Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned the international community that any military aggression by India could lead to a full-scale war, urging the world to be concerned about the potential conflict between two nuclear-armed nations.
In an interview with the UK’s Sky News programme The World with Yalda Hakim, Asif rejected India’s allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the recent attack in Pahalgam, labeling it a “false flag operation” by New Delhi.
“The world should be worried about the possibility of a full-fledged war between two nuclear powers,” he said, adding that while tensions are high, he still hopes the dispute can be resolved through dialogue.
The statement came in response to the attack in Pahalgam, a tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed in a shooting by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday. India has blamed Pakistan for the incident.
However, Khawaja Asif denied the claim and accused India of orchestrating the attack to malign Pakistan. He warned that the Pakistan Army is fully prepared to respond to any situation amid rising tensions and diplomatic maneuvers.
“If India initiates anything, we will respond in kind,” he asserted. “If there is an attack or any such action, it will inevitably lead to open war.”
When asked if the world should be concerned, Asif replied, “Yes, absolutely. A conflict between two nuclear-armed nations is always alarming. If things spiral out of control, the consequences could be disastrous.”
According to Sky News, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue those responsible for the attack “to the ends of the earth.” When asked if he blames India for the attack, Asif responded emphatically: “Yes, yes, absolutely. They create such circumstances.”
He reiterated the need for resolving issues through diplomatic means and dialogue.
Responding to a question about whether U.S. President Donald Trump should intervene in the escalating crisis, Asif said, “Certainly. He is the leader of the only global superpower and is already engaged in various flashpoints around the world.”
“This is another flashpoint between two nuclear-armed countries with a history of tension,” he added. “If a global power can intervene to help de-escalate the situation, it would be beneficial.”
He concluded by warning that if India initiates any action, Pakistan will have no choice but to respond with full force.
