logo
Pakistan warns it won't de-escalate as conflict with India spirals

Pakistan warns it won't de-escalate as conflict with India spirals

Business Times09-05-2025

[ISLAMABAD] Pakistan has warned it will 'not de-escalate' a spiralling conflict with India, and blamed New Delhi for bringing the two nuclear-armed neighbours closer to a full-blown war, with the death toll from days of violence crossing 50.
The South Asian countries have exchanged fire since India launched air strikes on Pakistani territory on Wednesday, saying they were targeting 'terrorists' after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir last month.
On Friday, the third day of tit-for-tat exchanges, the Indian army said it had 'repulsed' waves of Pakistani attacks using drones and other munitions overnight, and gave a 'befitting reply'.
Pakistan's military spokesman denied that Islamabad was carrying out such attacks, and vowed revenge for the initial Indian strikes.
'We will not de-escalate -- with the damages they did on our side, they should take a hit,' said Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
'So far, we have been protecting ourselves but they will get an answer in our own timing.'
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
Sign Up
Sign Up
The clashes are the worst between the two countries - which have fought three full-scale wars since gaining independence from the British in 1947 - for decades.
Civilians have come under fire on both sides, with Islamabad and New Delhi accusing each other of carrying out unprovoked artillery shelling, and missile and drone strikes.
'Our life is worth nothing. At any time entire families could be wiped out,' said Naseer Ahmed Khan, 50, whose village lies near the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the disputed Kashmir region between Pakistan and India.
'Our children are not able to sleep and we cannot have a meal in peace.'
'Reckless conduct'
Most of the more than 50 deaths were in Pakistan during Wednesday's air strikes by India, and included children.
On Friday, Pakistani security and government officials said five civilians - including a two-year-old girl - were killed by Indian shelling overnight in areas along the heavily militarised LoC.
On the other side, a police official said one woman was killed and two men wounded by heavy shelling.
Pakistani military sources said that its forces had shot down 77 Indian drones in the last two days, with debris of many incursions seen by AFP in cities across the country.
An Indian army spokeswoman on Friday spoke of '300 to 400' Pakistani drones being fired, but it was impossible to verify that claim independently.
Pakistan has accused India of fabricating the drone strikes, and early Saturday its military claimed Delhi's forces had bombed their own territory in Amritsar, without providing evidence.
Pakistan's foreign ministry alleged New Delhi's 'reckless conduct has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict'.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met top security officials on Friday, including his national security advisor, defence minister and the chiefs of the armed forces, his office said.
The two countries have fought several wars over Muslim-majority Kashmir, which both claim in full but administer separately.
Disruptions
Armed groups have stepped up operations in Kashmir since 2019, when Modi's Hindu nationalist government revoked its limited autonomy and took the state under direct rule by New Delhi.
Pakistan has rejected claims by India that it was behind last month's attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, when gunmen killed 26 people, mainly male Hindu tourists.
India blamed the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba - a UN-designated terrorist organisation - for the attack.
The conflict has caused major disruptions to international aviation, with airlines having to cancel flights or use longer routes that do not overfly the India-Pakistan frontier.
India has closed 24 airports, with local media reporting the suspension would remain in place until next week.
The mega Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament was on Friday suspended for a week, while Pakistan suspended its own T20 franchise competition indefinitely, barely a day after relocating it to the United Arab Emirates over the violence.
Mediation offers
World powers have called for both sides to exercise 'restraint', with several offering to mediate the dispute.
On Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir in Islamabad, according to a statement.
That meeting came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his Indian counterpart in Delhi on Thursday, days after visiting Pakistan.
The International Crisis Group, however, said 'foreign powers appear to have been somewhat indifferent' to the prospect of war, despite warnings of possible escalation.
On Friday, Pakistan's military spokesman warned India that further drone or other strikes could lead to 'unpredictable' results.
'They should know that the escalation ladder is always unpredictable,' he said. AFP

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

British and Spanish PMs agree Gibraltar deal unlocks 'huge opportunity'
British and Spanish PMs agree Gibraltar deal unlocks 'huge opportunity'

Straits Times

time44 minutes ago

  • Straits Times

British and Spanish PMs agree Gibraltar deal unlocks 'huge opportunity'

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a bilateral meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain, Thursday, July 18, 2024. Kin Cheung/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo LONDON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in a phone call with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, agreed that a deal on the status of Gibraltar unlocked the opportunity for both countries to advance bilateral relationship, Starmer's office said on Wednesday. "Prime Minister Sánchez congratulated the Prime Minister on his leadership," a Downing Street spokesperson said. "Both leaders also agreed that this development unlocks huge opportunity to advance the bilateral relationship between the UK and Spain, on behalf of the British and Spanish people." Starmer also spoke to Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, the spokesperson said, adding that they both agreed the agreement would allow them to "plan for the long-term while protecting British sovereignty." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Maritime agency warns shipping industry over rising Middle East tensions
Maritime agency warns shipping industry over rising Middle East tensions

Straits Times

time4 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Maritime agency warns shipping industry over rising Middle East tensions

LONDON - Increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to an escalation in military activity that could impact shipping in critical waterways, Britain's maritime agency said on Wednesday. Much of the world's oil and key commodities including grains pass through the region's busy sealanes. The United States and Iran are expected to hold talks this week on Iran's nuclear programme. Washington has threatened to take military action if the talks fail, and Iran said on Wednesday it could strike U.S. bases in the region if conflict arises. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in an advisory note on Wednesday that it was aware of increased tensions in the Middle East which could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners. The UKMTO advised vessels to use caution when passing through the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz. The UKMTO, which gathers reports on threats to shipping, did not specify the nature of the increase in tensions that prompted its alert. "Israel-affiliated merchant shipping is assessed to be at heightened risk of reciprocal military action," British maritime security company Ambrey said separately on Wednesday. "Substantial U.S. support to Israeli offensive action would raise the risk to U.S. shipping and vessels carrying U.S. cargo." Shipping industry and insurance sources said there was growing concern over a spillover from any action by Israel and its arch foe Iran, especially in waters around the Gulf and nearby waters. Last year, Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, and Israel launched airstrikes on targets inside Iran. "Any attack will have a certain potential to escalate and impact shipping as well as implicate military forces of other countries operating in the area, including the United States," said Jakob Larsen, chief safety & security officer with shipping association BIMCO. "A full-blown armed conflict between Israel/U.S. and Iran would most certainly effectively close the Straits of Hormuz at least for a period of time and drive up oil prices." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

EU, Britain seal post-Brexit deal easing Gibraltar border flow
EU, Britain seal post-Brexit deal easing Gibraltar border flow

Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • Straits Times

EU, Britain seal post-Brexit deal easing Gibraltar border flow

FILE PHOTO: A Union Jack flag flutters next to European Union flags at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/ File Photo MADRID/LONDON - The European Union (EU) and Britain reached an agreement on the status of the overseas territory of Gibraltar on Wednesday which facilitates border crossings and ends years of political uncertainty. The status of Gibraltar - an enclave at the southern tip of Spain that has been under British rule since the 18th century - and how to police the border with Spain have been points of contention since Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU. Talks have continued without an agreement since Britain officially left the EU in 2020 over the territory's status and border with Spain. Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped. Spanish citizens can cross using a government ID card. Passport controls have occasionally been re-established in tit-for-tat disputes, however, causing massive queues for up to 15,000 cross-border workers. Under Wednesday's agreement, those arriving at Gibraltar airport will show their passports to both Gibraltar and Spanish border officers. The British Foreign Office said the system would follow a similar model to French police operating in London's St. Pancras station, where the Eurostar train service connecting Britain with mainland Europe runs from. It added that the agreement would provide a practical solution to avoid the need for what it described as "onerous checks" and long delays at the border. "We have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again," British Foreign Minister David Lammy said. Spain had urged Britain to close a deal on Gibraltar's post-Brexit status before the start of new EU border controls, which include a biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens. "This is about the removal of the last fence in Europe," European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said. Sticking points have included what role Spanish officials would have carrying out entry checks to the 29-nation Schengen free travel zone - of which Britain is not a member - at Gibraltar's airport and its ports. "I'm delighted we have finalised a conclusive political agreement which will bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier," Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of Gibraltar, said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store