Pakistan minister holds emergency press meet at 2 am, says India will launch military operations in 24 to 36 hours

In an emergency press conference held at 2 am, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar issued a stark warning of “catastrophic consequences” if India proceeds with any offensive. His statement, released in a video message across official channels, comes barely hours after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly gave the military a “free hand” to respond to the April 22 massacre in Baisaran, Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan has credible intelligence that India intends carrying out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.
Indian self assumed hubristic role of Judge, Jury and… pic.twitter.com/WVW6yhxTJ0

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) April 29, 2025

Islamabad Alleges Pre-Emptive Indian Strike Plan

“We have credible intelligence-based information that India is planning a military offensive against Pakistan within the next 24 to 36 hours,” Tarar said. “Any action by India will be responded to with full force.”

He emphasized that Pakistan would defend its sovereignty “by all means necessary,” adding, “If India tries to impose war, it will be solely responsible for the disastrous and devastating costs.”

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The minister also accused India of operating on “baseless and concocted allegations” regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack, which saw unarmed tourists gunned down by terrorists. “India’s habit of acting as judge, jury, and executioner is categorically rejected by Pakistan,” Tarar said.

Escalating Rhetoric Amid LoC Skirmishes

Tarar’s alarming remarks follow repeated ceasefire violations reported by Indian defense sources along the Line of Control (LoC). According to the Indian Army, Pakistani troops have engaged in provocative firing in multiple sectors over the past 48 hours, raising fears of a deliberate attempt to trigger broader hostilities.

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Only a day earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif echoed similar concerns, stating on Geo News, “If something has to happen, it will happen in two or three days.” Asif claimed Pakistan had already taken “strategic decisions” anticipating an Indian military operation.

India Maintains Focus on Pahalgam Attack Response

India, meanwhile, has not officially responded to Tarar’s latest claims but remains on high alert. After an emergency Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, Prime Minister Modi is understood to have granted operational freedom to the armed forces, including the choice of mode, targets, and timing for retaliatory action.

Modi had earlier vowed to “identify, track, and punish” the perpetrators and pursue them to the “ends of the earth.” Indian intelligence sources have linked the attack to Pakistan-based terror group The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Diplomatic Fallout Continues

Tensions have surged to a decade-high in the aftermath of the massacre:

• India has downgraded diplomatic ties, revoked all visas for Pakistani nationals, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.
• The Wagah-Attari border crossing has been sealed.
• In retaliation, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft.
• India has also banned over a dozen Pakistani news YouTube channels for spreading “provocative” content.

With both nuclear-armed nations exchanging increasingly hostile rhetoric and military activity intensifying along the LoC, the global community has expressed deep concern. The United Nations has urged restraint, and several foreign missions in both countries have updated their travel advisories.

As the 24-36 hour window approaches, the subcontinent—and indeed the world—waits with bated breath.