The attack killed 26 people and sparked anger among the Indian majority in India and called for action against Pakistan. India accused Pakistan’s supportive militants in Kashmir, a region that claimed two wars.
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was interviewed in Islamabad’s office. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was interviewed in Islamabad’s office.
Asif said India’s rhetoric was intensifying, and Pakistan’s military briefed the government on the possibility of an Indian attack. He did not further elaborate on what he believed was the cause of the invasion.
India’s foreign and defense ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
After the Kashmir attack, India said the two suspected militants were Pakistan. Islamabad denied any role and requested a neutral investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue and punish attackers.
Pakistan is highly alert, but will only use its nuclear weapons if it “poses a direct threat to our existence”, a veteran politician of the Nawaz Party, a Pakistan-ruled Pakistan Muslim League, said that peace talks have been in place with India throughout history.
“Acts of War”
The minister added that Islamabad has contacted friendly countries including the Gulf countries and China and has informed the UK, the United States and others about the situation.
“Some of our friends in the Arabian Gulf have already talked to both sides,” Asif said.
China said on Monday it hopes to be restrained and welcomes all measures to calm the situation. Asif said that so far, the United States has been “stay away from interfering in the matter”.
U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that India and Pakistan would figure out their relationship, but the State Department later said Washington stayed in touch with the two sides, urging them to commit to a “responsible solution.”
Washington had previously helped quell tensions between the two countries, both gaining independence in 1947, when the retreating British colonial government divided the subcontinent into two states.
Delhi and Islamabad have taken a series of measures since the Kashmir attack. India has suspended the Indian Waters Treaty – an important river sharing agreement. Pakistan has closed its space to Air India.
Asif said it was an “act of war” to deprive vulnerable waters, and treaties that had passed past conflicts were supported by international guarantors.
He called on the international community and the World Bank to protect the agreement.
New Delhi also accused Islamabad of supporting Islamic militants who were hit by the 2008 Mumbai attacks that resulted in more than 166 people, including foreigners. Pakistan denies the charges.
