Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday warned that India may be planning a “false-flag operation” to blame Pakistan and cautioned New Delhi that any such move would be met with a strong and decisive response.
Speaking to the media in Sialkot, Asif said: “They plan some kind of false-flag operation through their own men or through the Pakistanis in their detention by laying down some bodies somewhere and saying they were terrorists and had done so and so.”
He added: “The kind of insult they faced around a year ago […] the entire world, in fact, their own public, taunts them that they are five times larger than Pakistan in every aspect — population, resources, military, airforce.”
Recalling last year’s conflict with India, Asif asserted: “The Indian leadership would keep facing such backlash till the end of the world,” referencing the Pakistan Air Force’s performance. He further warned: “If they try to enact such a drama this time, then God-willingly, we will take them to Kolkata.”
On Pakistan’s diplomatic role, the minister stated: “Pakistan is playing an important role in the ongoing US-Iran negotiations,” expressing hope that the efforts would succeed in promoting “regional stability” and resolving disputes.
The remarks follow warnings from security sources that India might exploit Pakistani citizens who inadvertently crossed the border as part of a staged incident.
Asif also addressed his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, saying: “Let me remind Rajnath Singh that the illusion of space for war between two nuclear states is inconceivable and has drastic consequences.” He noted that Singh’s warnings against any attempted “misadventure” amid the Middle East conflict reflected strategic anxiety.
On the anniversary of the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last year, Asif said: “Repeated rhetoric reflects not strength, but visible strategic anxiety as the anniversary of the staged false-flag operation in Pahalgam approaches — an episode that failed to withstand international scrutiny and exposed New Delhi’s reliance on manufactured crises.”
He added: “Such threat-mongering is not new; it is part of a predictable pattern — externalising internal fragility and attempting to provoke escalation under the guise of unsubstantiated allegations for vested political interests.”
Referring to the Pahalgam attack and the ensuing military escalation, Asif explained: “Marka-i-Haq remains fresh in our minds. The next time our response will be even more forceful and decisive.”
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, he said: “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.”