Peace is our priority but will respond more strongly if provoked: DG ISPR

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has warned that any future aggression against the country would be met with a “more severe” response, while reiterating that it remains committed to peace.

“We are peace-loving and give priority to peace. It is our first choice. But if you make this mistake again, our response will be even more intense," he said on Saturday while addressing a special session attended by over 2,500 students from various universities of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the ISPR said in a statement.

The event, held in a festive atmosphere marked by nationalist slogans and songs, drew loud chants of “Long live the Pakistan Army” and “Kashmir will become Pakistan.” Students waved national flags and voiced support for the military.

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Chaudhry said Pakistan’s armed forces had previously responded decisively to Indian air raids, including retaliatory strikes on 26 targets. He referenced the death of a young boy in Muzaffarabad, saying the brigade headquarters responsible for the attack was “destroyed.”

“Our aircraft targeted only military infrastructure,” he said. “We did not strike any civilian population, infrastructure, or place of worship because we believe in peace.”

The army spokesperson also accused India of being behind various militant activities in Pakistan, including unrest in Balochistan and attacks by extremist groups. “Behind every terrorist act in Pakistan, whether in Balochistan or elsewhere, is India’s hand,” he said.

Addressing Afghan authorities, he urged them not to allow militants to use Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan. “Do not become proxies of India,” he said, adding that the problem lies with certain Afghan elites allegedly funded by New Delhi.

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DG ISPR also condemned hardline groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), accusing them of distorting Islamic teachings and seeking support from India. “You ask for help from those who violate the dignity of Kashmiri women,” he said.

Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing stance on the Kashmir dispute, he told the audience: “The time has come again — Kashmir will become Pakistan.”

The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame.

In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies.

Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

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In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted Pakistani airbases with missile strikes.

In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.

US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.