Pakistan Warns India: We Will Respond to Possible Attack

On Tuesday, February 19, Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan warned that the country would take retaliatory action against a potential attack from India in response to the recent bombing in the disputed region of Kashmir. Khan expressed a desire for cooperation in the investigation related to the suicide bombing that occurred last Tuesday, for which the Pakistan-based Islamist group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility, resulting in the deaths of 40 Indian paramilitary police. The Indian government holds Pakistan responsible for this attack. Pakistan has called for the United Nations to intervene in its dispute with India. According to Reuters, this attack has heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The Pakistani government has denied involvement in the attack and has requested UN intervention. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, facing general elections in May, is under pressure to retaliate for the incident. He recently stated that he has given security officials the green light for a 'strong response.' In a televised speech to the nation, Imran Khan expressed hope that 'logic will prevail' in light of calls for revenge in India. He added, 'If you are thinking of some kind of attack on Pakistan, Pakistan will not only think of retaliation but will certainly retaliate.' Since the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947, three wars have occurred between the two countries, two of which were over the disputed Kashmir region. Since both countries tested their nuclear weapons in 1998, there has been no full-scale war, but temporary skirmishes have frequently occurred along the border in Kashmir. Imran Khan emphasized that the Pakistani government had no involvement in last week's bombing and is ready to take action against those responsible. He stated, 'If you have credible information proving that Pakistanis were involved in this attack, give it to us. I guarantee we will take action in this regard.' The Associated Press adds that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs rejected this offer, stating that Pakistan has not acted on previous instances where evidence of attacks was provided. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs noted that Pakistan's investigations into the 2008 Mumbai attack, carried out by Pakistani Islamist groups, have made no progress. This statement reminds that 'given Pakistan's track record, promises of action in this regard are hollow.' The Pakistani armed forces have a long history of supporting armed extremist groups to pursue their regional policies. For about 30 years, India has accused Pakistan of supporting insurgency and armed attacks in Kashmir, the only region in India with a Muslim majority. Pakistan has always claimed that it only provides moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination but has never been able to convince India that it does not actually support armed groups in Kashmir. Imran Khan stated that his country has changed, adding, 'I tell you this is a new Pakistan with a new mindset and thinking.' In response to last week's bombing, which resulted in the highest casualties in three decades of conflict in Kashmir, India has intensified security measures. The commander of the Indian armed forces in the region controlled by India accused the Pakistani military's intelligence agency of having control over those responsible for the attack and warned of retaliation.