Pakistan’s Nuclear Warning to India
Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia has issued a stark warning, stating that any military attack from India or disruptions to Pakistan’s water supply could lead to a full military response, including nuclear options.
In an interview with Russian broadcaster RT, Mohammed Khalid Jamali expressed concerns over credible intelligence suggesting that India might be planning a military strike on Pakistani territory. “There are several documents indicating plans to target certain areas of Pakistan,” he remarked, emphasizing a feeling of urgency and the potential for imminent action.
This statement marks one of the most explicit threats of nuclear retaliation from Pakistani officials in recent years. “We in Pakistan are prepared to utilize the full range of both conventional and nuclear capabilities,” Jamali asserted.
This warning comes on the heels of the tragic terrorist attacks in Pahargam, Jammu and Kashmir, that resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily tourists. The incident has contributed to rising tensions between the two nuclear-capable nations. While India has denied any involvement by Islamabad, it has accused Pakistan of backing the groups responsible for the attacks.
In a retaliatory move, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—a 1960 agreement mediated by the World Bank that governs the distribution of water from the Indus River and its tributaries. The treaty has been viewed as a crucial stabilizing factor in their often strained relations, surviving multiple wars.
Jamali described the suspension of this agreement as a declaration of war. He stated, “Any attempt to seize the waters or alter their flow is an act of war against Pakistan, and we will respond decisively, utilizing our full capabilities.”
This warning echoes sentiments expressed by Pakistan’s defense minister, Kawaja Asif, in a recent interview, where he suggested that India targeting infrastructure built on the Indian river would violate the treaty. Asif stated, “If they’re planning to construct these structures, we will take action. An attack isn’t solely about firing weapons; it can also manifest in other forms, like restricting water flow, which could lead to severe consequences for survival.”
Amid these escalating tensions, Pakistani forces conducted a test launch of the Abdali surface-to-surface missile, which has a range of 450 kilometers and is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. The military described this launch as a measure to ensure “operational readiness.”
The Indian government perceives this test as a significant provocation, though no official comment has been made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the missile launch.
In addition, on Saturday, India prohibited the import of goods passing through Pakistan and prevented Pakistani ships from entering Indian ports. Indian airlines have been instructed not to dock at Pakistani ports. In response, Pakistan quickly announced its own restrictions on Indian vessels.
Moreover, the Director of Maritime Transport has ordered a halt to all maritime commerce between the two nations, impacting all goods from Pakistan, including those transiting through third countries. Since India imposed a high tariff in 2019 following the Pulwama attack, bilateral trade has effectively been frozen.
Recent measures also include halting postal exchanges and closing the Atariwaga land border crossing.
