Rawalpindi (TDI): Top military brass on Friday delivered a clear and loud message to India, promising “decisive” response from Pakistan if any attempt was made by the neighboring nation to impose a war.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir convened a special Corps Commanders meeting at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi against the backdrop of escalating tensions with India.
India threatened to carry out cross-border attacks after blaming Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22 attack that killed 26 tourists.
Islamabad vehemently denied its role and offered to participate in any neutral, transparent and credible probe. China and major other nations supported Pakistan’s proposal while US, contrary to Indian expectations, adopted a more balanced approach.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday spoke to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister S J Shankar, urging restraint.
A statement issued by the military’s media wing said the top brass reviewed the prevailing geo-strategic environment, with a special emphasis on the current Pakistan-India tensions and the broader regional security calculus.
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The forum reaffirmed the steadfast commitment of the armed forces to uphold Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression or misadventure.
The Army Chief commended the firm professionalism, unfaltering morale and operational readiness of the armed forces, standing in unity with the people of Pakistan to safeguard the homeland at all costs. He highlighted the critical significance of increased vigilance and proactive preparedness across all fronts.
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The forum expressed serious concern over the intensification of Indian atrocities in the occupied valley, especially in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident, as well as the continued targeting of innocent civilians along the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian troops.
It reiterated that such inhumane and unprovoked actions serve only to escalate the stand-off and will be met with a decisive and proportionate response.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
