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PAKISTAN'S defence minister has warned that a row over a mass shooting in Kashmir could lead to an "all-out war" with India – as tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals hit boiling point.

Khawaja Asif said his country would "respond in kind" to any attack by New Delhi and said the world should be "worried" about the prospect of a full-scale conflict.

Indian soldier patrolling near a wooden fence in Kashmir.
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An Indian soldier patrols after the attack in PahalgamCredit: AFP
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif speaking to the media.
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Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad AsifCredit: Getty - Contributor
People carrying the body of a Navy officer draped in the Indian flag.
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People carry the body of Vinay Narwal, a Navy officer, who was killed in the attackCredit: Reuters
A grieving relative of a tourist killed in an attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
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A relative of Hemant Joshi, who was a victim in a deadly attack on tourists in the Pahalgam region of Indian-administered Kashmir, reacts at Dombivali near MumbaiCredit: AP

He told : "We will measure our response to whatever is initiated by India. It would be a measured response".

"If there is an all-out attack or something like that, then obviously there will be an all-out war."

Asked whether the international community should be concerned, he replied: "Yes, I think so. The clash between two nuclear powers is always worrisome...

"If things get wrong, there could be a tragic outcome of this confrontation."

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But he also added: "I hope there is some reconciliation and some negotiation... some efforts to resolve this issue peacefully."

India and Pakistan have cancelled visas for each other's citizens as tensions flare up following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir.

The two South Asian nuclear powers have exchanged tit-for-tat measures after the horrific assault in which gunmen killed 26 people.

Most of the victims were Indian tourists visiting the mountainous region - which both counties claim and each partially controls.

India blamed Pakistan for Tuesday's attack in Pahalgam and has downgraded diplomatic ties with its neighbour.

New Delhi also suspended a water-sharing treaty and closed a border crossing.

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The country's foreign ministry has revoked visas for all Pakistani nationals, effective from Sunday.

It has also advised Indians against travel to Pakistan.

Pakistan denies India's allegations and has closed its airspace to Indian-owned and operated airlines.

Air India has announced that some flights to the UK, North America, Europe and the Middle East will have to take alternate routes as a result.

The country is also suspending trade with its neighbour and cancelled visas for Indian nationals.

A militant group called Kashmir Resistance claims responsibility for the horror attack.

The moves are the latest escalation in bitter tensions between the two countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the attack's perpetrators "to the ends of the Earth".

Why are India and Pakistan enemies?

Disputes between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir date back decades.

The Muslim-majority territory was fought over in the aftermath of both countries' independence following the partition of India in 1947.

War between India and Pakistan would break out again in 1965 - which ended in a ceasefire.

Kashmir's control remains divided to this day, and tensions frequently flare up over the region.

India also fought Pakistan wars in 1971 and 1999 - with the conflict in the 70s resulting the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

Both nations are nuclear armed powers.

"I say to the whole world, India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers," he said.

Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir published notices today naming three suspected militants they allege were involved.

Two of them are claimed to be Pakistani nationals.

But Indian authorities have not yet provided any proof linking the attack to Pakistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said any attempt to disrupt the Indus Waters Treaty would be met with "full force" from his country.

He also chaired a meeting of Pakistan's National Security Committee.

"Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty... will be considered as an act of war," a statement from Islamabad reads.

Protesters have hit the streets of both countries to urge their respective governments to push further.

Kashmir is a popular tourist domestic destination, and is claimed by both India and Pakistan.

India has frequently accused its neighbour of supporting militants in the region - a claim that Pakistan denies.

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Each country controls part of Kashmir, and the dispute has escalated into violence several times.

India and Pakistan, both of which are nuclear powers, have fought each other several times since the partition in 1947.

Protestors burning an Indian flag in Hyderabad, Pakistan.
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Supporters of Islamic political party Pakistan Markazi Muslim League burn a mock Indian flag during a rally against India’s suspension of Indus Water TreatyCredit: EPA
Protestors in Ahmedabad condemn the killing of tourists in Kashmir.
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Supporters of Vishva Hindu Parishad protest in Ahmedabad on April 23, 2025, to condemn the killing of tourists by gunmen in Kashmir’s PahalgamCredit: AFP
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