Marytrs are beyond caste, creed or religion: DG ISPR

Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor says more civilians slain in war on terror than army personnel

Martyrs are beyond any caste, creed or religion, said military spokesperson Major-General Asif Ghafoor on the eve of Defence Day.

"Great nations always remember their martyrs...I request all Pakistanis reach out to families sacrificed their lives for the motherland," the DG ISPR said while talking to a private news channel on Thursday.

"It is not only the army that has sacrificed in the war on terror... more civilians have been killed than army personnel," he said, paying tribute to the country's martyrs.

Ghafoor said the Kashmir issue had become an international issue following Indian government's atrocities in the occupied valley.

"Eighty-one thousand Pakistanis have lost their lives from terrorism," the army spokesperson said.

He reiterated that army was ready for war if need be with India, adding that,"the government is trying to counter New Delhi's Kashmir move."

Pakistan, the DG ISPR added, stood with the people of IOK in support for their right to self-determination.

"If provoked...we are ready to give a stronger response than we gave on February 27," the head of the military's media wing said, referring to the Indian aircraft the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down when they entered Pakistani territory.

Maj-Gen Ghafoor lauded the role played by police in the war against terrorism.