Islamabad: Pakistan, once again, fell back on religious rhetoric to counter India’s warning against its involvement in cross-border terrorism, with defence minister Khawaja Asif saying: “Pakistan is a state built in the name of Allah, our defenders are soldiers of Allah.”
“This time, India, Inshallah, will be buried under the wreckage of its planes. Allahu Akbar,” Asif posted on X.
He accused the Indian government of stoking tensions along the border as a distraction from domestic political challenges. “The statements by Indian military and political leaders are a failed attempt to restore their lost credibility,” he said.
“After such a decisive defeat with a score of 0-6, if they try again, the score god willing will be much better than before. … This time India will be buried under the wreckage of its own planes,” Asif wrote.
On Friday, Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi has issued a stern warning, saying that if Pakistan persisted with supporting terrorism, India will show no restraint in Operation Sindoor 2.0 and wipe the country off the face of the earth.
During Operation Sindoor, India had struck nine terror hubs inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, killing at least 100 terrorists. After Pakistan retaliated by targetting Indian military and civilian infrastructure, India carried out precision strikes against several Pakistan Air Force bases and air defence systems, rendering them unusable.
India announced cessation of operations after Pakistan made an appeal on May 10. However, as is Pakistan’s wont, it began making tall claims of downing six Indian fighter jets, soon after the cessation of operations. These claims were not backed by evidence as India’s were.
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh reiterated on Friday that at least 5-6 Pakistani aircraft were destroyed during the four-day conflict. Defence minister Rajnath Singh had also issued a stern warning, asserting that India “can cross any border whenever necessary” to protect itself.
On Saturday, the Pakistan Army responded, calling the Indian statements “delusional, provocative, and jingoistic.”
“In the face of highly provocative statements of the Indian Defence Minister and its Army and Air Chiefs, we caution that a future conflict might lead to cataclysmic devastation. In case a fresh round of hostilities is triggered, Pakistan shall not hold back. We shall resolutely respond, without any qualms or restraint,” the Pakistan Army said.
