Tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan continued to escalate Saturday, with missile strikes and military operations exchanged across the border, prompting urgent calls for de-escalation from global powers.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said no meeting of the National Command Authority — the top civil-military body overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal — had taken place nor was one planned. “This thing that you have spoken about [nuclear option] is present, but let’s not talk about it – we should treat it as a very distant possibility, we shouldn’t even discuss it in the immediate context,” Asif told ARY TV, as reported by Reuters.
The clarification followed an earlier statement by Pakistan’s military that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had called for the Authority to convene.
The latest hostilities come just days after India launched strikes on alleged terrorist camps within Pakistani territory — an operation that New Delhi claims was in retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month. Islamabad has denied any involvement in that attack and has dismissed India’s military response as “politically motivated” and “unfounded.”
Pakistan said Saturday’s operation, dubbed Operation Bunyanun Marsoos, was in response to Indian missile attacks on three air bases, including one near the capital Islamabad. “India through its planes launched air-to-surface missiles … Nur Khan base, Mureed base and Shorkot base were made targets,” Pakistani military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said in a televised statement, as reported by Reuters.
India countered that its strikes were retaliatory and limited. “All hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded appropriately,” Indian Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said during a news conference, adding that Pakistani forces were moving toward forward areas, “indicating offensive intent to further escalate the situation,” as reported by Reuters.
Indian authorities also reported civilian deaths from Pakistani missile strikes, including five civilians in Jammu, and said drones were spotted across 26 locations in border regions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for restraint in separate conversations with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar echoed cautious openness to peace, saying on Geo News, “If they stop here, we will also consider stopping.” He added, “We responded because our patience had reached its limit.”
Despite the intensifying conflict, both nations stated they would not escalate further if the other side reciprocated. “Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority closed national airspace until Sunday noon, and people near the border reported panic and evacuations.
International observers have warned that the pace and scale of the current conflict mark the most serious confrontation between the neighbors since 1999.
