The Pakistan military cautioned on Saturday that any forthcoming conflict with India could lead to “cataclysmic devastation” and the country will “decisively respond, without any qualms or restraint”.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued the statement following provocative comments from senior Indian civil and military leaders, asserting that Pakistan would respond decisively if necessary. In response to highly provocative statements made by India’s defence minister as well as the chiefs of its army and air force, Pakistan has cautioned that any future conflict could result in catastrophic devastation. The military warned that if a new round of hostilities is initiated, Pakistan will not hold back and will respond firmly, without hesitation or restraint.
Indian news outlet NDTV reported a day earlier that Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi issued a warning to Pakistan, stating that it must cease state sponsored terrorism if it wishes to maintain its existence on the map. According to the report, General Dwivedi asserted that Indian forces would “not exercise any restraint this time,” suggesting the possibility of another military operation.
The same day, Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh also claimed, without evidence, that his country “downed five Pakistani fighter jets of the F-16 and JF-17 class” during the intense fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May.
Earlier this week, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave a speech, excerpts of which were shared on his X account, stating: “Our soldiers are equipped with both advanced weapons and strong morale. No challenge can withstand us. Whether it is terrorism or any other issue, we have the capability to confront and overcome them all.”
In a statement issued today, the ISPR warned that it would “destroy the notion of geographic immunity” by striking the most distant parts of Indian territory. Responding to talk of “erasing Pakistan from the map,” it said India should understand that any attempt would be met with reciprocal annihilation. The statement added that those pushing for a “new normal” should be aware that Pakistan has itself adopted a new normal of response, one that will be swift, decisive, and destructive.
The military’s media wing cautioned that the armed forces and the nation possess the “capability and resolve to take the fight to every nook and corner of the enemy’s territory” in response to what it described as unjustified threats and thoughtless aggression. The ISPR added that it had noted with “grave concern” the “delusional, provocative and jingoistic statements coming from the highest levels of the Indian security establishment.”
It further added that such “irresponsible statements” showed a “renewed attempt at fabricating arbitrary pretexts for aggression”, cautioning that “serious consequences for peace and stability” in South Asia might come to such a vision. “For years, India has exploited the victim narrative to portray Pakistan negatively, all the while fueling violence and sponsoring terrorism both in South Asia and beyond.”
The military’s media wing further stated that this narrative has been thoroughly discredited, and “the world now identifies India as the actual source of cross-border terrorism and the epicenter of regional instability.”
Earlier this year, the two nuclear-armed nations came to the brink of war due to Indian aggression against Pakistan. However, India appears to have overlooked the destruction of its fighter jets and the retaliatory power of Pakistan’s long-range weapons. Displaying a collective forgetfulness, India now seems eager for another round of confrontation.
The conflict of May, between the old foes was one of the worst in decades, which was sparked by an attack on Hindu tourists in occupied Kashmir. New Delhi claimed, that Pakistan was behind the attack without evidence. However, Pakistan denied such accusations of involvement in the incident. The Foreign Ministry also challenged the credibility of India’s version of events, describing it as “full of distortions and fabrications.”
During the four-day conflict, both sides employed fighter jets, missiles, artillery, and drones, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people before a ceasefire was reached. In the immediate aftermath, Pakistan claimed it had shot down six Indian fighter jets, including the French made Rafale. While New Delhi admitted to having suffered “some losses,” it rejected Pakistan’s claim of losing six aircraft.
In August, Pakistan established a new branch within its military, the Army Rocket Force Command, tasked with developing a long-range conventional strike capability aimed at enhancing the army’s strategic advantage over long-standing rival India.
The timing of this announcement was notable, occurring nearly three months after the four-day conflict. Although the Pakistan Air Force’s early gains helped shift the momentum in Pakistan’s favour, the operational insights gained during the clashes highlighted the need for this new combat arm within the army.
The newly formed command is responsible for deploying conventional missile systems including ballistic, cruise, and potentially even hypersonic missiles intended to strike targets deep within enemy territory. The objective is to deliver powerful, far-reaching attacks without resorting to nuclear weapons.
