India-Pakistan: Nuclear Tensions Escalate
Dilara GAYIR tarafındanTensions between India and Pakistan have recently flared up again with mutual airstrikes and drone downings. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described India’s attacks as a “threat of nuclear war” and said his country would defend itself.
Both countries have around 170 nuclear warheads and have used nuclear deterrents in past conflicts. However, recent developments suggest that this deterrent is weakening and miscalculations could lead to a major conflict.
In the early hours of Wednesday, India said it had launched a series of missile strikes on what it called “terrorist infrastructure sites” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan said six locations were hit, with 26 people killed and 46 injured.
Meanwhile, India’s army said 10 civilians were killed by Pakistani shelling on its side of the de facto border. Pakistan said it shot down five Indian jets and a drone. Delhi has not commented on this.
Major escalation: India and Pakistan are on the brink of a wider conflict after India launched strikes on both Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India said it targeted “terrorist infrastructure” in the wake of a tourist massacre in India-controlled Kashmir last month.
• Deadly attacks: Pakistan’s military said 31 people were killed in India’s attacks. According to a senior Indian defense source, shelling by Pakistan killed at least 12 people on the Indian side of the de facto border that divides Kashmir.
• Pakistan pledges retaliation: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan will only hit military targets in India. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed Pakistan destroyed Indian fighter jets in an hour-long air battle.
• About the Kashmir dispute: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan each control parts of Kashmir but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the territory.
Dilara GAYIR
