Pak-Ind tension: 28 Pakistanis return home as 120 Indians sent back

LAHORE: Cross-border tensions between Pakistan and India continued to escalate on Thursday as both countries took reciprocal measures at the Wagah-Attari border following the recent Pahalgam incident. According to officials, 120 Indians have returned home in the last 36 hours, while 28 Pakistanis made their way to home after India issued advisory on Tuesday.

The parade gate at the Wagah border has been closed amid rising Pak-India tensions, and Pakistan had also ordered a halt to all activities at the Wagah-Attari border. Following India’s reaction to the Pahalgam tragedy Pakistan had also9 instructed Indian citizens to leave the country within 48 hours, save those belonging to the Sikh community.

The developments follow Tuesday’s deadly incident in Pahalgam, which has sparked a fresh diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Earlier, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence strongly condemned the incident and rejected what it called India’s “unfounded allegations” against Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that the current standoff with India over the recent Kashmir shooting could spiral into an ‘all-out war’. Asif said the world should be “worried” given the nuclear capabilities of both nations.

He expressed hope for a diplomatic solution but added that Pakistan’s military was “prepared for any eventuality.”

His remarks came after 26 tourists were killed in Indian-held Kashmir, an attack New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Asif rejected the claim, calling it a “false flag operation” staged by India.

Pakistan closes air space for Indian airlines, warns against water treaty violation

“We will respond proportionately to any Indian move,” he said. “But if there’s an all-out attack, then expect an all-out war.”

When asked if the world should be concerned, Asif replied, “Yes, absolutely. A clash between two nuclear powers is always dangerous… If this goes wrong, the consequences could be tragic.”