Will respond at time of our choosing: Pak

PAK PM IMRAN KHAN, WHO CHAIRED A SPECIAL MEETING ON SECURITY, ASKED HIS ARMED FORCES AND CITIZENS TO REMAIN PREPARED FOR ‘ALL EVENTUALITIES’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s leadership on Tuesday described the Indian strike on Balakot as “uncalled-for aggression” and warned the country will respond at “a time and place of its choosing”, with Islamabad rejecting New Delhi’s contention that the operation caused heavy casualties.

Soon after India confirmed the strike, PM Imran Khan chaired a special meeting of the country’s National Security Committee to assess the situation. Khan also called a meeting on February 27 of the National Command Authority, the body responsible for command and control of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, an indication the government is considering the “full -spectrum of response”, officials said.

The security committee “concluded that India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing”, an official statement said without giving details. Khan directed “elements of national power, including the armed forces and the people of Pakistan, to remain prepared for all eventualities”, the statement added.

He also decided to engage the global leadership to “expose irresponsible Indian policy”. The committee “strongly rejected [the] Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties”, and said the Indian government had “resorted to a self-serving, reckless and fictitious claim” with an eye on upcoming elections.