Pakistan Warns of ‘Merciless Response’ to Indian Aggression: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: In a strongly worded statement, Pakistan’s military has issued a clear warning to India, vowing a “merciless” response to any provocation and rejecting parallels drawn between the two countries and the Middle East conflict.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), made these remarks in an interview with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, amid escalating regional tensions. “India is not Israel, nor is Pakistan Palestine,” the military spokesperson said, stressing that South Asia is not a testing ground for military adventurism.

He categorically denied Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam attack, calling them baseless and politically motivated. “We will not bow to threats or aggression. If provoked, we will respond with full force,” he asserted.

Accusations Against India and Evidence of Terror Sponsorship

Lt. Gen. Chaudhry accused India of being a “state sponsor of terrorism” in the region. He cited alleged involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in supporting terrorist groups operating inside Pakistan, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which he claimed had publicly sought Indian military support.

Referring to the deadly attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan, he claimed that prominent Indian political and military figures have openly backed insurgent groups. “We have undeniable evidence of India’s involvement, which has been submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ),” he added.

Pakistan a Victim of Terrorism

The military spokesperson underscored that Pakistan continues to be one of the worst victims of terrorism. Since January 2024, the country has experienced over 3,700 terrorist incidents, resulting in more than 1,300 deaths and over 2,500 injuries.

Despite these challenges, Pakistan has conducted multiple successful counterterrorism operations, many targeting groups allegedly supported by India, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry noted.

Kashmir: A Flashpoint of Conflict

On Kashmir, the DG ISPR reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding position that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory that should be resolved in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. He accused India of trying to alter the region’s demographic structure and committing widespread human rights violations.

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He rejected India’s attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident, emphasizing that the unrest in Kashmir is a direct consequence of New Delhi’s policies, particularly the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.

Ceasefire Violations and Military Engagement

Lt. Gen. Chaudhry revealed that Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian aircraft — including three Rafale jets — in response to Indian aggression. He claimed that while one Pakistani aircraft sustained minor damage, it would soon return to service.

“We even know where the injured Indian pilots are being treated,” he said, accusing India of hiding casualties and damage from its public.

He added that despite Pakistan’s adherence to the May 10 ceasefire agreement, any future Indian provocation would be met with a swift and forceful retaliation.