Will inflict heavy losses on India if war hysteria overcomes its leadership: Defence minister

Khawaja Asif says Pakistan believes in peace but is prepared to give a befitting response

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Thursday Pakistan believes in peace but knows how to respond to any aggression.

“We want peace but will inflict heavy losses on India if war hysteria overcame its leadership,” Asif said, while speaking at a Radio Pakistan programme.

Commenting on Indian Army Chief Dalbir Singh’s statement that his forces should be ready for a short war, the defence minister said, “Pakistan is fully prepared to give a befitting response if India imposes a short or a prolonged war.”

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Further, the defence minister pointed out that Pakistan Army foiled designs of Indian forces in 1965 and now they are more experienced and professional.

“Our forces are engaged in the war against terror for several years and they know how to respond to any challenge,” he said.

Khawaja Asif said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif believes in peace but when it comes to survival of the country we would not hesitate in offering any sacrifice.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.