Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday clarified that his earlier comments suggesting an “imminent Indian military incursion” following last week’s deadly attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir were misinterpreted.
The April 22 assault, which claimed the lives of 26 people—mostly tourists—was among the deadliest in the disputed Himalayan region since 2000. A group known as Kashmir Resistance, also referred to as The Resistance Front, initially issued a statement that appeared to claim responsibility but later “unequivocally” denied any involvement.
India, without providing evidence, hinted at cross-border links to the attackers. Pakistan has firmly rejected these allegations, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling for an impartial investigation into the incident. In response to the attack, India’s armed forces launched multiple military exercises across the country, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Speaking to Reuters earlier today from his office in Islamabad, Asif said: “We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. In such circumstances, certain strategic decisions need to be made—and they have been made.”
He explained that heightened rhetoric from India prompted Pakistan’s military to brief the government about a possible Indian military move, although he withheld further specifics.
Following the Kashmir attack, India claimed that two of the suspected attackers were Pakistani nationals—an accusation Islamabad categorically denies, again calling for a neutral inquiry.
Asif emphasized that Pakistan remained on high alert and would only consider the use of its nuclear arsenal in the event of a direct threat to its survival.
In a separate appearance on Samaa TV’s ‘Red Line’, Asif had stated: “We should be mentally prepared; there is a war looming on the horizon. There is a very vivid possibility of war breaking out in the next day, two, three, or four.”
However, during a later interview with Geo News, Asif clarified that his statements had been misinterpreted. “I think it was misreported by another channel, Samaa. I have spoken to them already. I did not categorically predict war. They asked about the chances, and I said the next two to four days are crucial,” he said.
“If something were to happen, it would occur within the next few days. Otherwise, the immediate threat would subside,” Asif explained, adding that the news outlet was working to correct the misunderstanding.
The defence minister stressed that while the situation was undoubtedly tense, he never suggested that conflict was inevitable.
Asif also noted that regional actors were actively engaging to de-escalate tensions and prevent the situation from worsening.
“Pakistan is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty against any threat,” he concluded.
