Azernews.Az

Akbar Novruz

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Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that any military action initiated by India would be met with full force, stating that such a scenario could spiral into a full-scale war between two nuclear-armed neighbors, Azernews reports.

Asif urged the international community to pay close attention to the escalating tensions, emphasizing the potential for a "catastrophic" conflict. “Any action initiated by India will be responded to with full force. If they attack or take a similar step, it will result in a major retaliation,” he said.

The minister stressed that the presence of nuclear weapons on both sides of the border raises the stakes significantly: “The tension between nuclear-armed countries is always worrying. These are two nuclear states—if the situation gets out of control, the consequences can be catastrophic."

The sharp rhetoric comes in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, where gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists, killing at least 17 people. The incident has reignited long-standing hostilities in the region, where cross-border accusations and military alerts have often accompanied periods of violence.

Regional observers are watching closely as both nations increase security measures and harden their rhetoric, raising concerns over a possible escalation.