High possibility of military retaliation in Kashmir under Modi’s leadership: US intelligence

There is high possibility of war between India and Pakistan in the event of terror attacks or an orchestrated “violent unrest in Kashmir” by extremist groups based in Pakistan, according the US Director of National Intelligence report

The US Director of National Intelligence assessment report, released on February 6, raised fears about an Indian retaliation against Pakistan in the event of a terror attack on India or a “violent unrest in Kashmir” orchestrated by Pak-based extremist groups. The annual threat assessment report predicts the possibility of a conflict between India and Pakistan with particular concern due to the risk of an “escalatory cycle between two nuclear-armed states”. “Previous standoffs have demonstrated that persistent low-level friction on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has the potential to escalate swiftly,” it said.

The report says “each side’s perception of heightened tensions raises the risk of conflict, with violent unrest in Kashmir or a militant attack in India being potential flashpoints.”

However, the US Director of National Intelligence assessment has predicted that India-China ties will remain strained after the 2020 Galwan clash.

The report acknowledges a higher probability of India responding with military force under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “perceived or real Pakistani provocations”.

The report comes at a time when India and Pakistan traded charges on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on women, peace and security.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador, Ruchira Kamboj, called Zardari’s remarks “baseless and politically motivated” and said that it was “unworthy” to even respond to such “malicious and false propaganda”.

In her response, Kamboj dismissed Zardari’s remarks as “frivolous” and said, “Before I conclude, let me dismiss the frivolous, baseless and politically motivated remarks made by the delegate of Pakistan regarding the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.”

-INDIA NEWS STREAM