RAWALPINDI:
Amid a flurry of provocative statements from India following the May 9 setback, Pakistan Army’s top commanders vowed Wednesday to counter any future aggression from India “with a swift and decisive response, shattering any perceived notion of India’s relative safety accruing from geography”.
“Any imaginary ‘new normal’ will be met with a new normal of swift retributive response,” the military leadership said, according to communiqué issued after the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in the chair.
“The forum expressed grave concerns over the recent irresponsible and unwarranted provocative statements by Indian civil and military leadership. Such rhetoric conforms to the well-known Indian propensity of whipping up war hysteria for political benefits,” reads the statement issued by the ISPR. “The participants agreed that unwarranted warmongering is likely to lead to heightened 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-sponsored terrorism” if it wished to retain its place on the map. He added that Indian forces would “not show any restraint this time,” hinting at the possibility of another military misadventure. The Indian air force chief and some political leaders also made similar incendiary statements.
Wednesday’s communiqué marked the second warning from Pakistan’s military to India to cease and desist from any military misadventure. In an earlier statement, the ISPR had warned that any future conflict with India could result in “cataclysmic devastation,” as the Pakistan Army would “resolutely respond, without any qualms or restraint.”
“Those seeking to establish a new normal must know that Pakistan has established a new normal of response – one that will be swift, decisive, and destructive,” the military’s media wing stated.
There has been a sharp uptick in terrorist violence in Pakistan, which, officials say, is being fueled by India’s spy agency under the “Doval Doctrine” – a sub-conventional warfare strategy that employs proxy militias, digital propaganda, and economic sabotage to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty.
For this fact, 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.
In Wednesday’s conference, the corps commanders expressed resolve to pursue comprehensive counterterrorism operations across all domains to continue to dismantle the networks of Indian-sponsored terror proxies like Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan. “The forum reaffirms that the armed forces remain ready to thwart inimical designs of Pakistan’s adversaries across all domains,” the ISPR stated.
It further stated that “the existing nexus between terror and crime with vested political patronage which is gravely hurting the interests of state and security of its people, will not be allowed to continue anymore, come what may.”
The forum acknowledged the significance of Pakistan’s recent high-level diplomatic engagements and reaffirmed the commitment to global and regional peace.
The participants also welcomed the landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aimed at strengthening strategic relations and enhancing multi-domain cooperation for a joint response to any external aggression, according to the ISPR. “This agreement underscores shared values, mutual respect, and a joint vision for peace and security in the Middle Eastern and South Asian 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 an early ceasefire and delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The forum reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Palestine issue, voicing support for the two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders and Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
The field marshal commended the spirit, resolve and determination of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the war against foreign-sponsored terror proxies and during extensive relief and rescue operations in the aftermath of recent floods, in conjunction with civil administration and other law enforcement agencies.
In his closing remarks, the army chief, directed the commanders to ensure the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, physical fitness, innovation and responsiveness. He expressed full confidence in the operational preparedness of Pakistan Army to counter threats across the entire spectrum, from conventional and sub-conventional, to hybrid and asymmetric threats.
Earlier, the forum offered Fateha for the martyrs of recent terrorist attacks orchestrated by Indian terror proxies.
