Pakistan capable of responding to Indian actions: Defence minister

Published October 9, 2014
Defence Minster Khawaja Asif. — File photo
Defence Minster Khawaja Asif. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's defence minister said on Thursday that the country is capable of responding “befittingly” to Indian actions on the border after several days of clashes in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

“We do not want the situation on the borders of two nuclear neighbours to escalate into confrontation,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in a statement. “India must demonstrate caution and behave with responsibility.”

Defence minister's reaction comes against the backdrop of an earlier statement by his Indian counterpart Arun Jaitley where he 'warned' Pakistan to stop shelling in the disputed region.

Also read: India's defence minister warns Pakistan over LoC skirmish

“If Pakistan persists with this adventurism, our forces will make cost of this adventurism unaffordable for it,” Arun Jaitley had told journalists in New Delhi. “Pakistan should stop this unprovoked firing and shelling if it wants peace on the border.”

At least two Pakistanis were killed in latest firing by Indian troops along the working boundary between India and Pakistan, raising the death toll to 12 and injured to 43.

The situation along the India-Pakistan working boundary is still volatile as a heavy exchange of fire continues.

Military sources say that Pakistani troops are responding to the unprovoked Indian firing and are only targeting military positions and not civilian areas as claimed by the Indian military.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...