Nuclear war can break out at any time: Pak defence minister

The possibility of a nuclear war between Pakistan and India is definitely present, and it can occur if there is a standoff between the two sides, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said today (7 May), reports the DAWN.

"If they (India) impose an all-out war on the region and if such dangers arise in which there is a standoff, then at any time a nuclear war can break out," he said in an interview to Geo News.

He further said: "If they (India) aggravate this [matter] then if a chance of war arises in which there is a sign of nuclear option being used on both sides, then the responsibility for that will be on India."

Tensions between the two neighbouring countries escalated after India launched strikes in Pakistan last night, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

The Indian government has emphasised that the strikes were "measured and non-escalatory," targeting only known terror camps and avoiding civilian, economic, or military facilities.

Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing, Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that at least eight people had been killed and 35 injured.

India says 15 people have been killed on their side.