Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on Saturday that Pakistan would consider de-escalation measures if India ceased its attacks. This statement followed India’s assertion that it sought non-escalation, contingent on Pakistan agreeing to the same terms. The two nations engaged in reciprocal strikes on Saturday, amidst an escalating conflict stemming from a massacre the previous month, which India attributes to Pakistan.
Dar conveyed a warning that Pakistan would retaliate if India initiated any further strikes. Speaking to Pakistan’s Geo News, Dar mentioned that he had also communicated this message to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who contacted him following Rubio’s discussion with Indian officials.
Pakistan claims to have targeted military installations within India in a series of recent attacks. According to Dar, Pakistan’s actions were a response to what they perceived as a limit to their patience. Dar indicated a willingness to halt their actions if India also ceased its attacks, stating, "If they stop here, we will also consider stopping."
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio spoke with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the urgent need for both countries to identify strategies for de-escalation and to re-establish direct channels of communication to prevent miscalculations. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed this, adding that the Secretary offered U.S. support to facilitate productive discussions between the two nations.
India reported targeting Pakistani air bases in response to what it described as Islamabad’s firing of several missiles at military and civilian infrastructure in India’s Punjab state earlier on Saturday. Pakistan had earlier asserted that it intercepted a majority of the missiles and was conducting retaliatory strikes.
Indian Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stated at a press conference in New Delhi that Pakistan had targeted health facilities and schools located at three air bases in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Qureshi stated that a "befitting reply" had been given to Pakistani actions.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh declared India’s commitment to non-escalation, provided Pakistan reciprocated. However, Singh also noted the movement of Pakistani ground forces toward forward areas, interpreting this as an indication of an offensive intent to further escalate the situation. Singh affirmed that Indian armed forces remained in a high state of operational readiness.
Singh elaborated that India’s forces carried out "precision strikes" exclusively targeting identified military targets in response to Pakistani actions. These targets included technical infrastructure, command and control centers, radar locations, and weapon storage areas, with the aim of ensuring "minimum collateral damage." Singh concluded by asserting that "all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to appropriately."
The Pakistani military reported utilizing medium-range Fateh missiles to target an Indian missile storage facility and airbases in the Indian cities of Pathankot and Udhampur.
Pakistan Army spokesman, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, stated that the country’s air force assets were secure following India’s strikes.
Earlier in the day, external sources reported varying perspectives on the conflict. One source, Vance, reportedly stated that the India-Pakistan conflict was "none of our business," while another source indicated that former U.S. President Trump offered U.S. assistance.
The conflict has its roots in a recent massacre, which India has blamed on Pakistan. The specific details of the massacre were not provided in this report.
The escalating tensions have prompted international concern, with the United States offering to facilitate discussions between the two nations. The situation remains volatile, with both sides accusing each other of initiating hostilities and taking steps that could lead to further escalation.
Both countries are nuclear powers, raising the stakes of the conflict significantly and increasing international pressure to find a peaceful resolution. The focus remains on whether both sides will heed the calls for de-escalation and engage in meaningful dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict. The global community is closely watching the situation, hoping for a swift and peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation and potential humanitarian consequences. The conflicting narratives surrounding the attacks and counter-attacks make it difficult to ascertain the precise sequence of events and the extent of the damage inflicted by both sides. This highlights the importance of independent verification and objective reporting to provide a clear picture of the situation on the ground.
The U.S. Secretary of State’s involvement underscores the international community’s concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The offer of U.S. support to facilitate productive discussions indicates a willingness to play a mediating role in the conflict. However, the success of any such mediation will depend on the willingness of both sides to engage in good faith negotiations and to address the underlying issues driving the conflict.
The statements from both Indian and Pakistani officials reveal a willingness to consider de-escalation, but only on the condition that the other side ceases its attacks. This mutual conditionality highlights the distrust and lack of confidence between the two nations. Building trust and establishing clear communication channels will be crucial for any successful de-escalation effort.
The reports of Pakistani ground forces moving toward forward areas are particularly concerning, as they suggest a potential for further escalation of the conflict. The Indian armed forces’ high state of operational readiness indicates that they are prepared to respond to any further aggression from Pakistan. The situation remains tense and unpredictable, with the potential for further escalation if either side miscalculates or misinterprets the other’s actions.
The international community will likely continue to monitor the situation closely and to urge both sides to exercise restraint and to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. The stakes are high, and the potential consequences of further escalation are severe. A peaceful resolution to the conflict is essential for the stability and security of the region and the world.
