Pakistan

Pakistan spurns India’s talk of ‘limited war’

Officials say Islamabad is capable of defending its sovereignty

Our Correspondent September 02, 2015

PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: Amid talk of a ‘limited war’ by the Indian army chief, Pakistan said on Tuesday that its armed forces are capable of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their country against any foreign aggression.

Tensions are running high between the two nuclear-armed hostile neighbours as their troops have frequently exchanged fire along the Line of Control and working boundary for the past few weeks. Both sides blame the other for provoking hostilities.

“[Because of] the frequent ceasefire violations and infiltration bids by our western neighbour, the borders remain live and active. New methods continue to be employed to create unrest in JK [Jammu and Kashmir]. We are acutely aware that the swift, short nature of future wars are likely to offer limited warning time - this calls for maintaining very high levels of operational preparedness at all times,” Indian army chief General Dalbir Singh said on Tuesday at an event in New Delhi.

Read: After three Indo-Pak wars, are LoC skirmishes preparing ground for another?

Pakistan has yet to give a formal reaction to Gen Singh’s warning. However, a senior foreign ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the Indian army chief’s warning as ‘mere rhetoric’ saying there was no possibility of a ‘limited war’ between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

The official made it clear that Pakistan was capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any foreign aggression, particularly from India. Last week Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also ruled out the possibility of a ‘limited war’ between Pakistan and India.

“There is no space for a limited war … Any attack on us will depend on Pakistan’s choice of response and timing,” Asif said during his visit to villages along the working boundary near Sialkot.

Read: India bid to halt Pakistan projects fails

Relations between Pakistan and India are at the lowest ebb as a result of current clashes between the two forces along the Line of Control and working boundary.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2015.

COMMENTS (40)

kashif khan | 8 years ago | Reply pakistan shall call the bluff, then we will see if indians challenge is mere rhetoric or reality.

NS | 8 years ago | Reply @Bewildered: The "stranded 1000 miles away from mainland shows the mentality that caused the majority province of the Land of the Pure to be lost. God bless this nation with some sense and courage to accept the truth, before it is too late.

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Shah | 8 years ago | Reply History repeats itself as india was always invaded from the west and ruled by ghaznavi ghauri abdali suri and mughals with small armies. Hence india should not think of any misadventure which can prove sucidal.

Umar Munir | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan doesn't need China's help to knock out India in a limited or a full-scale war. But, if China wants to throw a punch or two in the process, Pakistan wouldn't mind. Also, it is no fun without using bombs. Why does India fears Pakistan's nukes? Because India has a "No first use" policy unlike Pakistan. India's navy is quite good, but Pakistan's submarines are now armed with cruise missiles which act as mini nukes. Yes, Pakistan has miniscule and Pakistan can make nukes that can fit into a suitcase. Pakistan will not only harass India, but play with it and kill it just like a cat plays with the mouse before eating it. So don't talk about wars. There is no talking in wars. War is, or war is not. And no chance of limited wars. If you want to test your strength, go full scale.

shahid | 8 years ago | Reply @Prakash: Great, I love this comment made by you Prakash; It actually makes a lot of sense.. Bring back to reality, both sides. What matters is what people want; In time these two will learn to live like good neighbors. Hope it is soon, and without pain and suffering for both;

aam shehri | 8 years ago | Reply @Vectra I have read your story, "I think , I don't think so", what is this? you think that all will happen according to your wishes and sweet dreams. Wake up my dear neighbor its evening time now!!

SSSJ | 8 years ago | Reply I would like to know what this Indian fellow is smoking these days...its seems he is in some sort of stupor, Has he got even a clue who he is dealing with. We are battle hardened nation for the last 30 years, the soviets who were India's dream superpower came to our borders and were bitterly and utterly defeated to the extent soviet union collapsed as a superpower and only Russia remains. Similarly The second superpower with 42 allies turned up on our borders and have been utterly humiliated and have now run away along with all their allies, thirty years of warfare with two superpowers in ruins right at our borders even though we have paid a heavy price, India is hardly a threat, its just a poverty struck nation so what chance does India have if it really gets down to open conflict and this time around there is real danger of nuclear conflict....this guy should come back to reality.

Bewildered | 8 years ago | Reply @Vectra: My response to your balderdash is try us to know for real. You think Pakistan army is still the same as was in 1971 when you were able to overcome a cornered army stranded 1000 miles away from mainland then you are mistaken for sure. Judge your army's ability from 1962 war, or try us. We have so many revenges to take.

Waqas | 8 years ago | Reply I recommended @Vectra's comment because it really amused me. you should try as a stand up comedian.

Curious | 8 years ago | Reply @Vectra, there will be nothing left of Bharat(not India), india finished on 14 August 1947, so who will retaliate buddy?

Azi | 8 years ago | Reply Desperate attempts to revive the dead morale in Indian army and its lack of respect within Indian people. Go back to bird and planet catching, seems like its the only job for IA now.

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply Defence minister khwaza is responsible for all this mess and forced the Indian Army Chief to come out and issue a statement so as to clear the air in reminding the pakistani establishment as to who they are dealing with and what the India is capable of.The only difference is Indian Army Chief statement is based on practicality unlike Minister Khwaza hollow threat.

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan says it can defend itself but honestly i dont think so,pakistan cant defend itself against India massive force.2nd is pakistan says about nuclear but i bet INR 1000 that in war pakistan itself will not use its nuclear and would prefer to surrender.I am talking practically and anyone having doubt should place itself in pakistan army chiefs place and think twice.Sitting outside and making hollow threat of nuclear is easy but when in official position one will never use it.Using nuclear on India will take minutes but given India's robust air defense the chances of pakistans missile penetrating India is less at ratio may be 1:5 at least i think so.But then if India retaliates then it will turn everything into ashes.So only insane will use nuclear and pakistan army leadership i don't think they are insane irrespective of how much nuclear threat they make.

ziddi | 8 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Khan: O my God...you are playing too much single player video war games.Real war games are beyond your mental capacity.Relax for time being and think logically,is that so easy as you have described.

vin | 8 years ago | Reply @FAS: have you saw movie PHANTOM ?

Mr. Honest | 8 years ago | Reply For 1000 years Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims lived mostly in peace in the same country with no borders as neighbors and friends... Now they cannot live in 2 separate countries with a border separating them... Both countries have a lot to do when it comes to poverty, health, education of their citizens... Besides being tragic, wars are also very expensive. Who will benefit from a war between India and Pakistan? At least not the masses... Let peace prevail.

Guest | 8 years ago | Reply "Defending" also includes "Redefining".

Mac | 8 years ago | Reply Pak trusts it's nuclear weapons, bcoz at least they won't surrender

Muhammad Jawad Iqbal | 8 years ago | Reply armed forces and the whole nation must be ready for a proper response to the enemy. If we are scared of India there is no meaning in living on.

Kickass | 8 years ago | Reply @Vectra, even then he makes a fool of himself.

Pakistan | 8 years ago | Reply @FAS. Bless you. Nothing would be more apt and appropriate than your comment. You've got some sense of humour too.

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply pakistan thinks it is a victim and will use nuclear threat day in day out to blackmail neighbour and blackmail masters and brothers also to dole out money but forgot that once war is started stopping India is impossible and pakistan will again run to UN and Uncle Sam and brother China just like 2013 India's heavy offensive on LOC in retaliation to pakistan provocation and it was worst in pakistans LOC history that made pakistan looks so vulnerable that it literally pleaded India and UN and US to request India to stop offensive.In 2013 pakistan can even control just 2 days of offensive in LOC and let along handling a war involving massive tri-services forces of Indian Military.

Muhammad Khan | 8 years ago | Reply The Indians had started talking of a limited war soon after the Kargil War. The limited war doctrine consist of four things; firstly it will be swift war in a limited area and span of time, secondly excessive use of air power, thirdly this war has to be preceded by offensive diplomacy by the Indian government and fourthly not capturing Pakistani territory but dismantling their military capabilities in the particular chosen sector so that the Pakistani nuclear reaction is avoided. However, such a limited war will not remain limited as was done by India in 1965 after Operation Gibralter launched by Pakistan on the now LoC. Also the Indians will have to concentrate their Air Force assets close to the area of conflict exposing them as easy targets for the Pakistani SSMs (Surface to Surface Missiles) including its cruise missiles-thus the Indian Air Force may be crippled in less than a day time. Such crippling of Indian Air Force will compel them to launch their long range fighters like SU-30 MKI from far away bases thus giving ample warning and time of reaction to Pakistan Air Force to kill them before they reach the theater of War.Pakistan battle hardened Army will take out the Indian Army assets in the theater easily with their superior skills, artillery and Al Nasar short range missile using conventional warheads. So let the Indians keep boasting of a limited war or Cold Start doctrine but in fact they know that such an adventure means the death to Indian Army and Indian Air Force-hence they will think million times before such an adventure.Moreover, the only part of Limited War Doctrine so far seen is the offensive diplomacy by Modi by visiting UAE indirectly hitting Pakistan therein and another such event was the visit by Indian Air Force fighter aircraft to King Fahad Air Base Taif, Saudi Arabia from Aug 01 to Aug 03, 2015.This was the maiden visit by Indian Air Force aircraft to Saudi Arab. These events were aimed to show Pakistan that its traditional allies UAE and Saudi Arab are now good friends of India. Hence we should not relax and our Foreign Office must evolve a strategy and putting it into actions to foil these nefarious designs of India.

aam shehri | 8 years ago | Reply @Vectra A person who rarely speaks should be a man who is unable to speak in front of its counterpart. Our general frequently speaks and delivers more as he speaks!! Gear up your General dear..

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply FAS Joker is the army chief whose soldiers are attacked by both the afghan and Iranian border guards.

Vicky | 8 years ago | Reply Now evergreen nuclear warning is coming from Pakistan's side :)

Deepak | 8 years ago | Reply Hahaha one indian statement keeps pak establishment busy for 2,3 days in replying process

Asad | 8 years ago | Reply @Prakash: LOL your comment was actually of good humor. and this is coming from a Pakistani :)

Point | 8 years ago | Reply @Rohit: Why are you so concerned about what we do or where we spend ?

Shadow | 8 years ago | Reply Why defending all the time it, should be aggressive over Indian military all the time

Rohit | 8 years ago | Reply Relax...why get worried when pak has nuclear bomb.... . but my question is if nuclear bomb is the saviour of Pakistan, then why Pakistan keeps large army and spend billions on defence budget ?

Prakash | 8 years ago | Reply Actually I am excited by the idea of a 'limited war'. Let both sides fix a time and place away from the civilian habitation, and engage in a T20 version of war. Both sides will be able to let off steam, and there wouldn't be any more need for LOC firing. We can even make it an annual event. Oh, and BTW, Hurriyat is welcome to participate.

Kolsat | 8 years ago | Reply Anyone who reads the statement by general Suhag can see that he was not threatening Pakistan but merely saying that India needs to remain alert. Now as a result of his statement Pakistanis will get over excited and make wild statements. Just watch this paper for next few days.

Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Indians have been talking about this sort of war since at least the time of Kargil. This isn't some new idea that was devised by someone like Christine Fair. Its been around before she plagiarized the idea, and it isn't anything new so it shouldn't be in the news.

Chaiman Wow | 8 years ago | Reply Uncle Sam wants a war in Asia.

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply If pakistan want to escalate confrontation with India so be it.

Vectra | 8 years ago | Reply Indian Army chief never speaks frequently like pakistani counterparts.He speaks very less only once once or twice and his speaking is not as usual or hollow threat its a practical warning that either mend your ways or face military action.How pakistan defends it is upto pakistan but India will go for massive offensive should the need arises.

Amazed | 8 years ago | Reply effects of a mega stupid film like Phantom now getting hold of senior most of Indian highups...I hope they show maturity, sobriety, eloquence and common sense...we two nations are not run of the mill countries....we are nuclear capable....so every word should be thought out before uttering....Pak is equal to India and does not need any reminder....

Neutral | 8 years ago | Reply The only thing Free in this world is "Day Dreaming".

FAS | 8 years ago | Reply Is indian army cheif on drugs, or he tries to copy Rajnikanth dailog and movies. Thats what you get when you make a Joker the head of your army. Indians can fool themselves by making movies like Phantom.

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