Pakistan Feared Indian Air Strikes

India was preparing to hits areas identified as militant camps, says official

By Amelia Atlas, Newser User

Posted Dec 7, 2008 6:56 AM CST

(Newser) – Pakistan feared a retaliatory attack by India after the Mumbai terrorist siege, a Pakistani official told the BBC. Evidence indicated that India was planning an air raid on suspected militant training camps, he said. Despite worries that India planned "to teach Pakistan a lesson, we wouldn't have gone—and I'm sure India wouldn't have gone—for full-scale war," he said. "But then, on the other side, how would we have reacted? We have to defend ourselves."

A troubling phone call heightened tensions as officials from both countries sought to navigate the terror aftermath. A threatening prank call to President Zardari by someone claiming to be the Indian foreign minister put Pakistan on alert, according to a Pakistani newspaper. But the Pakistani government insists the call was real. "It is not possible for any call to come through to the president without multiple caller identity verifications," said one official.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Hundreds of people last week chant pro-India slogans and carry candles in memory of people killed in the terror attacks in Mumbai. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

Indian commandos show the thumbs-up sign after the completion of their operation inside the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai last month. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks at a press conference at the US Embassy in New Delhi last week. She said Pakistan must show "resolve and urgency" as she called for cooperation. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

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There was circumstantial evidence that India was going to make a quick strike against Pakistan to teach her a lesson. - Pakistani High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hassan

We wouldn't have gone, and I'm sure India wouldn't have gone for full-scale war. But then, on the other side, how would we have reacted? That could be anybody's guess. We are a smaller country, we have to defend ourselves. - Wajid Shamsul Hassan

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Pakistan Feared Indian Air Strikes