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Limited Indian-Pakistani Conflict Could Escalate to Nuclear War, Study Says
A recent study by a Pakistani defense official warns that a limited conventional war between rivals India and Pakistan could escalate to a full nuclear conflict, United Press International reported today (see GSN, Jan. 3). The study, which was presented at a Washington think tank, examines several scenarios in which India launches a limited conflict against Pakistan. Such scenarios include surgical strikes against Pakistani troops and militant camps along the Line of Control that divides the disputed Kashmir region, as well as the crossing of the line by Indian troops, according to UPI. If India were to cross the Line of Control, “Pakistan is not going to sit quiet. It will be an act of war which will not remain limited, and it can escalate to a full-scale war and ultimately it can lead to a nuclear conflict if Pakistan's national interests are threatened,” the Pakistani official said. The report also notes India’s “cold start” strategy, for which eight to 10 combat groups are being prepared, UPI reported. Each group would have as many as 4,000 troops and would be expected to achieve its military objective within 72 hours, before Pakistan could react or call for international aid. Pakistan would not view such an attack as an act of limited war, the defense official said. “For us it will be a full-scale war, and Pakistan will respond with full resources, and if we fail to contain the Indians, the nuclear factor will definitely come in,” the official said (Anwar Iqbal, United Press International/Washington Times, Jan. 10).
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