RAWALPINDI:
Amid a flurry of provocative statements from India following the May 9 setback, Pakistan’s top military commanders pledged Wednesday to counter any future aggression by India “with a swift and decisive response, shattering any notion of India’s relative security arising from geography.”
“Any imaginary ‘new normal’ will be met with a new normal of rapid retributive response,” the military leadership said, according to a statement issued after the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) under the chairmanship of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
“The forum expressed serious concerns over the recent irresponsible and unwarranted provocative statements by Indian civilian and military leaders. Such rhetoric is in line with the well-known Indian propensity to whip up war hysteria for political gains,” read the statement issued by the ISPR. “Participants agreed that unwarranted warmongering is likely to lead to increased tensions and will endanger regional peace and security.”
Earlier this week, Indian army chief General Upendra Dwivedi repeated familiar rhetoric, warning Pakistan to end so-called “state terrorism” if it wanted to maintain its place on the map. He added that Indian forces would “show no restraint this time”, hinting at the possibility of another military misadventure. The Indian Air Force chief and some political leaders have also made similar inflammatory statements.
Wednesday’s statement is the Pakistani army’s second warning to India to stop any military misadventure. In an earlier statement, the ISPR had warned that any future conflict with India could result in “cataclysmic devastation” as the Pakistani military would “respond resolutely, without any qualms or restraint”.
“Those who seek to establish a new normal should know that Pakistan has established a new normal of response – a new normal that will be swift, decisive and destructive,” the military’s media wing said.
There has been a sharp increase in terrorist violence in Pakistan, which officials say is fueled by India’s spy agency under the “Doval Doctrine” – a sub-conventional warfare strategy that employs mandated militias, digital propaganda and economic sabotage to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty.
It is for this reason that Pakistan has officially designated the terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, and those involved in attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as Fitna al-Khawarij.
During Wednesday’s conference, the corps commanders expressed their determination to pursue comprehensive counter-terrorism operations in all domains to continue dismantling Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies networks like Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan. “The forum reaffirms that the armed forces remain ready to thwart the hostile designs of Pakistan’s adversaries in all domains,” the ISPR said.
He further declared that “the existing nexus between terror and criminality with direct political patronage, which seriously undermines the interests of the state and the security of its population, will no longer be allowed to continue, whatever happens.”
The forum recognized the importance of Pakistan’s recent high-level diplomatic engagements and reaffirmed its commitment to global and regional peace.
The participants also welcomed the historic Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening strategic relations and enhancing multi-domain cooperation for joint response to any external aggression, according to the ISPR. “This agreement highlights shared values, mutual respect and a common vision for peace and security in the Middle East and South Asia regions.”
The Corps Commander reiterated Pakistan’s uncompromising support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination as enshrined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
They also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and hoped for a rapid ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The forum reiterated Pakistan’s principled position on the Palestinian issue, expressing support for the two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state, based on the pre-1967 borders and Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
The Marshal lauded the spirit, determination and resolve of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the war against foreign-sponsored terrorists and in the extensive relief and rescue operations following the recent floods, in collaboration with the civil administration and other law enforcement agencies.
In his closing remarks, the Army Chief asked commanders to ensure the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, physical fitness, innovation and responsiveness. He expressed full confidence in the operational preparedness of the Pakistan Army to counter threats across the spectrum, from conventional and sub-conventional to hybrid and asymmetric threats.
Earlier, the forum had proposed Fateha for the martyrs of the recent terror attacks orchestrated by Indian terror proxies.
