ISLAMABAD – Pakistan had prior intelligence about joint India-Israel planto attack Pakistan, sources in the government have revealed.

According to the government sources, India had been repeatedly warned oftaking such steps at every forum and Pakistan continued its efforts forpeace at every level and also warned of retaliation in case of any attack.

Sources further said that Islamabad is apprising the internationalcommunity of India-Pakistan tensions.

“There was no direct contact between Indian and Pakistani government butthe New Delhi had been informed Pakistan’s armed forces would retaliate anyattack,” sources said.

“India and Israel had planned to target Karachi and Bahawalpur in a jointattack, however, Pakistan had prior intelligence reports about the attack.”

The government sources further said that strategy was being devised tode-weaponise the anti-state elements. Pakistan’s soil wouldn’t be allowedto use to launch attack against any other country and the National ActionPlan (NAP) would be implemented in letter and spirit.

On February 26, Indian warplanes itruded in Pakistani airspace insideBalakot and New Delhi claimed of killing of a “large number” of militants,including commanders, and had avoided civilian casualties on what New Delhialleged were militant camps. Islamabad denied any such camps existed. OnWednesday, Pakistan retaliated with its own aerial mission.

ISPR Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said the strikes caused nocasualties. He tweeted that Pakistani jets were scrambled and forced theIndian planes to make a “hasty withdrawal”, dropping their payload in anopen area.