Overview

• Pakistan claims to have credible intelligence that India plans a military strike within 24–36 hours, citing the Pahalgam attack as the pretext.
• India has granted its armed forces operational freedom to respond, emphasizing its commitment to counterterrorism efforts following the April 22 attack that killed 26 civilians.
• Both nations maintain nuclear-capable forces, with India adhering to a no-first-use policy and Pakistan reserving the right to first use if provoked.
• India’s estimated nuclear arsenal includes 160 warheads, while Pakistan’s stockpile is believed to range between 170 and 200, with both nations modernizing their delivery systems.
• The United States and other global actors are urging restraint, highlighting the crisis's potential to destabilize regional security and reshape global diplomatic priorities.