‘10 SURGICAL STRIKES AGAINST ONE’: PAKISTAN MILITARY THREATENS INDIA

: In the latest war of words between the two neighbours, Pakistan said on Saturday that if India launches another surgical strike inside its territory, the country “would face 10 surgical strikes in response”.

The Pakistan Army’s spokesperson, major general Asif Ghafoor, said “those who think of any misadventure against us should have no doubt in their minds on Pakistan’s capabilities.”

Ghafoor, the spokesperson of the Pakistani military’s Inter Services Public Relations, was speaking to Pakistani reporters based in London during a visit as part of a military delegation headed by Pakistan army chief General Asim Bajwa to the United Kingdom.

India’s home minister Rajnath Singh recently hinted that Indian soldiers had hit back strongly at Pakistan in retaliation to the killing of a BSF jawan at the international border.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the presence of terror infrastructure and state support to terrorists in the immediate neighbourhood are constantly testing India’s patience and New Delhi is exercising great restraint in dealing with it.

On Sunday, Ghafoor said the Kashmir issue had entered a “decisive phase”.

“Pakistan is extending only moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Indian Kashmir, whose ongoing struggle for freedom is indigenous,” he said.

Ghafoor also called upon the Pakistani media in the UK to counter “Indian propaganda” against Pakistan.

He told reporters that the army believes that democracy is the only way forward and as an institution, the Pakistan army has provided full support to democratic institutions.

He added that the Pakistan Army was the “custodian” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which would strengthen the country’s economy.

On the state of the media in the country, he said: “There is more good in Pakistan than bad, and the international media should also highlight positive things about Pakistan.”

He said Pakistan had rendered “huge sacrifices” in war against terrorism to make the region and world safer. Ghafoor said the army chief discussed professional matters during meetings with UK authorities.

Those who think of any misadventure against us should have no doubt in their minds on Pakistan’s capabilities. ASIF GHAFOOR, Pakistan Army’s spokesperson