'Nuclear bluff' assertion speaks of Indian army chief's immaturity, says ISPR

The only thing stopping them is our credible nuclear deterrence, says Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor on Saturday responded to the Indian army chief's 'nuclear bluff' assertion by warning that India will be given a befitting response if they engage in any misadventure.

He added that statements like this are unbecoming from a person of a responsible stature.

Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat on January 12 had said that the force was ready to call Pakistan's 'nuclear bluff' and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government.



"We will call the [nuclear] bluff of Pakistan. If we will have to really confront, and a task is given to us, we are not going to say we cannot cross the border because they have nuclear weapons. We will have to call their nuclear bluff," Gen Rawat said during a press conference.

The Pakistani military spokesperson said, "We believe COAS is a very responsible appointment and a four-star is a rank with age-long experience and maturity".

Asked what if India undertakes any misadventure against Pakistan, he said, "Well, it is up to them and if they wish to test our resolve they may try and see it for themselves".

The DG ISPR added that Pakistan has a credible nuclear capability which is only meant for this threat in particular.

"But we believe it’s a weapon of deterrence not a choice," he added.

When asked about New Delhi's role in destabilising Pakistan via state-sponsored terrorism, he said that if India could overpower Pakistan through conventional engagement post-overt nuclearisation, it could have done that by now.

"The only thing stopping them is our credible nuclear deterrence as there is no space for war between the two nuclear states," he said.

"That’s why they are targeting us through this sub-conventional threat and state-sponsored terrorism," he said, adding, "But they have failed on this account as well".