INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistans ambassador to Russia warned this weekend of a potential : nuclear : response
if the Indian military decides to strike Islamabad.
The Pakistani envoy added that this response may also take place in case India :
disrupts : Pakistans water supply.
Speaking to Russian broadcaster RT, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Pakistans ambassador to Moscow, claimed he
had : credible intelligence : suggesting that an attack by India was imminent.
: There are some other leaked documents whereby it has
been decided to strike certain areas of Pakistan, : Jamali said
: So that makes us feel that this is going to happen and its imminent
:
He added that if such a scenario does play out, Pakistan will retaliate by using : the full spectrum of power, both conventional and
:
Jamails warning comes a day after Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that any structure built by India to divert water would
be met with strikes.
: That will be aggression against Pakistan… even if they (India) made an architectural attempt of this kind, then
Pakistan will destroy that structure, : said Asif.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following the terror attack in Jammu
and Kashmirs Pahalgam last month, which killed 26 tourists.
On Saturday, India took fresh steps to completely block out Pakistan amid the
rising tension, banning the import of all goods originating in Pakistan, prohibiting Pakistan-flagged vessels calling at Indian ports, and
stopping the exchange of mail and parcels by land and air routes.
Indias government cited national security and national interest as reasons
for the measures, which came against the backdrop of India also undercutting Pakistan at international fora as part of the efforts to build
a global consensus against Islamabad, the Hindustan Times reported.
The latest move follows on previous orders issued by India against
Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of its airspace to Pakistani aircraft, the expulsion of most
Pakistani nationals, and the closure of the only operational land border crossing at Attari.
It has also asked the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) to review loans to the neighbouring country, Hindustan Times reported.
Pakistan meanwhile has unveiled several counter-measures
such as closing its airspace to Indian airliners and suspending all trade, as it offered to participate in an independent investigation of
the attack — a proposition that New Delhi sees as meaningless.
Last month, a group of heavily armed militants emerged from the woods and
targeted tourists on the Baisaran grassland near Pahalgam
Twenty-six people were killed in the attack.
The post Pakistan diplomat warns of ‘nuclear response : if India strikes Islamabad first
