarily remains speculative, but the rhetoric on both sides suggests that a diplomatic resolution is growing increasingly unlikely — unless cooler heads prevail quickly.