Indian security teams examine the spot where gunmen attacked tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 23, 2025. AP
India and Pakistan are on edge after a top Pakistani official warned early Wednesday that India may launch a military strike within the next two days. This claim comes just days after gunmen attacked and killed 26 tourists in Kashmir, a region both countries claim as their own.
Pakistan’s Information Minister said the country has "credible intelligence" that India will carry out a strike within 24 to 36 hours. He did not share any proof, but the timing has raised serious concerns. His statement came in the middle of the night, showing how urgent the matter is being treated.
The tourist massacre in Pahalgam has angered many in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is under pressure to act. He promised in a recent speech that the attackers would be hunted down "to the ends of the earth." India blames Pakistan for supporting the militants, but Pakistan has denied any link. It has offered an independent probe into the attack.
India and Pakistan have a long and bitter history over Kashmir. Both countries control parts of the region but want it entirely. They have already fought three wars, and Kashmir was the main reason for two of them. Their border in the region, known as the Line of Control, sees regular gunfire and tension.
After the attack, India quickly responded by cutting ties. It canceled visas for Pakistanis and pulled out of a water-sharing deal. That treaty, which has been in place since 1960, is vital for both sides. It controls water from the Indus River, which supports millions of people. Pakistan said any move to block water would be seen as an act of war.
In the past few days, both countries have shown off their military strength. Pakistan said it shot down an Indian drone used for spying in Kashmir. India’s navy tested long-range missiles to show its forces are ready. Gunfire has been reported along the border for five straight nights.
Leaders from around the world are now trying to stop the situation from getting worse. Top officials from major countries are calling both sides and urging calm. They fear that another war between India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, could have deadly consequences.
China, which also claims part of Kashmir and is close to Pakistan, has asked both sides to avoid fighting. China said a war would harm both countries and hurt the region.
Meanwhile, the people living near the border are caught in the middle. Many fear that another attack or strike could happen at any moment. Shops remain shut, and security forces are everywhere. The tension is rising by the hour.
