A former Pakistani national security adviser has warned that his country is on the brink of an “all-out war” with India after the countries exchanged missile strikes overnight. Moeed Yusuf warned that we could see conflict between “two nuclear powers” as he urged both Islamabad and Delhi to “sit down and talk.”
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Yusuf said: “This is not a good situation, the world must wake up to the reality that two nuclear powers are on the brink of an all-out war.” He added that Pakistan “never wanted to escalate,” but the country has now decided “that enough is enough.”
Mr Yusuf continued: “We are not sacrificial lambs, we will stand up. If India does not respond now, I’m sure Pakistan will say thank you, that’s it.”
His comments came as India and Pakistan exchanged missile strikes overnight, targeting airbases in the respective countries.
Pakistan has said its strikes were a “counterattack” following India’s strikes earlier this week.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country has “avenged the blood of innocent lives”, adding that Islamabad will consider de-escalation if India does not carry out any more attacks.
India said Pakistani forces targeted more than 26 Indian military sites.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with top security officials at his residence following the escalation in tensions with Pakistan, AP reports.
On Friday, it was reported that loud explosions were heard near Srinagar International Airport in India-controlled Kashmir.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Indian and Pakistani soldiers have exchanged heavy fire on their border, with India accusing its neighbour of a “blatant escalation.”
Pakistan claimed it had killed 40-50 Indian soldiers near the border earlier this week.
The two countries have endured tense relations for decades. The recent rise in hostilities came after a terror attack in India-controlled Kashmir in April, in which at least 36 people were killed.
India accused Pakistan of being behind the attack, allegations Islamabad denied.