'Any aggression to be met with swift, befitting response,' CDF says in visit to Kashmir frontlines

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir said on Thursday that the country’s armed forces remained fully prepared to counter both conventional and hybrid threats in an evolving security environment, warning that any act of aggression would be met with a swift and befitting response during a visit to the frontlines in Kashmir.

The remarks and visit came as the country observes Kashmir Solidarity Day to express support for the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their struggle for the right to self-determination. The day draws the attention of the international community to the Indian atrocities in IIOJK. To mark the occasion, solidarity walks, seminars and exhibitions are being organised across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

In a statement, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said CDF Munir visited a forward post in AJK, where he interacted with troops deployed on the frontlines.

"He reiterated that any act of aggression would be instantaneously met with a swift and befitting response. He underscored that the armed forces remain fully prepared to counter both conventional and hybrid threats in an evolving security environment," the ISPR said.

The field marshal also visited Muzaffarabad, where he paid homage to the martyrs of the Kashmir freedom struggle by laying a wreath at the Jammu and Kashmir Martyrs Monument and offering tributes to them, acknowledging their legacy of valour and sacrifice.

“Interacting with the notables and veterans, the CDF reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support for the people of IIOJK,” the ISPR statement said.

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“He noted that Indian atrocities, unabated violations of human rights, and Hindutva-driven excesses have failed to suppress the legitimate struggle and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” it added.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on the dispute, CDF Munir said Kashmir would “soon witness the dawn of freedom, in accordance with the will and destiny of the people of Kashmir”.

He further stressed that Pakistan would continue to raise the Kashmir issue at all relevant international forums “until a just resolution of the dispute is achieved in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions”.

The ISPR said the CDF praised the "professionalism, morale and combat readiness" of officers and soldiers deployed in AJK despite challenging operational conditions.

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“CDF emphasised the imperative of maintaining peak operational preparedness, vigilance, and seamless synergy across all domains to effectively deter and decisively respond to any hostile provocation,” the statement said.

Earlier, upon arrival in Muzaffarabad, Munir was received by the Commander Rawalpindi Corps.

A day earlier, during a visit to Quetta in the aftermath of recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, the CDF stated that no one can rationalise violence and terrorism under any pretext.

The remarks came after a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations in Balochistan over the weekend. CDF Munir had received a comprehensive operational briefing on the prevailing security environment and ongoing internal security operations.

"CDF remarked that no terrorist and its facilitator will be spared and all will be dealt strictly as per law and that no one can rationalise violence and terrorism on any pretext," the ISPR said.

It added that the briefing covered terrorist attacks orchestrated by "India-backed internationally-designated terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan and the prompt aggressive response of security forces which failed their ulterior motive of compromising peace, stability, and development in Balochistan".