Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a fresh warning to India, saying any future confrontation would be met with a response that is “swift, calibrated, and decisive”. Khawaja Asif’s remarks come days before the first anniversary of the horrific 2025 Pahalgam attack and India’s Operation Sindoor.
The latest remarks came in response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s comment, who warned Pakistan against attempting any “misadventure” under the shadow of the war in Iran. “Our neighbour, given the current situation, could attempt some kind of misadventure. If that happens, India’s response will be unprecedented and decisive,” the defence minister said, underscoring that Operation Sindoor was not over yet.
Speaking at an event in Kerala, Rajnath Singh reminded Islamabad how the Indian Army brought it to its knees in just 22 minutes during Operation Sindoor. The operation was launched days after Lashkar terrorists killed 25 tourists in Pahalgam on April 22.
KHAWAJA ASIF HITS BACK
Responding on X, Khawaja Asif criticised the tone of these statements, calling them part of a pattern. “Repeated rhetoric reflects not strength, but visible strategic anxiety as the anniversary of the Pahalgam” attack approaches, he said.
“Such threat-mongering is not new; it is part of a predictable pattern — externalising internal fragility, and attempting to provoke escalation under the garb of unsubstantiated allegations for vested political interests,” he said.
He warned that any future escalation would be met with a stronger response from Pakistan. “The next time our response will be even more forceful and decisive. Let there be no ambiguity: Pakistan remains committed to peace and regional stability, but its resolve to defend sovereignty is absolute, its preparedness complete, and its response will be swift, calibrated, and decisive,” he said as quoted by PTI.
While striking a combative tone, Asif said Pakistan remains committed to regional stability. “Pakistan remains committed to peace and regional stability, but its resolve to defend sovereignty is absolute, its preparedness complete,” he said.
The tensions escalated after Pahalgam attack, which led to a four-day military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India destroyed nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan and struck key military bases, some of which are still under repair. The hostilities ended after Pakistan sought a ceasefire on May 10 and both countries took a series of retaliatory steps, including diplomatic downgrades, suspension of agreements, and military action across the border.
With inputs from PTI
