Pakistan Army warns India of 'sure, decisive' response to any act of war

Express Tribune

02-05-2025

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir chairs Special Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC) meeting at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on May 2, 2025. Photo: ISPR
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The Pakistan Army has warned of a 'sure and decisive' response to any Indian attempt to impose war, following what it called provocative actions by New Delhi in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam attack, the military's media wing reported.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a Special Corps Commanders' Conference (CCC) was chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The conference comes after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 tourists dead. India has blamed Pakistan for the incident without presenting evidence, prompting Islamabad to categorically deny involvement and offer to participate in a 'credible and transparent investigation.'
India responded with sweeping measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, revoking visas for Pakistani nationals, and closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing. In retaliation, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelled visas for Indian citizens, with the exception of Sikh pilgrims, and shut the border crossing from its side.
During the military leadership's special session, the forum conducted a detailed review of the prevailing geo-strategic environment, with a focus on the Pakistan-India standoff and broader regional security concerns.
The Pakistan Army reaffirmed its 'unflinching resolve to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any aggression or misadventure.'
COAS Munir commended the 'unwavering professionalism, steadfast morale, and operational preparedness' of the armed forces, emphasising unity with the people of Pakistan to 'defend the homeland at all costs.' He stressed the importance of 'heightened vigilance and proactive readiness across all fronts.'
The forum voiced 'grave concern over the intensification of Indian atrocities in IIOJK,' particularly after the Pahalgam incident, and condemned the 'continued targeting of innocent civilians along the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian occupation forces.'
"It was reiterated that such inhumane and unprovoked acts serve only to escalate regional tensions and will be met with a resolute and proportionate response," the statement said.
The commanders noted India's 'consistent pattern of exploitation of crises to achieve political and military objectives,' accusing it of following 'a predictable template, whereby internal governance failures are externalised.'
The ISPR further stated: 'These incidents have often coincided with unilateral moves by India to alter the status quo, as seen in 2019 when India similarly exploited the Pulwama incident to unilaterally alter the status quo of IIOJK, through revocation of Article 370.'
Referring to the current episode, the military said the Pahalgam attack 'appears to be part of a deliberate strategy to divert Pakistan's focus away from the western front, as well as ongoing national efforts for economic revival; the two fronts where Pakistan is decisively and sustainably gaining grounds.'
"Such diversionary tactics aimed at providing operational breathing space to Indian terror proxies will never succeed," the forum declared.
The army also expressed concern that India is attempting to weaponise water by exploiting the Pahalgam incident to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty. 'This constitutes a dangerous attempt to weaponise water, threatening the livelihood and sustenance of over 240 million Pakistanis and escalating strategic instability in South Asia," it warned.
In addition, the forum voiced 'deep alarm over credible evidence of direct Indian military and intelligence involvement in orchestrating terrorist activities inside Pakistan,' describing them as 'state-sponsored actions' and 'a blatant violation of international norms which are universally unacceptable.'
Reaffirming Pakistan's resolve, the military said, 'Deliberate destabilisation efforts by the Indian government will be confronted and defeated with resolve and clarity.'
The conference concluded with COAS Munir expressing 'complete confidence in the operational readiness, deterrence posture, and morale of all formations and strategic forces to defend the nation across the entire threat spectrum.'