By Afshain Afzal

The war phobia has taken both Pakistan and India to the brink of a full-fledge war. Islamabad denies her involvement but New Delhi blames Pakistan despit doubtful. Indian Cabinet Committee on Security has proposed surgical strikes simultaneously on three locations inside Pakistan after 1 May 2025. Meanwhile, the Indian Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Defence and External hierarchy held meeting with the senior Indian military officers including Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi where India Military ruled out Indian capacity to wage full fledge war. Reportedly, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi demanded at least six to eight months for the preparation as situation is tense in Eastern Command, however, he did not stress on delaying surgical strikes from high altitude.

Meanwhile, Islamabad has placed its Armed Forces on high alert including Pakistan Air Force and Special Forces while some officers and soldiers got their fresh posting orders for emergency moves. Pakistan Army has setup Nerve Centers with at least 8 tri-services ‘War Rooms’ and allied ‘Operation Rooms’ at all the Brigade Headquarters level. There were movements of heavy military equipment to unknown locations in several cities and reportedly drone units have also been activated. However, till 27 April 2024, there was information of cancellation of leaves. It is added that after the visit high-level Bangladeshi delegation to Pakistan this year, both countries are enjoying military partnership and have come very close to each other and they may cooperate.

The situations in North Eastern India as well as Indian held Jammu and Kashmir are extremely tense nowadays and there are reports that Pahalgam terrorist attack might be planned to divert attention from troubled East. New Delhi has moved additional units of Indian Army and Para military forces. Unconfirmed reports claim that elements from Easter Command Shillong were moved from their peace locations to troubles states. If we recall that military operations are in progress in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram while tension is high in Assam. The Center imposed Presidential Rules on 13 February 2025 whereas the tenure of the Assemblies was till 2027. The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Kangleipak Communist Party (PEG), the United People’s Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) and others are hostile. The Indian agencies are trying to divide the states on ethnic-religious lines to prevent them from joining Bangladesh or wining independence from India.

There is positive development where that the Indian authorities have handed over the probe of 22^nd April Pahalgam terrorist attack to National Investigation Agency (NIA) but delay in filing fresh FIR on 26 April and collection of evidences at this stage might result in wrong analysis due to tampered evidences. They would re-examine the witnesses and the mobile footages, which were mostly edited through Artificial Intelligence apps. Pakistan has already offered India assistance in the investigation, which New Delhi must take positively. Both countries must remove suspicion and doubts and settle the on going and other issues peacefully through dialogue and peaceful means. Both India and Pakistan should realize that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is disputed and internationally recognized, how it is possible that this issue cannot have any solution?