RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s military leadership on Friday vowed to confront and defeat India’s “deliberate destabilisation efforts” with resolve and clarity, as tensions spike between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The strong statement came during a Special Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. The meeting reviewed the prevailing geo-strategic environment, with a particular focus on the Pakistan-India standoff and broader regional security dynamics.
Tensions have escalated since the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed. India swiftly blamed Pakistan without presenting evidence and took a series of aggressive diplomatic steps—revoking Pakistani visas, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and closing the Wagah-Attari border. In response, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats, cancelled visas for Indian nationals except Sikh pilgrims, and shut its main border crossing.
Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack and offered to cooperate in a credible, transparent investigation.
At the conference, the military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against any external aggression or misadventure. General Munir praised the professionalism and readiness of the armed forces and highlighted the importance of vigilance across all fronts.
The forum condemned increased atrocities by Indian forces in IIOJK and the targeting of civilians along the Line of Control (LoC). It warned that such unprovoked acts would be met with a “resolute and proportionate response.”
The military also expressed concern over India’s tendency to externalise internal political failures, noting a pattern of exploiting crises to achieve strategic objectives—such as the 2019 Pulwama incident and the subsequent revocation of Article 370.
The Pahalgam attack, the forum observed, appears to be part of a calculated attempt to distract Pakistan from its economic recovery and gains on the western front. It further warned against India’s attempts to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a “dangerous attempt to weaponise water” that threatens millions of Pakistanis.
The army reiterated that India’s state-sponsored terrorism and proxy warfare would be firmly countered. “Pakistan’s path to peace and development will not be derailed,” the forum declared, pledging full readiness to defend the nation on all fronts.
