ISLAMABAD, (HAN) — Pakistan’s top military commander has issued a sharp warning to India, signaling that any misstep by its neighbor would provoke a strong and “unexpected” response.
General Casim Munir said that India’s recent rhetoric would never intimidate Pakistan, and that the country was prepared to respond decisively to any acts of aggression. “Pakistan will not be cowed by words alone. Any hostile move will be met firmly,” he stated.
This is the second warning from the Pakistani army chief since the four-day border conflict in May, which briefly escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Earlier, in a separate warning, General Munir threatened India over potential attempts to construct dams on the Indus River, saying that such actions could trigger strikes involving ten missiles.
Experts say these repeated warnings underscore the fragility of peace between India and Pakistan, which have a long history of disputes over borders, water rights, and territorial claims in the Kashmir region. The Indus River, a crucial water source for Pakistan, has been a longstanding point of contention, with Islamabad wary of New Delhi’s water management projects that could affect downstream flow.
Analysts also note that General Munir’s latest statements appear aimed at both domestic and international audiences. Domestically, they reinforce Pakistan’s image of a strong, vigilant military protecting national interests. Internationally, they serve as a reminder of the high stakes involved whenever tensions flare between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The warnings come amid a series of border skirmishes, cross-border artillery exchanges, and heightened troop deployments in sensitive areas along the India-Pakistan frontier. Observers say that repeated military rhetoric from both sides risks escalating minor incidents into larger confrontations if not carefully managed.
