Khawaja Asif warns India may attempt another misadventure
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned of another possible Indian misadventure, saying Pakistan would respond forcefully if provoked.
Speaking with Geo News on Wednesday, Asif said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was politically cornered and could take impulsive action due to mounting pressure and declining political capital.
'If Modi makes a reckless move out of desperation, Pakistan will respond decisively – and there will be global consequences,' Asif said.
The defence minister stated that in the event of further escalation, even India's allies may refrain from backing Modi's actions.
'There was no external pressure on Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire,' he added. 'The United States and other friendly countries were on board and supported the idea, which is why we agreed.'
Read more: Trump to work with Pakistan, India to resolve Kashmir dispute
Asif said Pakistan exercised restraint for four days, hoping India would show reason. 'Our victory is multidimensional. This was the first conflict in which cyber warfare played a key role. India's digital infrastructure was paralysed during the cyber operations,' he said.
He further stated that international perceptions of Pakistan have changed. 'Those who did not take us seriously now look at us with respect,' he maintained, saying Pakistan downed five Indian aircraft and one UAV during the recent conflict with India.
On Kashmir issue, the defence minister remarked that India had shown some willingness to engage. 'For the first time, India seems ready to discuss the Kashmir issue – that in itself is a diplomatic success for Pakistan,' he said.
Read more: Pakistan observes 'Youm-e-Tashakur' to celebrate 'Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos' success
Asif's statement comes after a full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced on May 10, following days of heightened military exchanges that brought the two nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war.
The announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
India-Pakistan ceasefire
Tensions flared following an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 civilians dead.
India blamed Pakistan-based elements without presenting any evidence, Islamabad rejected the allegations. In response, India closed the Wagah border, revoked visas, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—moves Pakistan called an 'act of war.'
The conflict intensified with India's missile attracks and drone incursions as it lauched its Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan's military launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos in retaliation, and announced it had downed five Indian jets—including Rafales—and intercepted 77 Israeli-made Harop drones.
Following diplomatic intervention led by Washington, both sides agreed to halt military activity across land, air, and sea. However, hours after the truce, fresh skirmishes were reported along both sides of the Line of Control.
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