ISLAMABAD: In a startling revelation on Sunday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said ‘reliable intelligence’ showed Delhi was planning military action against Pakistan in the third week of April and added that Pakistan had told the five permanent members of the UN Security Council of its concerns.
“Preparations are being made, and there are chances of another attack against Pakistan. According to our information, the action could be taken between April 16-20,” Qureshi said addressing a press conference at his hometown in Multan.
"A new mishap could be staged in Indian-administered Kashmir, just like Pulwama [attack]. And its purpose will be to justify their [India's] offensive against Pakistan and to increase diplomatic pressure against Islamabad."
On February 14, more than 40 Indian security personnel were killed in an attack claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir. India had immediately blamed Pakistan for the attack with Islamabad rejecting all claims and demanding actionable evidence. On February 27, the threat of an all out war rose drastically when India violated Pakistani airspace and launched an air strike on what it said was a militant training base.
The following day, Pakistan responded by shooting down an Indian fighter jet and captured its pilot who was later released as a gesture of peace.
Tensions have since remained high with occasional skirmishes continuing at the disputed Kashmir border and no official de-escalation yet announced. Pakistan’s foreign office has also expressed concern over India’s recent anti-satellite test last week and its procurement of 24 multi-mission MH-60R seahawk helicopters from the US.
Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman, Mohammad Faisal, told Arab News, “De-escalation will be announced when it happens.”
Qureshi did not reveal what evidence had been obtained, but said Prime Minister Imran Khan had agreed to share the information with the country. Meanwhile, he called on the international community to take note and reprimand India for its misconduct.
“I am speaking responsibly, I hold a position of responsibility, and I know the words I utter will be picked up by the international media,” he said.
"We want the international community to take notice of this irresponsible behavior and reprimand them [India] for taking this route.”
Earlier, a senior Pakistani intelligence official told Arab News that India was still seeking an opportunity for reprisal.
Qureshi’s announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan accused India’s Bharatya Janata Party (BJP) leadership for “whipping up war hysteria” over claims that India shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the February standoff, a claim that was disproven by a report published last week in US-based Foreign Policy magazine and which serves a blow to the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is seeking another term in office during Indian general elections this week.
