Pakistan's defence minister said on Monday that a military incursion by neighbouring India was imminent in the aftermath of a deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir last week, as tensions rise between the two nuclear-armed nations.

Pakistan’s defence minister said on Monday that a military incursion by neighbouring India was imminent in the aftermath of a deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir last week, as tensions rise between the two nucleararmed nations.

Asif said Pakistan was on high alert and that it would only use its arsenal of nuclear weapons if "there is a direct threat to our existence".

It was the deadliest attack on civilians in two decades in the disputed territory. Both India and Pakistan claim the Kashmir region and have fought two wars over it. Troops from b

In the days since, tensions have risen dangerously between India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir.

A day after the U.N. appealed for restraint following Tuesday's deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, India reported an exchange of fire across the de facto border in the disputed region.