Pakistan Begins War Preparations, Approves Military Response If India Attacks

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated further with the Pakistan government headed by Imran Khan authorizing its military to “respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure” by neighboring India. Both are nuclear-armed rivals.

This was revealed in a government statement released after the meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee on Thursday, chaired by Prime Minister Khan.

In the statement, Pakistan claimed that it was “not involved in any way, means or form” in the Pulwama attack, which it called “conceived, planned and executed indigenously.”

In the Pulwama attack, 41 Indian soldiers were killed. India responded with halting trade with Pakistan and stopped a bus service that was connecting the Indian side of Kashmir with the Pakistani-controlled part in Kashmir.

Pak preparing war logistics

Meanwhile, an Indian newspaper reported that Pakistan is going ahead with war logistics at border areas. Quoting two official documents, the report said the neighboring country is preparing for war with India.

One of the documents, a letter by Headquarters Quetta Logistics Area of the Pakistan army in Quetta cantonment to Gilani hospital on Feb 20 urged medical support for treating injured soldiers for a possible war against India.

The letter also demands all private hospitals to earmark 25 percent of their beds for military use.

The report also cited a letter by the government of Pakistan occupied Kashmir that urged the local administration to issue advisories to residents in Neelum, Jehlum, Rawalkot, and Haveli located along the line of control (LoC) over a possible attack by the Indian forces. The letter also cautions residents to take safer routes while traveling and avoid congregation.

India’s charge

India alleges that Pakistan is funding, arming and controlling anti-national groups in Kashmir and sponsoring terror activities in the Indian state. After partition in 1947, both India and Pakistan are claiming Kashmir as theirs.

In the Himalayan region of Kashmir, one part is ruled by Pakistan, which India calls as Pak occupied Kashmir (Pok) and alleges that is the hub of Pak-backed Kashmir rebels.

Pakistan, on the other hand, blames India for its policies for the violence in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, India stated that it is pressing the global watch body, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to retain Pakistan in the terrorism financing watch list.

The FATF is holding a meeting in Paris where Pakistan was hoping to get off the greylist. A report quoting Indian officials said they have provided new information on Pakistan’s involvement to the FATF in the wake of the recent Pulwama terror attack on Indian forces.