Civil-military huddle reaffirms resolve to thwart any Indian misadventure

‘New Delhi may resort to false flag operations to deceive the Indians, international community’

ISLAMABAD: Amid heightened Indian aggression along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan’s civil and military leadership doubled down on their resolve to thwart any Indian misadventure in a specially-convened National Security Committee (NSC) meeting in Islamabad on Sunday.

The premier summoned the committee session to discuss matters related to national security in the wake of New Delhi’s use of cluster munitions in the Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The meeting attended by the ministers for defence, interior and foreign affairs along with senior military leaders including the three services chiefs, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee, and the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Other attendees include the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, federal minister for Kashmir affairs and PM Imran’s special assistant on information.

PM Imran demands UNSC action against India for using cluster munitions along LoC

The forum noted that the more India is exposed internally and internationally in its machinations, the more there are chances that it may resort to desperate and risky options including false flag operations.

“Participants were apprised on New Delhi’s deplorable suppression of populace in the Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) and its plans to use bogey of terrorism for political ends disregarding situation on ground,” read a communiqué issued after the meeting.

Moreover, the use of cluster munitions against civilians to provoke Pakistan as well as employing disinformation maneuvers to confuse the real intent such as changing the demographic structure and the internationally recognised disputed status of the IoK were also touched upon in the meeting.

The committee members also voiced their concern over India’s destabilising efforts in the war-torn valley. India has lost all moral authority in the occupied valley and it has resorted to committing atrocities against the Kashmiri people, it maintained.

The committee was of the view that the recent buildup of Indian forces and the brutal use of force is only adding fuel to the fire. It also strongly condemned New Delhi's strategy when Islamabad and the international community are focused on resolving the Afghan conflict.

“The recent Indian measures will increase the levels of violence and turn this area into a flashpoint and a destabilising factor in the midst of two strategically capable neighbouring countries.”

OIC voices concerns over use of cluster munitions by Indian forces

The statement further added that Pakistan remained ready to defend itself against any Indian misadventure or aggression and will continue to provide all out diplomatic, moral and political support to the brave people of the occupied Kashmir in their indigenous struggle to get justice and their right to self-determination in line with UNSC resolutions.

PM Imran Khan, in his remarks, said that Pakistan will always stand with Kashmiris and will not be deterred from its just stance based on UNSC resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people. He said that India is totally disregarding international obligations and her arrogance will only result in heightening the conflict dynamics in the region.

PM also invited attention of world leaders and international bodies towards ‘irresponsible, unilateral and irrational behaviour’ of the Indian leadership.

“India needs to ensure rights of the people including those living in occupied territories and also to abide by its own commitments to UNSC,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.