Pak to respond with 'full force' if attacked

Envoy to Russia says Pakistani intelligence has evidence India planning military aggression

Pakistan will respond with the "full spectrum of power" if India attacks it or disrupts vital water flows, the country's ambassador to Russia, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, has said.

Speaking to RT, Russia's state television, on Saturday, the ambassador said Pakistani intelligence has evidence that India plans military aggression against Pakistan.

"There are some other leaked documents whereby it has been decided to strike certain areas of Pakistan," Jamali said. "So that makes us feel that this is going to happen and it's imminent."

The ambassador warned that Pakistan is prepared to respond to any aggression: "We in Pakistan will use the full spectrum of power, both conventional and nuclear."

He also reiterated Islamabad's position regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a key agreement between India and Pakistan, which New Delhi suspended in the wake of the attack.

"Any attempt to usurp the water of the lower riparian, or to stop it, or to divert it would be an act of war against Pakistan and would be responded to with full force of power including full spectrum of power," the envoy said.

Jamali, however, urged de-escalation, noting the potential danger given that both countries possess nuclear weapons. "As both the countries are nuclear powers, there is all the more need to deescalate the tensions."

India wasted no time in accusing Pakistan of a militant attack that occurred in the afternoon of April 22 in Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination around 6km from the town of Pahalgam. The Resistance Front, a little known militant group, reportedly claimed responsibility.

New Delhi earlier reduced the staff at the Pakistani High Commission, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and closing its land border – and Islamabad responded with reciprocal measures.

The Indian government also suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals. On Saturday, New Delhi announced a set of further measures aimed at downgrading already severed trade ties with Pakistan.

Pakistan earlier called for "neutral and credible investigations" into the Kashmir attack.

"I think here the role of the international community comes in. And in this regard, we expect that powers like China and Russia can participate in those investigations," the ambassador added.