ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: In response to the Indian army chief’s statement that his forces should be ready for a short war, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan is fully prepared to give a befitting response if India imposed short or prolonged war.
“Pakistan believes in peace but knows how to respond to any aggression,” Asif said in an interview with Radio Pakistan.
The minister said that we want peace but will inflict heavy losses on India if war hysteria overcame its leadership.
On Tuesday, speaking at a seminar on the 1965 Indo-Pak war in New Delhi, the Indian Chief of Army Staff Dalbir Singh said that the military needs to be ready for short wars as the borders are live with frequent ceasefire violations and infiltration bids by Pakistan.
“We are acutely aware that the swift short nature of future wars is likely to offer limited warning time. This calls for maintaining very high level of operational preparedness at all times, it’s something that has now become important in our strategy,” Singh said according to the New Delhi-based Asian News International (ANI).
Khawaja Asif pointed out that Pakistan Armed Forces foiled designs of Indian forces in 1965 and now they are more experienced and professional.
“Our forces are engaged in the war against terror for several years and they know how to respond to any challenge,” Asif said.
The defence minister said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif believes in peace but when it comes to survival of the country we would not hesitate in offering any sacrifice.
