India is planning to launch another attack inside Pakistan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Sunday, while asking world powers to take note of New Delhi’s “irresponsible” behavior.
Qureshi told journalists in his hometown of Multan that India – where ultrnatoionalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing a tough reelection bid – is planning to attack Pakistan between April 16 and 20.
“Foreign Secretary has informed permanent five members of United Nations’ Security Council (UNSC) of Pakistan’s concern regarding Indian aggression,” Qureshi said.
Islamabad doesn’t want New Delhi to commit the folly of attacking Pakistan again after its February foray, which by impartial accounts went amiss and cost New Delhi international embarrassment after Pakistan downed its warplane and captured the pilot.
Meanwhile, New Delhi has rejected the Pakistani assertion that it plans to carry out another military incursion into Pakistan, terming it as irresponsible and preposterous.
South Asian watchers believe Modi, whose BJP ruling party relies on right-wing politics and has the backing of several violent extremist groups, wants to up his victory prospects by showing himself as tough on security issues vis-à-vis Pakistan.
Days after an attack on Indian security forces in Pulwama, New Delhi claimed it struck a militant group JeM’s training camp in Pakistan and that it shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet in a dogfight in the disputed Kashmir region. India says Pakistan-based JeM militant group was behind Pulwama attack which killed 40 security personnel. Islamabad has denied any involvement and demanded a concrete evidence.
But U.S. defense officials – as reported by Foreign Policy magazine – say they have carried a count of the Pakistani warplanes and found none had gone missing.
Qureshi urged the major powers to play their role instead of being silent spectators.
“International community should take notice of Indian’s irresponsible behavior,” said the minister.
The FM’s statement came the same day as Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government released 100 Indian fishermen as a peace gesture. Imran Khan had also released the Indian pilot Abhinandan of the fallen warplane.
