Will use full spectrum of power: Pak envoy’s nuke threat to India amid tensions

“When it comes to India and Pakistan, we don’t want to get involved into this debate of numerical strength. We will use the full spectrum of power – both conventional and nuclear,” he said.

Jamali asserted that the armed forces, “supported by the people of Pakistan”, would respond with “full spectrum of power”.

Pakistan has been fearing Indian retaliation since Pakistan-backed terrorists attacked tourists in the Baisaran valley in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The valley is accessible only by foot or horseback.

Earlier, Pakistan minister Hanif Abbasi openly threatened India with nuclear retaliation, warning that Pakistan’s arsenal – including Ghori, Shaheen, and Ghaznavi missiles along with 130 nuclear warheads – has been kept “only for India”.

Abbasi said if India dares to halt Pakistan’s water supply by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, it should “prepare for a full-scale war”.

In a late-night press conference, Ataullah Tarar, another Pakistan minister, on Wednesday claimed that his country had received “credible intelligence”, indicating India may carry out a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours.

Tarar, whose X account has been blocked in India, warned that any act of aggression would be met with a decisive response and hold India accountable for any serious consequences in the region.

His remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the Indian armed forces “complete operational freedom” to respond to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, government sources told India Today TV.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told news agency Reuters that a military incursion by India was imminent. Pakistan was on high alert but would only use its nuclear weapons if “there is a direct threat to our existence”, Asif said.

ABOUT PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK

On April 22, terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists visiting the Baisaran valley, a meadow which is accessible only by foot or horseback. In the process, 26 people, including a Nepali national, were killed in the carnage.

Terrorists singled out non-Muslim tourists and shot them at point-blank range after being asked to recite the Kalma, or the Islamic declaration of faith.

PM Modi, who has held a flurry of key security and cabinet meetings this week, has vowed that his government will hunt down the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.

India downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan and took a flurry of measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelling all visas issued to Pakistani nationals and shutting airspace to Pakistani airlines.

On the other hand, Pakistan, fearing Indian retaliation, has announced tit-for-tit measures and suspended the Simla Agreement.

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