India licking its wounds, western enemies next: Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday declared that the recent military operation along Pakistan's eastern border represents a historic milestone, unmatched in the country's 78-year history and credited it with restoring national unity and confidence.

He was addressing a group of students and teachers, who had come to congratulate him at his residence on the success of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, a coordinated response by Pakistan's military forces to hostilities by India.

"Our eternal and perpetual enemy is sitting just miles away across the eastern border, licking its wounds," he said. "God willing, our enemies on the western front will soon suffer the same fate."

Khawaja Asif said there was no need to respond to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi anymore. "What is being said about him across India today, we ourselves could not have said it better," he added, referring to growing internal discontent within India.

He credited the operation with uniting the country at a time when visible fissures had appeared in the national fabric. "Fifteen or twenty days ago, we saw cracks in our national unity. Today, by the grace of God, the nation is united, and that unity now bears the mark of our armed forces' bravery. I salute them," he said.

The minister extended his congratulations to the top military leadership, including Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, Naval Chief Naveed Ashraf and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Sahir Shamshad, for their courageous and faith-driven leadership during the operation.

"I have witnessed conflicts from very close quarters — from the 1965 war to today — but I have never seen such an emotionally charged and spiritually driven leadership," he said. "It was your leadership that instilled strength in our soldiers. I am a direct witness to your resolve and bravery."

Asif also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the armed forces at every moment of the crisis.

"He led the nation, conveyed to the military that the civilian government fully supports them, and assured them that it stands beside them with the strength of 250 million people," the minister said.

"No matter how far we have to go to defend the homeland, we are united under one banner."

He warned that nations which forget their history are themselves forgotten by history.