A military incursion by India is imminent, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said following a deadly Kashmir militant attack last week. Tensions are rapidly escalating between the two nuclear-armed nations, both of which claim Kashmir and have fought multiple wars over the disputed region.

The attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, has sparked outrage in India and fueled demands for retaliation against Pakistan. India has accused Pakistan of supporting militancy in Kashmir, intensifying long-standing Pakistan-India tensions.

Pakistan anticipates Indian military action 

"We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation, some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken," Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Reuters during an interview in Islamabad.

Asif noted that India's aggressive rhetoric was increasing, and that Pakistan’s military had already briefed the government regarding the likelihood of a military incursion. While he did not provide specific details, he stressed that Pakistan was preparing for any potential action.

Asif emphasized that Pakistan remains on high alert, but also cautioned that any use of the country's nuclear arsenal would be a last resort. "We would only use our nuclear weapons if there is a direct threat to our existence," he stated, underlining the seriousness of the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.

Tensions rising

Following the Kashmir militant attack, Indian authorities identified two of the suspected militants as Pakistani nationals. However, Islamabad has firmly denied any involvement and has called for a neutral, international investigation into the incident.

Rather, a group that identifies itself as the Kashmir Resistance group claimed responsibility, citing opposition to the demographic changes, namely the settlement of over 85,000 "outsiders" since India revoked Kashmir's special status in 2019.

Since the attack, Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged gunfire in disputed Kashmir for a fourth consecutive night, according to New Delhi's army on Monday, marking the latest escalation in violence as tensions between the rival nuclear-armed neighbors continue to worsen.

"During the night of April 27-28... Pakistan Army posts initiated unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control", the Indian Army announced in a statement, referring to the de facto border in Kashmir. "Indian troops responded swiftly and effectively," India added.

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