Islamabad (National Times): Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has expressed Pakistan’s readiness to “wrap up” tensions with India following India’s Operation Sindoor, a military operation that saw the Indian Armed Forces destroy nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people.
Speaking to Bloomberg Television hours after India’s airstrikes on targets in locations including Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, and Kotli, Asif emphasized Pakistan’s defensive stance, stating, “Pakistan will only respond if attacked.” He added, “We have been saying all along in the last fortnight that we’ll never initiate anything hostile towards India. But if we’re attacked, we’ll respond. If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension.”
Asif’s remarks come amid heightened military activity, with Pakistan claiming retaliatory shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and alleging civilian casualties, including a child, while India has denied Pakistan’s claims of downing Indian aircraft. The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been closed, and India has suspended all flights from Chandigarh’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport as precautionary measures.
On the prospect of diplomatic talks to de-escalate the situation, Asif indicated that he was unaware of any planned engagements, signaling uncertainty about immediate negotiations. The minister’s comments reflect Pakistan’s cautious approach, balancing a call for de-escalation with a warning of retaliation if provoked further.
International observers, including the United States and the United Nations, have urged both nations to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation. Asif’s statement marks a potential opening for calming the volatile situation, though the path to dialogue remains unclear amid ongoing military alertness on both sides.
