Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday cautioned that rising political pressure on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could provoke another military confrontation, warning that any such move would be met with a firm response and could reverberate globally.
In an interview with Geo News, Asif said Modi’s domestic political standing had eroded, leaving him “cornered and unpredictable” ahead of India’s upcoming general elections. “If Modi acts out of desperation, Pakistan will not stay silent. Our response will be swift and decisive,” he said. “And it won’t go unnoticed by the international community.”
Asif’s remarks come days after Pakistan and India agreed to an immediate ceasefire on May 10, bringing a halt to a brief but intense military flare-up that pushed the nuclear-armed rivals perilously close to open war. The truce was brokered with backing from the United States and what Asif described as “other friendly countries.”
“There was no pressure on us. We chose restraint,” he said. “For four days, we waited for India to come to its senses.”
The defence minister also claimed that Pakistan achieved what he called a “multi-dimensional victory,” citing both military success and cyber warfare capabilities. He said Pakistani forces downed five Indian aircraft and one surveillance drone during the conflict, and that Indian digital infrastructure was disrupted in coordinated cyber operations.
“India’s cyber networks were neutralised in a matter of hours,” he said. “It was the first time digital warfare played a central role in such a conflict.” He added that global perceptions of Pakistan had shifted, saying: “Those who once dismissed us now view us with greater respect.”
On Kashmir, Asif hinted at a possible thaw. “India, for the first time in years, appears willing to talk,” he said, calling it a diplomatic opening for Pakistan, though no formal dialogue has yet been announced.
The recent escalation was sparked by a deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed. India swiftly accused Pakistan-based actors of orchestrating the assault, though it has yet to present public evidence. Pakistan rejected the allegations, calling them baseless.
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