Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned on Thursday (April 2, 2026) that his country’s response to any attack would be “swift, calibrated, and decisive”.
Mr. Asif took to X to respond to remarks by his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh, who earlier said that any “misadventure” from India’s neighbour in the prevailing situation would invite an “unprecedented and decisive” action.
Speaking at an event in poll-bound Kerala, Mr. Singh on Thursday (April 2) said that following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India had destroyed the terrorist hideouts and infrastructure in Pakistan. He contended that during Operation Sindoor, Indian forces brought Pakistan to its knees within 22 minutes.
“Repeated rhetoric reflects not strength, but visible strategic anxiety as the anniversary of the Pahalgam” attack approaches, Mr. Asif said.
Mr. Asif further said: “Such threat-mongering is not new; it is part of a predictable pattern – externalising internal fragility, and attempting to provoke escalation under the garb of unsubstantiated allegations for vested political interests.”
Recalling the four-day conflict in May, the Pakistani Minister said that history was a stark reminder that miscalculation has consequences.
“The next time our response will be even more forceful and decisive. 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,” he said.
The Pahalgam attack that took place on April 22 last year resulted in a brief conflict between the two countries.
Published – April 03, 2026 08:29 am IST
