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Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir said that Pakistan seeks regional peace but will not hesitate to defend itself
Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir | File Image
As the tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad flare up, Pakistan’s Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Monday said that his country will respond with “full military might” if its sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened.
The remarks came days after the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, prompting India to announce a series of punitive measures against Islamabad on all fronts.
Addressing the 15th National Workshop Balochistan at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, General Munir further said that Pakistan seeks regional peace but will not hesitate to defend itself at the time of military escalation, reported GEO TV.
“Pakistan seeks peace in the region and beyond; however, if Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are violated, Pakistan will respond with full force to preserve its national prestige and the well-being of its people,” General Munir said.
Notably, Pakistan had claimed that it had “credible intelligence” that India might respond to the Pahalgam attack with a possible military action against Pakistan.
The Pakistan-based Lashkar terror group had claimed the responsibility for Pahalgam attack, sparking outrage in India, with demands coming from all across for a strong retaliation.
Notably, in the days leading up to the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir urged citizens to educate their children about the “clear distinctions between Hindus and Muslims,” referencing the ideological foundation behind the creation of Pakistan under the two-nation theory in 1947.
“Our forefathers believed that we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religion is different. Our customs are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory,” said General Munir on April 16, adding that Kashmir was a “jugular vein”.
Reports suggest that this statement was interpreted as a possible signal to Pakistan-based terror networks, with the Pahalgam assault occurring less than a week after his remarks.
In the aftermath of the attack, India downgraded its diplomatic ties with Pakistan, in a series of measures taken against Islamabad, including the suspension of Indus Waters Treaty.
The government also gave the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Location :
Islamabad, Pakistan
- First Published:
